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Downloads of the ASMP member logos, are provided on the download page in four PC formats and three Macintosh formats. The PC formats are Tagged Image File Format (.tif), Graphics Interchange Format (.gif), Windows Meta File (.wmf) and Encapsulated PostScript (.eps). The Macintosh file formats are Tagged Image File Format (.tif), Graphics Interchange Format (.gif), and Encapsulated PostScript (.eps) format.

For more specific information that will help you understand which file format is right for you then please follow this link to a discussion about file formats and color space. If you are unsure how to download the file you want, or if you have questions about the files you downloaded then begin reading the following section.

Sending and receiving files over the internet

For a selected file to be sent or received over the internet, it must be compressed and encoded for reliable transmission across the internet. There are subtle differences between the compressions and encoding used for PC and Macintosh files. Therefore, depending upon the type of computer you're using, you will have to follow some specific steps at the receiving end to decompress and decode the files so they can be accesible from a place you designate on your computer.

A file in native format (meaning the file created by application software, e.g., an Illustrator EPS file) needs to be prepared or "packed" for transport across the web. Files are usually modified in the following sequence for transport:

A The native file > B The compressed file > C The encoded file

When they are downloaded, the reverse sequence takes place:

C The file is decoded > B The file is decompressed > A The native file

On PCs the compression and encoding happen in the same step so the sequence of events is simplified:

A The native file > B The file is compressed and encoded

Similarly, when the file is downloaded:

B The file is decoded and decompressed > A The native file

Decompressing, unencoding, and storing downloads on a Windows PC

When you begin the download process your web browser may ask you, via a dialogue box, to select a target folder (directory). Be sure to write down or otherwise take note of the folder that you select to download files into. If you're not sure where a file was downloaded, use the Find File command, from the Start menu, to locate the file.

Many downloadable files for the Windows PC platform typically are designed to decompress and unencode themselves after they've been succesfully downloaded into the designated directory on your PC. These files are known as "self-extracting executables" and have the file suffix of .exe because they are executable files. Simply double-click on an .exe file and designate the folder (directory) into which you want the decompressed and decoded native file to be placed. For example, you may want to create a new folder or directory called C:\asmp_logos\. This will "tell" your PC to save the decompressed and decoded native file to this directory. Once the files have been saved to this directory, you can delete the compressed, encoded .exe version.

Using downloaded files in Windows PC applications

Each software application has its own menu for inserting files, pictures, etc. into a working file. For example, when using Microsoft Word or PowerPoint on the PC, go to the "Insert" menu and select "Picture" then "From file." Then in the dialog box navigate to the downloaded file (for instance "asmp_red.wmf". The file will be embedded into the open document, at the insertion point you designated. You may then resize or move the file as needed.

Decompressing , decoding, and storing downloads on a Macintosh

Files for the Macintosh platform are typically compressed, and then binary encoded. These files are called bin-hex files and have a file suffix of .hqx. Once you have downloaded a file, it first must be decoded, then decompressed. With most web browsers, these steps will occur automatically immediately after the download is complete. This is because many popular browsers for the Macintosh come with a preinstalled copy of a program called Stuffit Expander to do that work. When you begin the download you will see three progress bars on screen. The first one is the time remaining for the download to be completed. Once the download is complete, you will see "Decoding binhex," which is the time remaining to unencode the file. The final progress bar will show "Unstuffing," which is the process of decompressing the file. You'll actually end up with three files:

• The original binhex encoded (.hqx) file that you downloaded
• A file with a suffix of either .sit or .sea, which is the compressed version
• The native file version that you will actually use. For example, if you've downloaded the red rgb .eps version of the ASMP logo, you'll see a file called "asmp_red.eps". You can delete the .hqx and .sit or .sea files.

Note: If the decompression and unencoding process does not happen automatically, you will need to run the Stuffit Expander program manually. Once you double click on the program to start, it will show you a File menu from which you should select "Expand" then designate to the downloaded .hqx file to be decompressed and decoded.

If you do not have Stuffit Expander installed, then go to Aladdin System's Stuffit Expander download page at http://www.stuffit.com/expander/macindex.html. Or contact your IT Systems Administrator for assistance in obtaining Stuffit Expander.

Using downloaded files in Macintosh applications

Each software application has its own menu for inserting files, pictures, etc. into a working file. For example, when using Microsoft Word or PowerPoint on the Macintosh, go to the "Insert" menu and select "Picture" then "From file." Then in the dialog box navigate to the downloaded file (for instance "asmp_red.gif". The file will be embedded into the open document, at the insertion point you designated. You may then resize or move the file as needed.

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