FM bloat (NO PDF)

[Dov Isaacs]

To clear up some misconceptions:
 
(1) EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) is a file format developed by Adobe,
not by Aldus 
or Altsys. It may contain almost any combination of PostScript graphic
objects including
text, vector, and raster.
 
(2) PostScript Level 2 fully supports JPEG compression. An EPS file can
readily 
contain JPEG-compressed images and compliant PostScript Level 2 (and
PostScript 3)
RIPs must fully support decoding of same. This has been part of the
PostScript standard
for nearly 15 years now! Note that EPS from Photoshop can include
JPEG-compressed
raster images in PostScript. Thus, if you have a RIP that cannot handle
JPEG-
compressed images, you really do have a very out-of-spec, defective RIP.
(For what
it is worth, we have no record of any problems with Adobe
PostScript-based RIPs
handling JPEG-compressed images in PostScript Level 2 or PostScript 3!)
 
(3) With most layout programs, for raster images other than those that
"come in" via
EPS, it is irrelevant whether the initial format is JPEG, GIF,
ZIP-compressed TIFF,
LZW-compressed TIFF, etc. The layout program typically decompresses the
image
and then outputs the resultant raster in a common format either through
directly or
driver-generated PostScript. This is indeed true for FrameMaker!
 
(4) The primary issue against use of GIF or JPEG formats is that of
lossiness,
either of detail or of color, and of imaging artifacts. For photographic
images at
reasonably high resolution, use of JPEG compression at maximum quality
is
typically not a problem. JPEG compression is a problem when trying to
use
it to present text or vector artwork as a compressed raster.
 
(5) The TrueType issue has been discussed ad nauseum. There is no good
technical reason to avoid properly created TrueType fonts from reputable
sources.
Within Adobe, we see as many problems from improperly created Type 1
fonts
as we do from improperly created TrueType fonts.
 
(6) Making blanket assertions about general "unreliability" of JPEG or
TrueType
as formats for raster compression and font technology respectively tends
to hurt 
the credibility of those who make such assertions.
 


________________________________

	From: framers-bounces+isaacs=adobe.com at lists.frameusers.com
[mailto:framers-bounces+isaacs=adobe.com at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf
Of Paul Findon
	Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2005 3:54 AM
	To: Joe Malin
	Cc: framers at lists.frameusers.com
	Subject: Re: FM bloat (NO PDF)
	
	

	On 5 Dec 2005, at 19:03, Joe Malin wrote:
	
	> They would be bigger than JPG.
	>
	> Are you suggesting that GIF or JPG are *not* used by
publishing
	> professionals?
	
	No, I'm just saying that pro print publishers generally prefer
EPS and
	TIFF because of their heritage and foolproof output on
PostScript
	output devices. EPS files being nuggets of PostScript (format
developed
	by Adobe, Aldus, and Altsys); LZW decompression for TIFF files
(format
	developed by Aldus and, surprisingly, Microsoft) was wired into
	PostScript Level 2 and later versions.
	
	Obviously, other formats work, too, but I don't like last-minute
	surprises, and try to avoid miles of film going in the trash
because a
	naughty file tripped up our PostScript imagesetter. I learned
the hard
	way 15 years ago with some home-brewed PostScript graphics...
	
	This may not be so relevant if you output to PDF, but since
Distiller
	is essentially a soft PostScript RIP, I always feed it EPS and
TIFF
	instead of lossy formats.
	
	Old habits die hard, I guess. And, no. I don't use TrueType
fonts ;-)
	
	Paul
	

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