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EPS is a legacy file format used by graphic designers to store quality images of logos and illustrations. So, should you be using EPS? And more importantly, how do you open and edit one?
What Is an EPS File?
EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) is a file format with the .eps extension. Adobe developed it in the late 1980s to encapsulate all the data in their PostScript vector graphic format in a single file, along with text and bitmap images for easy viewing and editing.
Though already considered a legacy format, many people still use EPS files for the following reasons:
EPS files really are versatile, with a broad range of uses, which is why they remain so popular.
How to Open and View EPS Files
Opening and editing EPS files onAdobe design and editing applicationsshould be easy, as they were designed for use with software like Illustrator and Photoshop.
To open and edit EPS files on Adobe applications, clickFileand hitOpen. You can then locate the EPS file on your computer to view and edit. Alternatively, drag and drop the EPS file on the opened Adobe application or its shortcut icon.
If you don’t use any of those applications, there are still ways to open EPS files using open-source image editing software like GIMP. Since EPS files come with a raster/bitmap image, viewing EPS files can be done on just about any raster image editor. Opening EPS files on non-Adobe applications should be the same as opening any regular image, usually by clicking onFileand hittingOpento locate the file you want to view.
How to Edit EPS Files in Inkscape
Though viewing EPS files can be done on just about any image editor, editing EPS is limited to those that support PostScript formats, such as Illustrator and Photoshop.
If you don’t have any of these apps, editing EPS on free, open-source applications such as Inkscape is also possible, but you will have to install extra software like Ghostscript to add PostScript support for Inkscape.
Download:Inkscape(Free)
Go to theofficial Ghostscript download site, where you will be provided with four different options. To add PostScript support, select the first link (Postscript and PDF interpreter/renderer).
Now, select the proper platform and license for your use. For general private use, you should download from the GNU license column.
Windows users can choose between the 32-bit and 64-bit versions. If your PC is old (over 15 years old) and you’renot sure if it’s running 32-bit or 64-bit, try downloading the 32-bit version just to be safe.
Linux users with snap support should download Ghostscript snap for Linux x86. For other platforms like macOS, you can try downloadingGhostscript Source.However, you will have tobuild Ghostscript from sourceusing Unix-based operating systems like macOS.
After downloading the proper Ghostscript app, install Ghostscript like you would with a regular application.
List Ghostscript to System Variables
Once you install Ghostscript, it’s time to add the Ghostscript binary and library to the system variables list so that Inkscape can access Ghostscript’s PostScript support.
Windows users can open Environment Variable by searching forview advanced system settingusing the Start menu search bar and pressing Enter. Go to theAdvancedmenu and click onEnvironment Variables.
In theSystem variablessection, selectPathand hitEdit. The edit environment variable menu will appear. Now add the path forbinandlibby clicking on New and pasting each folder address.
Once added, click OK, and you should now be able to edit EPS files using Inkscape.
In addition to Inkscape, you may also use alternative paid apps like CorelDRAW without installing extra applications like Ghostscript.
EPS is a vector file format that supports scalable images and transparent backgrounds by storing image data as vectors.
Though the same can be said for other vector file formats, PostScript file formats like EPS have the advantage of using PostScript-compatible printers to ensure accurate prints of images for various kinds of medium. This is not necessarily true for other vector formats since they weren’t designed for print, and compatibility with printers was not a consideration.
But why use a legacy format over newer PostScript formats like AI?
Unlike newer PostScript formats like AI, EPS does not require Adobe applications to view or edit PostScript files reliably. Some designers may save files as EPS to ensure that anyone can view and edit their designs, regardless of what software they use. Of course, if you’re the only one editing your work or are only sharing your art with other Adobe users, then using AI would be better as it provides more editing capabilities than EPS while also taking up less memory space.
