Print and Export options

The Print and Export pane of the Options dialog box offers controls over how Microsoft Expression Design exports your images, whether by printing, saving, or copying to the Clipboard.

Refit curves to output paths   Many of the curves in Expression Design are defined by using B-spline and other mathematical curves that are difficult to translate into ordinary PostScript Bezier curves. When you print or export vector artwork (for example, if you export in the PDF file format), Expression Design tries to re-create its curves as closely as possible. This causes the creation of dozens or hundreds of nodes per object. If you select this option, Expression Design doesn't try as hard to map paths and brush strokes exactly. The result is usually perceptually very similar, but with far fewer nodes (therefore making the object easier to print or work with in another editor).

Split long paths   If you have very long or complex paths, you may have trouble printing the files. You can select to split complex paths into simpler paths by selecting this option, and the result should be visually identical.

Path quality   By default, Expression Design uses the Best option when it exports or prints. However, you can select Draft or Normal for lesser quality.

Information vectorization levels   The default number of levels used to vectorize image strokes in file exports is 5, but you can type or select any value from 1 to 16 levels. Vectorizing strokes based on bitmapped images is like using the Auto Trace Image feature. (For more information about Auto Trace Image, see Convert bitmapped images to paths.)