4
File Types and Naming
EPS files have become a standard format for importing and exporting
PostScript language files among applications in a variety of heterogenous
environments. This section contains specific information about file types
and naming conventions in a variety of environments.
4.1
Apple Macintosh File System
The Macintosh file type for application-created PostScript language files is
EPSF. Files of type TEXT are also allowed so users can create EPS files with
standard text editors. However, the DSC must still be strictly followed. A file
of type EPSF should contain a PICT resource in the resource fork of the file
containing a screen preview image of the EPS file. The file name may follow
any naming convention as long as the file type is EPSF. If the file type is TEXT,
the extensions .epsf, and .epsi should be used for EPS files with Macintosh-
specific and device-independent preview images, respectively. See sections
4.2
MS-DOS and PC-DOS File System
The recommended file extension is .EPS. For EPS files that provide an EPSI
preview, the recommended extension is .EPI. Because the name and exten-
sion may be user-supplied, it is recommended that the application provide a
default extension of .EPS or, if the file includes an EPSI preview, the applica-
tion can provide .EPI as the default extension.
4.3
Other File Systems
Although naming is file-system dependent, in general the extension .epsf is
the preferred way to name an EPS file. Likewise, .epsi is the preferred exten-
sion for the interchange format. In systems where lower-case letters are not
recognized or are not significant, all upper-case letters can be used.
5
Device-Specific Screen Preview
The EPS file usually has a graphic screen preview so it can be transformed
and displayed on a computer screen to aid in page composition before print-
ing. Depending on the capabilities of the importing application, the user may
position, scale, clip, or rotate this screen representation of the EPS file. The
composing software should keep track of these transformations and reflect
them in the PostScript language code that is ultimately sent to the printer.
The exact format of this screen representation is machine-specific. That is,
each computing environment may have its own preferred preview image for-
mat, which is typically the appropriate screen representation for that environ-
22
(1 May 92)