PPT4: Colors Reduced in Imported TIFF Images

ID: Q148528

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Office for the Macintosh, versions 4.2, 4.2.1
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 5.0
  • Microsoft PowerPoint for Macintosh, versions 3.0, 4.0
  • Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1

SYMPTOMS

If you import a 24-bit (16.8 million color) TIFF image into a Microsoft Office program, such as PowerPoint, the number of colors in the image may appear to have been reduced.


CAUSE

The TIFF import filter reduces the color depth of 24-bit TIFF images to 8- bit (256 colors.) To do this, it uses a standard, generic 256-color palette. This reduction of color depth to a standard palette can result in a loss of color. TIFF images that have a color depth of 8-bits or less are not changed.


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article. This problem was corrected in Microsoft PowerPoint 98 Macintosh Edition.


RESOLUTION

There are two ways to prevent the loss of color. Both of these methods require that you have a program (such as Adobe PhotoShop) that can open and edit TIFF images.

Method 1: Import the Graphic in another Format

  1. Open the TIFF image in a program such as PhotoShop. Save it as a PICT file.


  2. Insert the PICT file into PowerPoint. PowerPoint can read PICT images without using a filter. The image will not be converted to an 8-bit color image.


Method 2: Use a Graphic Editing Program to Optimize the Pallette

Convert the TIFF file to an 8-bit color image with an optimized palette. (NOTE: The instructions given here assume you are using PhotoShop. Other photo-editing programs have similar capabilities.)
  1. Open the TIFF image.


  2. On the Mode menu, click Indexed Color.


  3. In the Indexed Color dialog box, click 8-bit, and then click Adaptive.


  4. Click OK.


  5. Save the image.


  6. Insert the picture into PowerPoint.


NOTE: The picture will still be a 256-color picture, but it will use the best 256 colors out of 16.8 million possible choices. This will reduce or eliminate any loss of color.


MORE INFORMATION

The third-party products discussed here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

Additional query words: 4.00 powerpt 5.00 6.00 excel word Appear Posterized posterization poster4.00

Keywords : kbgraphic kbinterop kbdta
Version : MACINTOSH:3.0,4.0,4.2,4.2.1,5.0,6.0,6.0.1
Platform : MACINTOSH
Issue type : kbprb


Last Reviewed: November 18, 1999
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