Microsoft KB Archive/70721

TIFF Graphic Displays and Prints Dark in WinWord 1.1a PSS ID Number: Q70721 Article last modified on 08-16-1993 PSS database name: APpsConV

1.10a

WINDOWS

Summary:

TIFF graphics imported via the external Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) graphics filter, TIFF.FLT, into Word for Windows version 1.1a may display and/or print dark, while the same TIFF images displayed and printed much lighter from earlier versions of Word for Windows.

This problem is corrected with the application note titled “Replacement Graphics Filters” for Word for Windows. You can obtain application notes by calling Microsoft Product Support Services at (206) 454-2030.

This application note is also available in the Software/Data Library by querying on the word WW0490, the Q number of this article, or S13163. WW0490 was archived using the PKware file-compression utility.

More Information:

Word for Windows version 1.1a ships with a TIFF Specification 5.0 filter that is used by default to import TIFF graphics into Word for Windows documents. Earlier versions of Word for Windows use an internal TIFF 4.0 graphics filter to import TIFF graphics.

TIFF files imported into Word for Windows version 1.1a using the TIFF filter may display and/or print dark because the TIFF 5.0 graphics filter makes no attempt to dither the incoming grayscale values. Instead, Word attempts to maintain the original grayscaling. Because Word supports a maximum of 16 shades of gray, many grayscale values in a 256 shade graphic are combined for display and printing from Word for Windows. As a result, the graphic output may appear very dark.

Workaround
If you use the internal TIFF 4.0 filter to insert the same TIFF image, it applies a dithering technique. Although, this technically results in a lower resolution image, it prints much lighter, possibly providing better quality output.

To use the internal TIF support to print TIF files more clearly in Word for Windows version 1.1a, follow these steps:

  From the Main group of the Program Manager, run File Manager in Windows 3.0.   From the File menu, choose Search, type the filename TIFF.FLT, and choose Search.   When the search finds TIFF.FLT, from the File menu, choose Rename.   Type TIFF.OLD in the To text box and choose Rename.   Exit File Manager and open the WIN.INI file in Notepad or another text editor.   Locate the WWFilters section of the WIN.INI file.   Place a semicolon in front of the TIF filter so that the complete line reads: ;TIFF Filter=TIFF.FLT,TIF   Save the file and exit Windows. Restart Windows and start Word for Windows. </li></ol>

A TIF image imported using the internal TIF support prints clearer than a TIF image imported using the TIF filter and uses different shades of gray. For the best results printing TIF files in Word for Windows 1.1a, use the internal TIF support.

Additional reference words: 1.10a grphflt

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.