Symbol font not usable in inserted graphics, any fix?

[Meg]

When I insert an EPS file (with embedded fonts) into PPT,
Symbol font characters do not appear on screen and do not
print. Instead there is a little square box. The computer
has Symbol fonts in its system, and I use Symbol fonts in
other applications. Why do they not appear in the PPT
inserted graphic? Is there anything I can do to get this
to work?

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Every version of PPT has its own quirks re EPS. Which version are you
using?

Also, are you printing to a PostScript printer or a non-PostScript printer?

If the latter, can you get the graphics supplied to you in some format other
than EPS? It's really only meant for use with PS printers.

 

[Meg]

I am using PowerPoint 2000 on Windows 2000. I am printing
to a PostScript printer. I would like to keep the graphics
in EPS format if at all possible, for the improved
resolution that gives. But I would try other formats if
that's what it takes.

Since I sent in this message yesterday, I have switched all
the Symbol characters to Euclid Symbol, and do now see the
missing characters on the screen and on the printout. But
my preference would be to use the Symbol font.

Thanks for responding. Any suggestions?

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Do you have any other versions of PPT installed on the same computer? That
can affect the way PPT handles EPS.

I'd be happy to have a look at the EPS if you like. Email me a copy at
steve at-sign steverindsberg dot com

 

[Echo S]

Just gonna toss this in the mix...

We see problems with Symbol font and EPS files here, but it's usually when
saving as WMF or sending to Word as opposed to inserting EPS into PPT. The

= sign we use in Symbol turns into a question mark. When you're dealing

with medical data, that's a big no-no, as I'm sure you can imagine.

Personally, I think it has something to do with the font itself. Or maybe
it's something about the TT version of Symbol vs the PS part of the EPS?
(Although I'm 99% positive I don't even *have* TT Symbol on my machine
anymore, only the PS version...)

Echo

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

We see problems with Symbol font and EPS files here, but it's usually when

saving as WMF or sending to Word as opposed to inserting EPS into PPT. The
with medical data, that's a big no-no, as I'm sure you can imagine.

Personally, I think it has something to do with the font itself. Or maybe
it's something about the TT version of Symbol vs the PS part of the EPS?
(Although I'm 99% positive I don't even *have* TT Symbol on my machine
anymore, only the PS version...)

I'm guessing along the same lines. Different versions of Symbol and/or
multiple installed version insanity.

For example, if the graphic were created in Illustrator, it might be using a
PS version of Symbol from its own private stash o' fonts - it installs its
own little collection that only it can use, or will if you don't beat it
severely enough during install. When PPT had a look, it'd likely use the TT
version of Symbol, IF it needs to render a font.

Why would it need to do that, though? It might if the EPS has a WMF preview.
Or if a later version of PPT is also installed, one of the versions that
attempts to create a preview for the EPS. Shoot ... THAT rasterizer might
have its own private set of base PS fonts, come to think of it. Oh what fun
this turns into eh?

 

[Meg]

Thank you Steve and Echo for your replies.

I do have an older version of PPT on the computer. I could
probably do without it if that would help.

Since the problem only occurs with the Symbol font, I agree
that it is most likely due to the font itself. When I am
in Illustrator using Find/Font and search for fonts on the
System, the Symbol font only appears as an Open Type Font
(OTF). I would think it should appear as a Standard Font.
I am using a brand new IBM computer that was just set up.
Maybe all I need to do is download a form of the Symbol
font that I am missing.

I will send Steve Rindsbergh that one PPT slide with the
inserted Fig. 4 in its undoctored state that includes the
Symbol fonts, which do not appear for me. Maybe they will
show up on your computer. Thanks.

Meg

 

[Meg]

Thanks to this dialogue, I have been able to correct the
problem. I located the symbol.ttf font file in WINNT and
dragged a copy of it to the Adobe fonts folder. Now when I
insert the EPS file into a PPT slide, the Symbol characters
all appear.

Very grateful.

 

[Echo S]

Woohoo!

I'll try that in my office, too. Maybe it will help with the reverse
(which is what I struggle with) as well. I doubt it, but I'm still gonna
try.

Echo