What Is a True EPS File?
EPS files fall under a category that Internet users may not hear much about -- PostScript. Any time you are dealing with PostScript, you are dealing with a description of some sort. The key to recognizing and understanding the role of EPS is in knowing more about PostScript and its components.
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PostScript Language
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The purpose of the PostScript language is to provide information on layout. This is useful when a designer wants to build a page that maintains its shape after printing. While many people may not recognize this language by definition, one form of PostScript is often seen on websites -- PDF. PostScript has a number of subsets much like XML. These are separate sub-languages that stem from the PostScript syntax. Encapsulated Postscript, or EPS, is in this category.
Encapsulated PostScript
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Encapsulated PostScript is a sub-language that deals with graphics. EPS describes that way a picture should look on a page and the processor draws the object based on that information. Image files appear in many formats, but most are already rendered by the time the browser gets them. Some languages, such as SVG and EPS, provide a written set of instructions on how to make the image instead of a picture of it. The data in the file creates a bounding box that assists the processor in generating the page layout. Inside the box is information that helps the processor render a model using the PostScript syntax.
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File Extension
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One effective way to identify a true Encapsulated PostScript file is via the file extension. PostScript files have assigned extensions, just as with all formats. For images made with Encapsulated PostScript, you should look for an extension of ".eps" at the end of the file name. This is a marker that tells you right away that a file is written in EPS. As with most images, EPS files often sit inside another page and identifying those takes a little effort.
Embedded EPS
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EPS can be found in another form of PostScript file, such as a PDF. To recognize embedded EPS files, you will need to examine the source code of the host file. You can use software such as Adobe PostScript 3 to open up a file as this company developed the language. Many desktop publishing programs will allow you to view and edit a native PostScript file, as well. After you have the source code exposed, you should do a search for ".eps."
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