Adding Figures in Word Docs

Based on Word:Mac 2008, which I think was only released as punishment to mac users, and to support the once-flagging phrase "be careful what you wish for."

1] Why's this gotta be a whole big thing?

I use this process so that all the figures, regardless of how I make them (Powerpoint, AutoCAD, Inspiration, sketch&scan) are the same type of object in Word. I don't understand how Word decides how to deal with images when you insert them, but it's always wrong and I hate it. This way they're resizeable, the text-wrapping is manageable, and they generally stay in the margins.

2] (Step 1) Make a figure

If possible, it's best to make it actual size. If you want it to be 4 inches across in the paper, make it four inches (or units or whatever) in the program. Or at least make it a round number so the math is easier.

3] (Step 2) Print it to PDF

There's lots of ways to do this, but some of the shareware printer drivers suck. I prefer Ghostscript.

4] (Step 3) Use the Image Copy (little camera in a box) tool to copy it

People disagree, but I've tried it and I believe that the level of zoom in the PDF document when you copy the image effects the quality of the copied image. I do 300% zoom for figures, and they look sharp enough and aren't too huge.

5] (Step 4) Paste it into Word directly

Word decides how big it's going to be when you paste it. For example, a 7" figure from Powerpoint usually pastes in at 30". But then, to be confusing, Word automatically scales it back down to ALMOST the size you wanted (6.25" in this example...usually). I'm sure there's logic to it, and it's probably my fault for copying the image at 300% zoom, but it works, so shut up.