How to convert windows figures (generated using PowerPoint, VISIO etc.) to EPS vector file!

Many times we find it more comfortable to draw figures on Windows programs such as VISIO and PowerPoint. The problem with these programs is that they don't have any option to save the drawings as EPS. A generally opted solution by many of us is "SAVE AS .jpg" and then use GIMP to convert to EPS.

THIS IS A VERY BAD APPROACH. 

EPS figures that are generated from jpeg are as bad as jpg, because they are not actually vectored, its just a single vector which does not scale when we zoom-in the images. 

Following are the STEPS that you can take to create proper vectored EPS figure from windows programs:

1. Choose the "Save As" option and save the drawing in either "Enhanced Metafile (*.emf)" or " "Enhanced Windows Metafile (*.emf)", whichever is available.
• Please remove PowerPoint (or Windows) specific special effects such as shadows or gradients. They may appear as SOLID BOX in final EPS.
• To avoid the empty space of the slide around the drawing, group all the contents of the slide, right click, and save as *.emf. This will only save the selected group/objects in the emf file. 
2. Convert the *.emf file into EPS file using Metafile To EPS Converter"
• If you don't already have this program, you can download and install from ( http://wiki.lyx.org/Windows/MetafileToEPSConverter ). It is an open source program.

Please check the final drawing. You may have to do some adjustments sometimes because of compatibility issues. With VISIO it works fine.

Enjoy!

-Mukesh