Equation images

WIRIS MathType equation images are often the default format used within publishing workflows because they are the most compatible. However, equation images require post-processing to align their effective baseline with the actual baseline of any surrounding text.

Typefi provides a MathType Alignment event script for InDesign (it runs at the Spill End script event) that automates the detection of MathType EPS equations (so as not to affect other EPS graphics) and adjusts their vertical alignment to reconcile any baseline differences.

Editing a MathType EPS equation with another application, such as Adobe Illustrator, will remove the comments that MathType embeds in the header of its EPS files. These comments are required to determine that the equation is a MathType EPS equation (%%Creator: MathType), as well as the baseline offset needed to align the equation with the surrounding text (for example, %%Baseline: 14).

When the MathType Alignment script runs within a workflow, it first turns off Skip By Leading and then adds the character and object styles it needs to your InDesign document (your original InDesign template is unchanged):

1. Disables Skip By Leading (Preferences → Composition → Text Wrap). The technique for creating space below an inline equation image uses text wrap. If Skip by Leading is enabled, too much space can appear below each equation image.
2. Creates a character style named AutoLeading at the top level of the Character Styles panel. This style is used to ensure that an equation image does not collide with the preceding line of text. The only formatting it applies is Auto leading.
3. Creates an object style named InlineEquation6 within a style group named MathType. The only attributes it applies are:
   • Text Wrap & Other → Text Wrap is set to Jump Object with Offsets of 0p0 top, -0p3 bottom, 0p0 left, and 0p0 right.
   • Anchored Object Settings → Position is set to Inline with a Y Offset of -0p6.

Next, it finds each MathType EPS equation and applies derivative InlineEquation object styles (based on the original InlineEquation6) as needed for each unique %%Baseline value it finds. 

MathType doesn't calculate the bounding box for its EPS equation images using float values, so precise horizontal alignment with text above/below is not possible unless the excess fractional white space is trimmed. The MathType alignment script can automate this, but requires that you first create a MathType trim table for each font used in your equations. For information on how to create a MathType trim table, contact your Typefi Solutions Consultant.