If you download a vector file from the internet, chances are you will get an EPS file after extracting the ZIP file. Popular vector graphic software like Illustrator and CorelDRAW have the capability to edit an EPS file by default.
Unfortunately, the same capability is not owned by Inkscape. It doesn't mean you can't open and edit an EPS file with Inkscape.
To open and edit an EPS file using Inkscape, you can install GhostScript. It is a software suite based on an interpreter for Adobe Systems' PostScript and Portable Document Format (PDF) page description languages.
GhostScript will convert/interpret your EPS file (Encapsulated PostScript) to a format that is recognized by Inkscape. GhostScript is available for Windows and Linux.
In this post, we will show you how to install and use GhostScript on Windows.
First, download the GhostScript binary file from its official website. Make sure to select a version according to your operating system version (32 bit or 64 bit). Simply double-click the binary file (the EXE file) to install it on your computer.
Once installed, you need to setup the environment variables for two GhostScript's folders: bin and lib. Type "environment variables" on Windows Search and click Edit the system environment variables on the search results.
The System Properties window will appear afterward. Click the Environment Variables button.
Next, select Path and click the Edit button.
Click the New button, followed by the Browse button to find the path of the bin folder of GhostScript.
Normally, the bin folder -- as well as the lib folder -- has the path of C:\Program Files\gs as you can see on the screenshot below. Click the OK button to add the path.
Once the path of the bin folder is added, do the same thing for the lib folder path so you will have two new folder paths added as you can see on the screenshot below. Click the OK button to apply the changes.
Restart your Inkscape and try to open your EPS file (Ctrl+O). When seeing the following dialog, click the OK button to import the EPS file.
Once the file is imported, start the editing by ungrouping the image.
You can now export your EPS file as a PNG file or save it as SVG file if you want to edit it again later.
