Expert: LizaL - 3/7/2005

Question
I get the error File Not Found -43 in Quark Xpress when I try to place a jpeg file (via "get picture) that was edited/created in Photoshop (i.e. a jpeg from a flattened psd). I can place jpegs into a Quark Express Document via "get picture"  that I get off of the web and have NOT been edited in Photoshop. I have a very old version (v3.32)of Quark Xpress. I get
the same error in Quark Xpress with files created in an older version of Photoshop (v4.0) and in a v8.0 Tryout of Photoshop. I'm not sure if it's becuase it's an old version of Quark or that I am just skipping a step/setting in Photoshop. Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks.  

Answer
Hi Janet,

I don't use Quark any more, so I can't try and re-create your problem. But I did some research, and came up with a couple of things to consider.

First off, I don't think you're doing anything wrong. As long as you're creating a picture box in Quark and using the Get Picture command to place a picture within that box, I think what you're doing is OK. But I think the problem lies with two things: 1. the graphic itself    2. your Quark Xtensions.

Here's what I'm thinking:

-- It might have something to do with the way in which the JPEG was compressed. You say that when you edit an image in Photoshop and then try and import it into Quark, you get the error, yet you don't get the error with Web JPEGs. This could be due to the compression that's added when you edit and save the image in Photoshop.

It could be that the Web graphics you import have either a different form of compression applied, or no compression at all. I mean, with Web graphics, it's not exactly like you know what the author did to them before he/she uploaded them.


-- Although JPEG is a supported file format in Quark, it relies on a Quark XTension for import. This Xtension is called JPEG Import, and has to be present (installed in the XTensions folder) in order for the graphic to decompress. If you're missing that XTension, it could be causing your JPEGs not to import.


Those are the two biggest things I can think of that could be causing your problem. But I can also offer this: As I mentioned, JPEG is supported by Quark (as long as you have the right XTension installed for importing them) -- but JPEG isn't exactly the preferred file format for print graphics.

Most page layout programs prefer graphics in the TIFF and EPS formats, mostly because these are more compatible when printing -- which is the ultimate destination for a page layout file. One of the biggest differences between Web and print graphics is the color model used: Web graphics use RGB, and print graphics use CMYK.

You can look at the same color as RGB and CMYK and think it looks pretty "close" in hue and tonal range, but in truth, when it prints, it's going to be different. And of course, the method of printing has a lot to do with the final outcome of the graphic, as well.

The very structure of the two file formats differs greatly, too. JPEGs and GIFs are way different than EPSs and TIFFs, due to their construction, color model, and compression. And this has a lot to do with how these files will react, when placed in another program.


So that's where different file formats and color models come into play, and that's why certain formats are suggested over others, when it comes to page layout and printing.

But printing's a whole 'nother ball game. Not to get off on that track, suffice it to say that TIFF and EPS are the best formats to use when importing graphics into page layout programs like Quark and InDesign. So if I were you, I'd stick with those when designing something to be used in Quark.

TIFFs and EPSs do tend to be large files, but each offers its own form of compression when you save the file.


As far as your programs themselves, they're probably all right, albeit old -- but the only problem age might cause is that it might be the reason you don't have that Quark XTension necessary for importing JPEGs.


Here's a good document I found concerning file formats and importing them:
http://www.quepublishing.com/articles/article.asp?p=169496&seqNum=2

You might also browse the Quark site for support, and here's a good article to start you off:
http://euro.quark.com/en/service/desktop/support/techinfo/technotes.jsp?idx=36#f...


(BTW, I started using Quark when it first came out; I used it and taught it for close to 10 years. But I quit when Quark held  out and wouldn't upgrade their product for Mac's introduction of OS X. I started using InDesign for page layout, and still do.)

Anyway, I hope this helps -- if I find anything else I think would be of interest to you about this, I'll append a message to this one.

Lisa