WordArt objects in a Publisher 2000 publication may appear distorted when opened in Publisher 2003

When you open a Microsoft Publisher 2000 publication in Publisher 2003, WordArt objects may appear distorted. The characters in the WordArt objects may be stretched horizontally or vertically.

This issue occurs because Publisher 2000 uses a different software engine for creating WordArt objects from later versions of Publisher. When Publisher 2003 opens the Publisher 2000 file, WordArt objects are converted by using the new software engine. Some styles of WordArt objects change when they are converted.

There are two ways to work around this problem:

• You can download a Publisher add-in that turns off the conversion of WordArt objects in earlier publications. This method preserves the appearance of the WordArt objects, but removes the ability to edit them.
• You can manually resize the WordArt objects so that they look correct. This method requires more work, but preserves the ability to edit the WordArt objects.

Method 1: Install the Publisher WordArt Compatibility Add-in

To download the Publisher WordArt Compatibility Add-in, follow these steps:

1. Quit Publisher if it is running.
2. Download the Publisher WordArt Compatibility Add-in (PbWrdArt.exe).
   
   To download the PbWrdArt.exe file, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
   http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=897AA11B-A37D-4586-A1A7-54BBEA375AE2&displaylang=en (http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=897AA11B-A37D-4586-A1A7-54BBEA375AE2&displaylang=en)
3. Double-click PbWrdArt.exe to install the file.
4. Start Publisher, and then reopen the Publisher 2000 publication.

Note The WordArt objects now appear and print correctly. However, if you try to edit the text or change the style of the WordArt object, you receive the following error message: Note To remove the add-in, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
3. On the Currently Installed Programs list, click Publisher WordArt Compatibility Add-in, and then click Remove.

Method 2: Manually Resize the WordArt objects

To manually resize the WordArt objects, follow these steps:

1. Open the publication.
2. Use the laser proof provided by your customer to manually resize the WordArt objects so that they have the same proportions and size as they do on the proof print.

The WordArt objects will print the way that they appear on screen. If you have to edit the text in one of the WordArt objects, double-click the WordArt object.

WordArt is the software engine that Publisher uses to create text with special effects. In Publisher 2000 and earlier, WordArt was a stand-alone program. In Publisher 2002 and later, WordArt is no longer a stand-alone program; it is part of the graphics engine used by Publisher.

While the new implementation of WordArt has several new features, such as 3-D effects, gradient fills, and support for Adobe Type 1 PostScript fonts, it cannot convert all earlier WordArt objects with total fidelity.