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You cannot view enhanced metafile format graphics files (or EMF image files) that were created in Adobe Illustrator

Article ID: 840997 - View products that this article applies to.

SYMPTOMS

Programs that use Microsoft Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) functions to open enhanced metafile graphics files (also known as EMF image files) do not correctly display EMF image files that were created in Adobe Illustrator. For example, EMF image files that were created in Adobe Illustrator do not appear correctly in Microsoft Internet Explorer, in Windows Explorer, in Windows Picture and Fax Viewer, or in Microsoft Office.

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CAUSE

This problem occurs if one of the following conditions is true:

You are running Microsoft Windows Server 2003.
You install the security update that is described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011 on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2000, or Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. For more information about this security update, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms04-011.mspx
(http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms04-011.mspx)
The security update that is described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011 enforces more stringent checks on the validation of metafiles and of the records that they contain.

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RESOLUTION

Windows XP service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Microsoft Windows XP. For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322389/EN-US/ )

How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

Windows 2000 hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

(http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel.

   Date         Time   Version        Size     File name
   -------------------------------------------------------
   26-Apr-2004  15:47  5.0.2195.6920  231,184  Gdi32.dll        
   26-Apr-2004  15:47  5.0.2195.6898   37,136  Mf3216.dll

Windows XP hotfix information

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

(http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support)

Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

File information

Windows XP

   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name   Service Pack
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   26-Apr-2004  17:27  5.1.2600.148      241,664  Gdi32.dll   None
   26-Apr-2004  17:27  5.1.2600.132       36,864  Mf3216.dll  None     
   24-Apr-2004  03:03  5.1.2600.1518     257,536  Gdi32.dll   SP1 
   24-Apr-2004  03:03  5.1.2600.1515      36,864  Mf3216.dll  SP1

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2002 SP1

   Date         Time   Version        Size     File name    Platform
   ------------------------------------------------------------------
   24-Apr-2004  00:04  5.1.2600.1518  885,248  Gdi32.dll    IA-64
   24-Apr-2004  00:04  5.1.2600.1515  128,512  Mf3216.dll   IA-64
   24-Apr-2004  00:03  5.1.2600.1518  237,568  Wgdi32.dll   x86
   24-Apr-2004  00:03  5.1.2600.1515   36,864  Wmf3216.dll  x86

Windows Server 2003 hotfix information

A supported hotfix is not currently available for Windows Server 2003.

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2.

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MORE INFORMATION

This issue occurs with EMF image files that were created with the following software:

Adobe Illustrator 9
Adobe Illustrator 10
Adobe Illustrator CS

Note This problem does not occur with Windows Metafile Format (WMF) files except for WMF image files that are created by I-Grafx Designer. The WMF files that I-Grafx creates are actually EMF files.

For additional information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824684/ )

Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

For additional information about known issues that may occur when you install the security update that is described in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS04-011, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

835732

(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/835732/ )

MS04-011: Security Update for Microsoft Windows

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.

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