New logo guidelines and web design elements posted

[chasd at silveroaks.com]

> From: Gain Paolo Mureddu <gmureddu at prodigy.net.mx>

> Speaking of print... Do you have information (besides the one at their
> site) when will the SVGP spec will be ratified and implemented?

Sorry, no. I expect as with any standards ratification, the timeline is 
not set in stone.

> Are there any
> programs to manipulate EPS?

First, a bit about EPS.
EPS stands for Encapsulated PostScript. An EPS file is actually a 
PostScript program, meant to be executed at print time. In practice, a 
given EPS file can only be edited by the program that originates it. 
Because each vector drawing application can create and use proprietary 
PostScript functions within the EPS, if an application different from 
the originating program tries to edit the EPS, there will be some 
problems translating the original PostScript functions into the 
proprietary functions of the application attempting to edit the EPS.

By the way, the term "proprietary" as used here does not only apply to 
closed source applications. For example, if the KOffice program 
Karbon14 used different PostScript functions  from Inkscape, there 
might be be translation issues, even though both applications are open 
source. However, since both applications are open source, the 
developers of each application would be able to more easily work 
together to fix translation problems, or perhaps even collaborate on a 
library both programs could use to read/write EPS files.

In the graphics industry, having an EPS file not editable is considered 
a Good Thing in many cases. That way any logo you distribute can't 
easily be modified, which is highly desirable. This is why I recommend 
distributing native formats as well as formats that are good for 
distribution. In fact, it is possible to keep the native format files 
under stricter control, such as only having them available on request.

In answer to your question about vector drawing tools, I assume you are 
focussed on the Linux platform. Besides Inkscape and the previously 
mentioned Karbon14 ( Killustrator/Kontour ), there is a GNUStep 
application called Cenon. I have used Inkscape the most of those three, 
although nott as much as Adobe Illustrator or Aldus/Macromedia/Adobe 
Freehand.

> I mean I know encapsulated postscript or PDF
> are a better way to handle printing, but how would you adjust color (to
> CMYK for instance) with those formats?

Besides hacking on the PostScript with a text editor, open the file in 
the originating application.

Charles Dostale
System Admin - Silver Oaks Communications
http://www.silveroaks.com/
824 17th Street, Moline  IL  61265