#### 15.7.4 Preserving graphics scale in Word

Between Word versions 7/95 and 8/97 Microsoft changed the size of a graphics scale unit from twips (twentieths of a point: 1,440 per inch) to himetric (hundredths of a millimeter: 2,400 per inch). For Word 7/95, DITA2Go computes the value in twips; for Word 8/95 and later versions, in himetric; until Word 2003, when Microsoft changed the (non-user-settable) graphics scale unit back to twips.

Table 15-3 shows what happens to the apparent size of an embedded image viewed in Word, depending on which version of Word you specify as the DITA2Go output type, and which version of Word you use to view the RTF output. The rightmost column shows the settings required to preserve scale for those versions of Word that display images at other than 100%. These settings affect only images embedded in Word. Linked images cannot be scaled; see §15.7.7 Linking instead of embedding referenced graphics.

Table 15-3 Graphics scale percentages for Word versions

Project output type | Image scale for RTF viewed in Word, by version | [WordOptions] remedial setting to achieve 100%
7/95 | 8/97 | 9/2000 | 10/XP | 11/2003+
Word 7/95 | 100% | 60% | 60% | 60% | 100% | Word8 = Yes
Word 8/97 | 167% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 167% | Word2003 = Yes

The remedy depends on which problem you observe in Word:

Embedded images are much too small

Embedded images are much too large

Embedded images are still a little off

Embedded images are much too small

If you specify Word 7/95 as the output type when you set up your conversion project, then convert your document and load the resulting RTF file(s) in Word 8/97, Word 9/2000, or Word 10/XP, your graphics will appear at 60% of the correct size.

Embedded images are much too large

If you specify Word 8/97 as the output type when you set up your conversion project, then convert and load the output into Word 7/95 or Word 11/2003, your graphics will appear at 167% of their original size. To correct this problem, add the following setting:

[WordOptions]
Word2003 = Yes

Embedded images are still a little off

For Word versions that use a default graphic unit of “himetric” instead of “twips” (Word 8/97, 2000, and 10/XP), the correctly computed scaling factor of 176 does not always look right. To adjust the scaling factor:

[WordOptions]
; PicScale = 176 (default), percentage to expand graphics for Word
; 8/97, 9/2000, and 2002/XP to compensate for redefined Word default.
PicScale = 176

Adjust as needed; for example, Word 9/2000 seems to do better with PicScale=178.

Previous Topic: 15.7.3 Limiting bitmap resolution and color depth

Next Topic: 15.7.5 Accommodating graphics in multiple versions of Word

Parent Topic: 15.7 Managing graphics for print RTF

Sibling Topics:

15.7.1 Understanding graphics requirements for Word

15.7.2 Understanding where to locate graphics

15.7.3 Limiting bitmap resolution and color depth

15.7.5 Accommodating graphics in multiple versions of Word

15.7.6 Including file names of referenced graphics in Word

15.7.7 Linking instead of embedding referenced graphics

15.7.8 Embedding graphics in converted RTF files

15.7.9 Updating fields in Word to show linked graphics

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