Mac OS X QuickTips #71

CreativeTechs QuickTips #71

Week of December 12, 2005

Tip One: Save logos in PNG format for use in PowerPoint.

It sounds so easy: Your client casually asks for a copy of their new logo to use in PowerPoint.

Then the problems set in: EPS files are jagged and pixelated. TIFF or JPG files create a white box around the logo.

The answer: Save the logo as a PNG file.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is an updated bitmap format originally developed for use on the web. Among other benefits, it supports transparency and is compatible with recent versions of Microsoft Office.

Use Photoshop as a converter to open up existing EPS logos and re-save them as PNG. Saving PNG files out of Photoshop maintains the transparent areas -- so no white box. Adobe Illustrator can export PNG files directly.

Of course after you see what your clients are going to do with all those logos in PowerPoint you might regret this tip.

[Source: Inspired by a recent phone support call from the in-house creative department at Swedish Hospital.]

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