PUB2000: Transparent PICT Images in Publisher 2000

When you insert transparent PICT files into Microsoft Publisher 2000, the transparent areas may be displayed with a color and will not appear transparent.

This behavior is a result of the way that Microsoft Publisher 2000 interprets the PICT file format. This behavior does not occur in other Microsoft Office applications.

NOTE: This filter is installed by Microsoft Office 2000. Publisher 2000 setup does not include the PICT import filter.

To workaround this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Encapsulate the PICT in a Microsoft Draw 98 Object

To encapsulate the PICT in a Microsoft Draw 98 object, follow these steps:

NOTE: If you use this method, the resulting transparent image will not print correctly to many common printers (including PostScript).

1. On the Insert menu, point to Picture, then click New Drawing.
2. On the Insert menu, click Picture from file. Browse to your PICT, then click OK.
3. Size the picture according to your needs, then click outside of the Draw 98 Drawing frame to deselect the drawing object.

Method 2: Cut and Paste from Microsoft Word 2000

To cut and paste from Microsoft Word 2000, follow these steps:

1. Insert the picture into Microsoft Word 2000.
   1. On the Insert menu, point to Picture, and click From file.
   2. Browse to and click to select your PICT file.
   3. Click OK.
2. On the Edit menu, click Copy.
3. Inside Microsoft Publisher 2000, click Edit, then click Paste.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.