If it is for security reasons they would have to drop pdf-support as well as pdf allows for embedded scripts for example for form validation.
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Preview App on macOS Ventura Drops Support for PostScript Files
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Honestly not. I'd be very interested to know why PDFs can't be drop-in replacements. I've done this countless times in InDesign, with all kinds of layer effects applied.
Whenever I've discussed EPS on the Adobe forums, staff members have said "you should be moving to PDF".
As a non-designer, I'm genuinely curious why a PDF couldn't be used where you currently use an EPS. What's so special about them?
I wonder if any of this is because of Adobes following move:
Adobe will disable support for authoring with Type 1 fonts by January 2023
Type 1 fonts were introduced by Adobe in 1984 for use with its PostScript page description language, and became widely used with the spread of desktop publishing software and printers that could use PostScript. In 1996, Adobe products and type development began to concentrate on the use of more versatile OpenType fonts rather than Type 1.
Most browsers and mobile OSes do not support Type 1 fonts. Similarly to Adobe, most operating systems will move forward with support for the more robust technical possibilities of OpenType format fonts, ending support for the Type 1 format.
Adobe will disable support for authoring with Type 1 fonts by January 2023
Overview
Type 1 fonts, also known as PostScript, PS1, T1, Adobe Type 1, Multiple Master, or MM are a format within the font industry that has been replaced by larger glyph sets.Type 1 fonts were introduced by Adobe in 1984 for use with its PostScript page description language, and became widely used with the spread of desktop publishing software and printers that could use PostScript. In 1996, Adobe products and type development began to concentrate on the use of more versatile OpenType fonts rather than Type 1.
Most browsers and mobile OSes do not support Type 1 fonts. Similarly to Adobe, most operating systems will move forward with support for the more robust technical possibilities of OpenType format fonts, ending support for the Type 1 format.
Maybe so, but EPS is not an uncommon format. It might be uncommon for those not working in design and graphics industries, but EPS is really quite common. Heck, even I as a non-designer used EPS when some years ago I had time and liked to design for others flyers and other printed materials (non-monetary).
Why not use MacTeX, with its TeXShop editor, which automatically compiles LaTeX source files into pdf? The old workflow of .tex -> .dvi -> .ps/.eps -> .pdf is outmoded.
In the past, I have used Ghostscript to batch convert EPS files to PDF using a command line.
This is bound to happen with people wanting touchscreen Macs. This way they can make macOS compatible with touchscreen devices like the iPad.
I think you are reaching just bit there.
I think this helps a little bit, but what they’re probably most likely going by is actual usage. All those people who allow usage statistics are deciding what is important and what is not important for macOS. If features don’t get used ever then they become irrelevant.Please - everyone - submit feedback on this.
Feedback - macOS
Apple wants to hear from you. Send us your comments and feedback about macOS.www.apple.com
Tell them to stop!
Apple can’t go by people submitting feedback, because sometimes a small minority of users can be really vocal about something. Usage statistics shows what people actually need.
FYI - it has been mentioned elsewhere that /usr/bin/pstopdf still exists and can convert PostScript to PDF
According to Microsoft:
This change was done in response to active security incidents involving files. EPS files allow embedded scripts, which makes them a means of malicious attack for anyone who inserts an EPS file or opens a document that has an EPS file in it. In spite of previous efforts to mitigate the problem in Office documents, the EPS format continues to be a source of malicious attacks. To completely eliminate the risk of EPS files containing malicious code, Office decided to entirely turn off the ability to insert them.
This change was done in response to active security incidents involving files. EPS files allow embedded scripts, which makes them a means of malicious attack for anyone who inserts an EPS file or opens a document that has an EPS file in it. In spite of previous efforts to mitigate the problem in Office documents, the EPS format continues to be a source of malicious attacks. To completely eliminate the risk of EPS files containing malicious code, Office decided to entirely turn off the ability to insert them.
This is a shock! I am dealing with them all the time, including making them and viewing them with Preview. Anyone who designs for printing, publishing etc. use EPS for logos, artwork etc. Windows has always had bugs with EPS and PS documents but if you are using a Mac no issues. Now the tables have turned.
This complicates moving to Ventura for anyone in the publishing field. Want to check in Finder which EPS document to send? Have to start Adobe/Affinity just to look at each one! Not cool and a huge waste of time.
This complicates moving to Ventura for anyone in the publishing field. Want to check in Finder which EPS document to send? Have to start Adobe/Affinity just to look at each one! Not cool and a huge waste of time.
I'm sure someone else could explain it better then I, but I will give it a long winded shot (still shocked).
It is workflow related. When dealing with people that are not designers or don't know what they are doing, EPS is straight forward. It always is what it says it is. If I say send me a PDF of their logo, I could end up with them opening a version of their logo in Word and exporting that as a pixelated mess to PDF and then sending it. An EPS version of the logo (for this example) is infinity scalable (vector graphic) to any size and is built normally in Illustrator or Affinity Designer.
So in short, it causes major headaches and frustrations for those in this business. A client running macOS Ventura will not be able to even view which EPS file to send since, normally, they do not possess the programs needed to open it. That was what Preview and Finder was for.
I expect someone to put out some sort of free EPS Preview type of application in the future but it doesn't come built in like every Mac has always had. Plus, this industry does not move fast at all.
Edit: Just to add, if you are asked by a print shop to send your logo, they expect an EPS file. Without Preview, most clients wouldn't know which one to send. Or which file in the email, from years ago, is the correct file. So many simple things become complicated. I have experienced all of that with clients on Windows. Now it comes to the Mac.
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Graphic Converter is an amazing App. It will open PS & EPS files so you can work with them easily & convert them to whatever you need. It’s inexpensive, reliable and gets regular updates… I don’t work for them, but this App is fantastic.
"Oh, he's asking for an EPS. I'll just convert this JPEG to EPS in Photoshop...." :lol: Never underestimate a client's ability to send you the wrong thing, whatever the format.
I did post a link on page 4 to a free QuickLook and viewer app that's been created by a very clever guy.
Adobe made the transition from PS based files to PDF based files in illustrator 10 if I'm not mistaken.
Not that that's relevant imo: if you download a file, your web browser shouldn't decide to add another extension, especially not if the result is that you have to manually strip it before you can use said file...
@benwiggy earlier mentioned the EPSview app that will let you view and preview EPS files. that might be a useful tool for your needs.
Thank you @benwiggy ! That will help a lot of people, once it comes time to upgrade.
And I totally forgot about all the vector files that I purchase are all in EPS.
LOL, yes, I am aware! But for most, that I deal with, they don't have anything that could make an EPS file, so it is an easier format compared to PDF when dealing with people that don't know.
And I totally forgot about all the vector files that I purchase are all in EPS.
You're right that it's never been a 'consumer' format. Apple's decision leaves it much as it was in Classic Mac OS -- just a file on your desktop that you can't open unless you've got the right app. But Professionals will continue to use it in Illustrator, InDesign, Quark, Affinity, as they've always done.
PDF was always designed as a replacement for PostScript. Printers now interpret PDF directly; prepress workflows go from PDF to plate; CUPS uses PDF as its default job file format; Type 1 fonts are now unsupported. EPS files are, or will be, the last remnant of PostScript in use. What their future will be: who knows?
I wonder if an option is to keep a copy of pre-Ventura Preview and install a copy after upgrading to Ventura.
I think I did that with QuickTime. There older version could read some formats and do certain kinds of edits that the new one couldn’t.
This is insanity considering the Mac is literally the defacto machine in the publishing industry. EPS is synonymous in daily graphic assets. Each release of Mac hardware and software makes me want to go to windows more. I have no idea how anyone thinks at Apple anymore. Product line is an convoluted over priced mess plagued with hardware flaws, non-upgradeability and glue making huge amounts of e-waste.. Each operating system and software upgrade (or lack there of) is becoming more bubblegum to serve the teen crowd. They better watch their steps, being a 30+ year Mac user, I am personally reaching my limits. it has been 11 years of dismantling the incredible catalogue Jobs created in his just over 13-14 years of restoring apple. We have an apple built on maximizing profits now, not building the tools to help people. What was the last piece of software apple actually made that turned heads...