Logo format for microsoft apps?

[Cheadle]

I've had a client ask me to supply them with their logo in a format that has a transparent background. They will use it in Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc for presentations. It needs to be reasonably hi-res as they may print out their reports etc. I have the original logo in illy.

What are the best format(s) that allow for transparency in your opinions?

Cheers

[derfs]

I know the .wmf format is good for high res output in Word and Excel. Looks terrible on screen but crisp on paper. Not sure of it's transparent qualities as I just started working with it.

[Kool]

Yep WMF (Windows Meta File) is the way to go. It's a vector format so transparency shouldn't be an issue.

[doubting_thomas]

Thirded. WMF FTW

[Cheadle]

.wmf is it then! Cheers all!

[Eggles1]

May I suggest PNG instead of WMF? It seems to be a more stable file type than WMF (which have far too many anchor points) and it allows for background transparency and whatever resolution you want. Although a raster format, it works well in MS apps if you get your settings right.

A sequence that always works for me is:
(1) ensure you are in RGB format (MS aps don't understand CMYK or spots)
(2) size the logo to the approximate dimensions at which it will be used
(3) EXPORT (not save) from AI and in the PNG Options menu, choose 'other' as the resolution and enter 200dpi (this gives some flexibility for resizing but will still print OK on a typical office printer), check the box for 'transparent' background and ensure the 'Interlaced' box is unchecked (I usually leave the 'Anti-alias' box checked) .... and away you go.

[captain spanky]

i too would use png over wmf. :)

[Broacher]

Biggest question is output: postscript or non-postscript?

Non-postscript is actually pretty flexible. High rez PNGs will print with surprising crispness even on the $20 inkjets, and even with transparency effects.

WMFs? I'd use EMFs--they have fewer limitations, especially with curved work (EMF supports bezier, WMF does not). But EMF also supports fonts, so be sure to convert to outlines first or substitution will take place post-handoff. In my experience, AI creates the best quality EMF/WMFs. Keep either EMF or WMF to straight line type of work. It doesn't work well with gradients, and disastrously with embedded rasters.

Postscript? You can just use EPS. If you have Corel, you can even use EPS with WMF headers, giving you vector flexibility and output for both postscript and non-postscript output-- and better screen quality than a TIF header. Alas, no transparency support on screen (but it's there for PDF and ps printing).

If you're going to PDF for commercial production, I'd go with EPS. I haven't tested this in a while, but alpha transparency in PNG from Word often got converted to massive files (due to raster line-by-line clipping).