About the PhotoDraw 2000 Mix File Format 

The MIX file format is the Microsoft PhotoDraw™ master file format. By default, PhotoDraw saves the pictures you create in MIX format.

When to Use the MIX File Format

Use the MIX format when you want to:

• Edit objects in a picture later Most file formats permanently group, or flatten, individual picture objects into a single object. If you save your picture in MIX format, each object remains separate so that you can select and edit specific objects in your picture the next time you open your file.
• Save everything in a picture You can use the MIX format when you want to save all objects in the picture and scratch areas. (If you save a picture in a format other than MIX, all objects are cropped to fit the rectangular picture area.)
• Insert a picture into an Office document You can insert .mix files directly into an open Office document. To do so, use the Picture command (Insert menu) in any Office program.
• Retain picture quality when you save A picture saved in MIX format will retain its quality no matter how often you save it. You can always save to the other file formats from the original .mix file.
• Work with a fine level of detail Pictures stored as .mix files are always stored in millions of colors at the highest resolution possible.

When to Use Other Graphics File Formats

It's always a good idea to save an editable copy of any picture in MIX format. However, you'll want to save to other graphics file formats, too, depending on how you plan to use your picture. For example, you might save a picture in another format when you:

• Post a picture on a Web page Web browsers such as Internet Explorer can't display files saved in MIX format. For Web work, use a popular format like GIF or JPEG. To find out which file format is best, click Save For Use In on the PhotoDraw File menu.
• Use a picture in a publication or presentation To save files that are optimized for publications, presentations, and other Office documents, click Save For Use In on the PhotoDraw File menu.
• Open a picture in another graphics program If you want to edit your picture file in another graphics program, you may need to save it in a format that the program recognizes, such as Tagged Image File Format (TIFF).
• Share a picture with someone who doesn't use PhotoDraw To view a .mix file, your friends and colleagues must have PhotoDraw installed on their computer. If they don't own PhotoDraw, you can save your picture for them in a different file format.
• Send a large picture in e-mail Complex .mix files may take a long time to send in e-mail. If you plan to send your picture as an e-mail attachment, try sending it in a compressed file format like JPEG. Again, clicking Save For Use In on the PhotoDraw File menu can help you determine which format is best.