Symbol Dynamics^® EXP^®

The Scientific Word Processor

Changes to EXP for Version 5.1:
About the Removal of ImageStream

EXP versions 3.0 through 5.0.2 included third-party graphics import software called ImageStream. The ImageStream software was used by EXP to import the following graphics formats:

• Adobe Illustrator
• CGM
• Corel CDR
• DXF
• HPGL
• Lotus PIC
• Macintosh PICT
• Micrografx DRW
• PostScript

Brooks/Cole, the former owner of EXP, had a license with the ImageStream vendor for the inclusion of the ImageStream software with EXP. In the late 1990s, the ImageStream vendor discontinued development of the ImageStream product. Later, the defunct ImageStream software was sold to another company.

When Brooks/Cole transferred ownership of EXP in 2002, their license for the use of ImageStream in EXP was terminated. When Symbol Dynamics contacted the current ImageStream vendor about obtaining a license for continued use of ImageStream in EXP, the vendor quoted an absurdly high price, far higher than Brooks/Cole was paying for ImageStream when the ImageStream software was actively being developed and supported. Thus, the decision was made to remove usage of the ImageStream software from EXP.

An extensive search was conducted to try and find a high-quality, reasonably-priced alternative to ImageStream. Unfortunately, no such alternative was found. The alternatives were either of mediocre quality or of such a price that EXP's price would have had to be increased significantly.

EXP continues to support the Encapsulated PostScript graphics format through new high quality graphics import software that is built into EXP. Adobe Illustrator files are also supported, though as Encapsulated PostScript files. EXP does not interpret PostScript or Adobe Illustrator files as did the ImageStream software (with mixed success).