Convert CGM to EPS — Free Online Converter
Convert Computer Graphics Metafile (.cgm) to Encapsulated PostScript (.eps) online for free. Fast, secure image conversion with no watermarks or regis...
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Upload your .cgm file by dragging it into the upload area or clicking to browse.
Choose your output settings. The default settings work great for most files.
Click Convert and download your .eps file when it's ready.
About CGM to EPS Conversion
CGM (Computer Graphics Metafile, ISO 8632) is the standard format for technical illustrations in aviation, defense, and industrial documentation. EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) is the print industry's established vector interchange format — a self-contained PostScript program for placing vector graphics in page layout applications and processing through PostScript-based RIP systems. Converting CGM to EPS bridges the technical documentation standard with the professional print production ecosystem.
This conversion is relevant when technical illustrations from maintenance manuals, service bulletins, and engineering documentation need to be incorporated into published documents produced with Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, or other PostScript-based publishing workflows.
Why Convert CGM to EPS?
Technical publication departments produce printed manuals, service bulletins, and training materials using page layout applications. When CGM illustrations from the master technical data set must be placed in InDesign or QuarkXPress layouts, EPS provides the vector format these applications handle natively. The illustrations maintain scalability and print quality while integrating with the publication's typography, layout, and prepress workflow.
EPS is also used as an interchange format between different technical illustration systems. When an organization migrates from one CGM authoring tool to another, or needs to exchange illustrations with partners using different documentation systems, EPS serves as the neutral vector interchange format that both systems can read and write. This is common in defense contractor partnerships where different illustration systems must share content.
Common Use Cases
- Place CGM technical illustrations in Adobe InDesign page layouts for printed maintenance manuals and service bulletins
- Convert CGM engineering diagrams to EPS for publication in technical training materials and reference guides
- Exchange CGM illustrations as EPS between defense contractor partners using different documentation systems
- Export CGM aviation illustrations to EPS for inclusion in printed aircraft maintenance procedure cards
- Produce EPS versions of CGM illustrations for PostScript-based large-format plotters used in engineering departments
How It Works
LibreOffice imports the CGM file, parsing the binary or clear-text encoding to extract vector elements. The vector content is exported as an EPS file containing PostScript drawing operators — moveto/lineto/curveto for paths, setrgbcolor for fills, show for text rendering, and gsave/grestore for state management. A low-resolution preview image is embedded in the EPS header for application display. Hatch patterns from the CGM are translated to PostScript pattern definitions. The output is DSC (Document Structuring Conventions) compliant for integration with page layout applications and RIP systems.
Quality & Performance
Vector elements convert with high geometric accuracy from CGM to EPS. Lines, curves, polygons, and shapes maintain mathematical precision in the PostScript output. Text labels are rendered with available fonts. The main limitation is transparency — PostScript does not support native transparency, so overlapping elements with transparency are flattened. Standard technical illustrations consisting primarily of line work, solid fills, text labels, and hatch patterns convert cleanly.
Device Compatibility
| Device | CGM | EPS |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC | Partial | Partial |
| macOS | Partial | Partial |
| iPhone/iPad | Partial | Partial |
| Android | Partial | Partial |
| Linux | Partial | Partial |
| Web Browser | No | No |
Tips for Best Results
- 1Use EPS when your page layout application or print provider specifically requires PostScript — otherwise PDF is the modern alternative
- 2Verify hatch pattern rendering in the EPS — CGM-specific patterns may need PostScript pattern definition adjustment
- 3Convert text to outlines if font consistency across systems is critical
- 4Test the EPS placement in your page layout application to confirm scaling and positioning
- 5For web-based technical documentation, convert to SVG instead of EPS for browser rendering
CGM-to-EPS conversion makes technical illustrations from aviation, defense, and engineering documentation available for professional print production workflows, page layout placement, and PostScript-based publishing systems.