MathType currently works with several word processors and page layout programs for Windows. The standard technique is to copy the equation from MathType and then paste it into your application via the clipboard. This method uses a graphic format known as the standard Windows Metafile Format (WMF). Unfortunately, there are some applications that have not properly implemented the Metafile Format. As a result, these applications will be unusable with MathType.

WMF allows a graphic to be scaled at any size for the screen and printer. Using the WMF format allows MathType to write font information within the graphic. As a result, the WMF must be used for the high-quality printouts that MathType requires. In doing so, we are following the standard specifications for windows graphics.

Rather than use the Standard WMF, many of these applications try to convert the WMF into their own special format. If the application converts a WMF improperly, the equation appears as garbage on the screen and printout. Other applications break the equation into individual, improperly placed objects.

Alternatively, we could have chosen MathType to output bitmap images (BMP), but this leads to a low-quality, bit-map image on the printout. As a result, we decided the WMF format was the best decision.

The only way to place equations into many of these incompatible applications is by importing Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) files from MathType. However, you must have a PostScript printer to print EPS files. When using EPS files, you must manually download our fonts to your PostScript printer by using the PSD.EXE program we supply on our disk - refer to the MathType manual for more details. There are other public domain PostScript font downloading applications you may use that can be found on bulletin boards or CompuServe.

If you are having problems with a program that doesn’t support WMFs, please contact the manufacturer and let them know. Mention you are having difficulty pasting WMFs into their application. Hopefully the manufacturer will decide to solve their problems in an upcoming release.

Top of page

TechNotes Home | TechNote Wizard | Contact us

Follow MathType: