What Is an EPS File?
A file with the EPS file extension is an Encapsulated PostScript file. They’re typically used by drawing applications to describe how to produce images, drawings, or layouts. They can contain both text and graphics to describe how the vector image is drawn, but they also usually include a bitmap preview image “encapsulated” inside. EPS is what early versions of the AI format was based on. Encapsulated PostScript files may also use the .EPSF or .EPSI file extension.
How to Open an EPS File
Open or edit EPS files with vector-based image editing applications. Other programs most likely rasterize, or flatten the file upon opening, which renders any vector information uneditable. However, like all images, EPS files can always be cropped, rotated, and resized. Photopea is an online image editor that’s probably the fastest way to view it online, from any web browser on any operating system. Google Drive also functions as an online EPS viewer. EPS Viewer, Adobe Reader, and IrfanView offer fast and effective tools for opening and resizing EPS files on a Windows PC. You can also view EPS files in Windows, Linux, or macOS if you open them in OpenOffice Draw, LibreOffice Draw, GIMP, XnView MP, Okular, or Scribus. Ghostscript and Evince work for either Windows or Linux, while Apple Preview, QuarkXpress, and MathType are EPS openers for Mac, specifically. Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Word (v2010 and older, through the Insert menu), and Affinity Designer also support the format, but they aren’t free to use.
How to Convert an EPS File
One easy way to convert it is to use Zamzar. It’s a free file converter that runs in your browser to convert EPS to JPG, PNG, PDF, SVG, and various other formats. FileZigZag is similar, and can save it to document file types like PPT, HTML, ODG, etc. EPS Viewer converts EPS to JPG, BMP, PNG, GIF, and TIFF. Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator can convert an open EPS file through their File > Save As menu. Photopea is a good option if you want to change the EPS file to a PSD file or a number of other formats, like ICO, TIFF, PPM, RAW, or DXF.
Still Can’t Open the File?
Verify that the file you’re using really is an Encapsulated PostScript file. You might have searched for the wrong file extension, which can happen if it’s spelled a lot like EPS. For example, ESP looks very similar to EPS but is instead the suffix used for plugins in The Elder Scrolls and Fallout video games. You’ll most likely get an error if you try opening an ESP file with the EPS openers and editors from above. EPP files are similar and are associated with several file formats, but none of them are related to an Encapsulated PostScript file. Some others you could be confusing for this one are EPM and EAP.
