File Extension .Eps

EPS stands for “Encapsulated PostScript” and this is the file extension used to open vector graphics and/or read bitmap graphics. Files with an EPS file extension are used to import and export PostScript files. The content of these PostScript files, along with its preview are contained in the EPS file. These contents may include but are not limited to 2D vector graphics data, bitmap images and text. EPS files can be opened in both Mac and Windows platforms.

There are certain rules however that applications need to follow in generating an EPS file that define a PostScript. These rules include Header and Bounding Box information where it specifically states that the EPS files should only have a single page and that it shouldn’t use operators that may affect the global state of the PostScript.

As of today, there are two different types of EPS files that exist. One type is more common – a vector-based graphics file. This type can be easily opened and edited for certain areas like type and color in different applications like Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw. This type of file can be imported or used into several applications as well for display purposes only like PageMaker, MS Word, Quark, and many more. And since this type is vector-based, the size can be modified and rescaled without degrading the output. The other type of EPS file is a picture type file which is a flattened and resolution-set photo file. This type of EPS file can be opened in many image editing applications like Photoshop and can be imported by different applications as well though the output will be degraded once it is resized or rescaled because it is a picture file.

Below are some of the programs that can open an EPS file: