EPS exports - Adobe Illustrator

I spend most of my free drawing time create microstock images that I submit to places like iStockphoto and Shutterstock.

Because these sites only accept version 8 eps files, and to assure that my Xara-created files will be accepted by these agencies, I must keep a copy of Adobe Illustrator on my computer.

I would really like to eliminate the need to keep illustrator on my machine, but since the output is unpredictable, I am not sure I have any choice. Financially it seems that it is somewhat redundant to have both. If the final work needs to be illustrator friendly, then why not just stop using Xara all together and accept that illustrator is the way to go.

I know the arguments as to why Xara is better. I love working with xara and I hate the idea that I have to use a particular application to have my work accepted, but unless I can find a way to output eps file that I do not have to "tweak" to get to be accepted, I am not sure that I will have a choice.

Anybody out there in the same situation?:confused:

I can feel your pain.
The only advice i can give you is to export your work as pdf
and import into illustrator.

Try it and let me know.

The same is with me --- I have to have AI to get a predictable result )))

I'm really sorry, but I don't feel the pain .......... If you have to have AI to ensure that your work is to a certain standard that the industry needs, then use AI.

I really can't agree with moaning that Xara doesn't do what you need in Adobe format, why do you have a right to expect it too? How many other applications go anywhere near Xara's Import and Export formats?

I think when you are working in the print industry and love xara and then have to hand over the files to clients then the standard is illustrator.
That is the point that we are expressing.

A proper import/export that would work with at least cs+ would help.
So yes it is essential if you do a lot of professional work for clients compared to that of doing it as a hobby.

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Originally Posted by ss-kalm

I'm really sorry, but I don't feel the pain .......... If you have to have AI to ensure that your work is to a certain standard that the industry needs, then use AI.

I really can't agree with moaning that Xara doesn't do what you need in Adobe format, why do you have a right to expect it too? How many other applications go anywhere near Xara's Import and Export formats?

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There you have it then, I'll just dump Xara for Illustrator. :o

To be honest, CorelDRAW has a pretty darn good set of import/export filters, but then again Corel has it's own issues. Color handling being one...for me at least.

I love xara, it is just that if illustrator crowd (ad agencies and users) want to switch over, there is a transition time that they still have to use illustrator files until xara overtakes the market in the vector department.

So for that to happen the export and import of illustrator should be optimal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ss-kalm

I'm really sorry, but I don't feel the pain .......... If you have to have AI to ensure that your work is to a certain standard that the industry needs, then use AI.

I really can't agree with moaning that Xara doesn't do what you need in Adobe format, why do you have a right to expect it too? How many other applications go anywhere near Xara's Import and Export formats?

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Because the standard is set, and they accept that standard. another might be better, but that won`t change a thing if you have to cater for the standard. Like I could make wonderfull video's in video 2000 or betamax
but if that won`t convert to VHS, it would be useless.

And yes, xara has many output capabilities, but if they aren`t picture perfect
for the standard, you still would have a problem.

I am not a pro, so I don`t have these problems, luckily, but if you do, it
might get mighty frustrating, I guess.

And since there is a version called Pro, you might expect that it would produce Pro standard outputs,

But I also heard that standards get changed by the standard makers, so
that would mean an endless uphill battle too. I feel sorry for everyone in this.
Maybe there should be NEN and ISO parametres be set or something like that. (this designing company is ISO 9002 certified. ;o) )

Hi,

from what I know, Postscript was created by Adobe from a Xerox original idea, so Adobe is actually the "owner" of all the develop; this means they can release new versions, extend the language, and moreover they "know" really how it works.

So for XARA it is a really endless run behind Adobe, trying to develop his own EPS reading/writing strategy or to do AI export. I think they have two choices to be realist:

1) - They focus on the XAR or on any Opensource format, and push it and improve it hoping that the market will recognize the value
2) - They purchase a licence & a library from Adobe, and let the Adobe library to write & read the AI file and the Postscripts EPS files instead of trying to develop their own libraries.

If XARA opts for option 2, this will have a cost increase for the product (due to the Adobe licence) but I am sure that it would be paid from professionals users that would have a most serious product without the need to buy two applications.:D

XARA could also create a version "Pro Plus" that contain the Adobe library, and the "Pro" that doesn't, so that non profit users that are not interested in import/export AI/EPS can still use XARA Xtreme "Pro" only enjoying the product.

Regards.

Roberto

excellent idea. I could have not said it any better.
They did make pantone the standard for pro, they can do what you suggested too.

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Originally Posted by antimix

If XARA opts for option 2, this will have a cost increase for the product (due to the Adobe licence) but I am sure that it would be paid from professionals users that would have a most serious product without the need to buy two applications.:D

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There is already a substantial cost for the Pro version $249US versus $89US for plain Xtreme. Xtreme Pro is just under 1/2 of the $599US list price of Illustrator.

Pro users are willing to pay for features. I originally bought several copies of Xreme Pro because of the features in the Pro version that were not in Xtreme. But, many of those same Pro features are now in Xtreme. :(

There is a big difference between Pantone and Adobe.
Xara does not compete with Pantone.

I can't see the problem with owning a copy of AI while using XX. Most XX users in your position would be quite envious that you have a solution on your computer for those common .eps woes.

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Originally Posted by PatentGuy

Pro users are willing to pay for features. I originally bought several copies of Xreme Pro because of the features in the Pro version that were not in Xtreme. But, many of those same Pro features are now in Xtreme. :(

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Yep, I know how you feel, but since I have it now, the upgrade difference
aint that much now, so now I stick with it, but the reason why I started
using Pro are now gone, maybe I need the other extra features someday, and
then it won`t matter anymore.

Since it seems to be stockphoto's or a bitmap output that you are wanting would Gimp not be a suitable alternative? Produce your vectors in Xara export them what ever way you want to get them into Gimp and then export as EPS from there as I believe that Gimp does produce quality EPS. I don't think many Pro users would back spending money on an export function which is now not used really by printers but gets around the font issues so that it is why it is used by the online printers.

Thanks Albacore,

Actually, I am looking to produce a vector eps, not raster.

If you want to keep them all vectors there are two other solutions for your problem, each with their own problems. Use Inkscape which I don't like which had an EPS export on the command line but you would need to change text to a path much like Xara. The other is to use one of these PDF converters like this one and export to EPS: http://www.e-pdfconverter.com/docume...ter/index.html

Similar situation here. I deal with alot of different companies to embroid/print logos on bags, t-shirts and tons of other promotion material. They ask for .eps files and if i sent them an exported Illustrator file from Xara they ring me back and tell me they can't open it. They mostly don't want PDF either (for some unknown weird reason) but sometimes i'm lucky they accept PDF. So i import the artwork into illustrator and from there i save it as .EPS. I do really only use Illustrator as an export tool..

Thankfully I did not have to buy my copy of Illustrator. I have a copy on my PC at work.

I do like the speed and ease of use of Xara but then again, I love some of the things I can do in Corel. If have to buy a copy of Illustrator just so can use Xara, then I am thinking it is not worth it. If I can buy illustrator and not upgrade Corel AND Xara, maybe it will be worth it. Plus, If I work with lllustrator to the point where I am comfortable enough to make the switch, then maybe I will find benefits in Illustrator that I was not seeing before.

Who knows, before you know it I may be working on a Mac. ;)

I am having exactly the same problem. Clients unable to use images exported from XPro as Illustrator files because they can't open them.

Damn, damn, damn :) I was hoping there was a fix for this by now.

I would have thought you could send it if it was going to be opened by AI in PDF form as that is one of its main formats! If your customer wants to add and edit and they state that they want a AI format ask them to open it as a Legacy formatted file and Xara only exports to Version 8 so if you use this method it has to be plain vectors with no special effects. Because of the huge increase in PDF and Xara working hard to improve this module Xara has done no development work in the AI export which is what you would expect.

Depending on the printer, I have seen them ask for anything from Version 4 onwards. From my limited experience, if you ask the printer what they really want, you can provide it most times.

Drawing with IA is not as sweet as doing it in Xpro. I truely agrivates me to try and draw with AI. I draw in xara, save as an .ai and then open with AI then save the work as whatever the printer needs.

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Originally Posted by Albacore

I would have thought you could send it if it was going to be opened by AI in PDF form as that is one of its main formats!

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Mmmmm ... try telling that to the stock photography companies :)

Brett