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mwolfthal
Inspiring
Apr 12, 2023 3:32 PM UTC
Question

Importing graphics

Does anyone have any comments about the relative merits of importing graphics via pdf, png, gif etc.?

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    9 replies

    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Apr 13, 2023 5:17 PM UTC

    Hi @mwolfthal:

     

    I'm all about streamlining my workflow: I import photos as .psd files (native Photoshop) and line art/illustrations as .ai (native Illustrator files). I don't convert either so that I can edit the artwork in the original application. 

     

    If you are using other apps besides those two and you will need to convert your artwork, keep in mind that .gif files are limited to 256 colors total (that may exclude it from your workflow) and jpg files (developed for archiving photographs) are lossy so saving them repeatedly will cause irretrievable data loss. Png is a more modern format that you might consider, but personally, I go with pdf if I'm importing Excel charts, for example.

     

    ~Barb

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    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
    mwolfthal
    mwolfthalAuthor
    Inspiring
    Apr 13, 2023 7:52 PM UTC

    Here's an example of an image I need to import, pdf and png formats.

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    frameexpert
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Apr 13, 2023 8:10 PM UTC

    If your only output is print and/or PDF, I would use PDF as the import format. This will give you good clarity of the user zooms up on the content when viewing it.

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    4everJang
    Legend
    Apr 12, 2023 4:38 PM UTC

    Never use copy-in, always reference.

    For photos use JPEG, for bitmap-types use PNG, for drawings use SVG.

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    Bob_Niland
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Apr 12, 2023 4:04 PM UTC

    What are the intended output workflows? (HTML, PDF, eBook, print, etc)

    What are the image types? (vector, raster, and any text within)

    Is color management required?

    The above considerations materially affect selection of optimal import object types.

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    mwolfthal
    mwolfthalAuthor
    Inspiring
    Apr 12, 2023 4:23 PM UTC

    Could be any of the above. The point of my question was to know if there are any guidelines that cover the overall issue.

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    Jeff_Coatsworth
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    Apr 12, 2023 3:58 PM UTC

    Import by reference or by copying?

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    mwolfthal
    mwolfthalAuthor
    Inspiring
    Apr 12, 2023 4:22 PM UTC

    Either.

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