File Formatting

Make sure your submitted graphics file formats can be processed by IEEE and that they follow proper IEEE file naming conventions. Follow IEEE file formatting requirements, understand how to properly name and compress your files, as well as how to embed fonts in your graphics file.

Accepted File Formats

• IEEE accepts PS, EPS, PDF, PNG, or TIFF formats for graphics submission. 
• It is acceptable to submit Microsoft Office documents (DOC, PPT, XLS) only when the graphic was originally drawn in the program.  
• High-resolution JPEG files are acceptable for author photos only. IEEE also continues to accept PS, EPS, and TIFF for author photos.
• Other file formats such as VSD, GIF, or BMP cannot be processed by IEEE.

File Naming Conventions

Graphic files

Identify your graphics with the first five letters of the primary author’s surname, followed by a number signifying its sequential position within the article. For example, an author with the surname of Gonzalez may have:

• gonza1.tif
• gonza2.pdf
• gonza3.png

Table files

Tables should follow a similar naming convention. The only difference is that after the first five letters of the author’s surname, you should insert “.t” before the table’s sequential location in the article. Graphics and tables should be numbered independently of each other.

• gonza.t1.tif
• gonza.t2.pdf
• gonza.t3.png

Author photo files

Author photos should be named using the first five letters of each author’s surname. If more than one author has the same surname, you should replace the last of the five letters with the first letter of their first names. The example for Anna Gonzalez, Bruce Gonzalez, and Charlie Gonzalez follows:

• gonza.tif
• gonzb.pdf
• gonzc.png

Compressing Your Graphics File

If your graphics files are very large, you will need to take some steps to reduce their file size prior to submitting to IEEE.

1. Make sure that all image layers are flattened, and your graphic is of the correct resolution (dpi) and dimensions (no larger than 7.16 x 8.8 inches, 182 x 220 millimeters, or 43 x 52 picas).
2. If your file is still large, you can use a variety of compression methods in order to create a ZIP, SIT, or TAR.Z file:
• pkzip
• Stuffit

Condensing your graphics could have a small negative effect on their final quality. IEEE suggests using this option only when necessary.

Embedding Fonts in Your Graphics File

As you prepare your graphics, select fonts from the recommended list:

• Helvetica
• Times New Roman
• Arial
• Cambria
• Symbol

If you are supplying EPS, PS, or PDF files, either convert all text to outlines or embed the fonts. Some fonts may be native only to your operating system. If the fonts are not embedded, parts of the graphic may be distorted or missing when opened on another computer.

Typefaces and type sizes should be consistent in all your graphics and tables. Type should appear approximately 9-10 point when viewed at full size.