Skip to main content
A
Annette5FD6
Participant
July 25, 2022
Answered

How to seamlessly work between Fresco and InDesign?

  • July 25, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 1756 views

I love Fresco for the ability to easily create Vector and Raster layered art!

 

BUT what is the best workflow to seemlessly take Fresco (RBG) file to InDesign (CMYK) AND preserve the Fresco layers?

 

Here is the flow I'm doing:

On iPad, Create file in Fresco saves as .psdc format in the cloud

(Be sure to Duplicate the file with a new name because the .psdc file you open in Photoshop will merge all layers into one)!!!

 

On Mac, in Photoshop, open the .psdc Fresco file, Edit, Convert to Profile (CMYK).  Save as .psd file (BUT IT is NOT allowing me to save the file with Layers preserved, and it collapses all layers into one.  Then it OVERWRITES the .psdc file as well and merges all layers into one!  So when I go back to the iPad Fresco app and open the .psdc file then it is just one layer (and all the detailed layers have been collapsed into one layer!)

 

On Mac, in InDesign, in your destination file, File, Place the .psd CMYK file into your layout.

 

IS there ANY way to live link the file placed in InDesign to the Fresco .psdc file so easily I can make changes without having to follow all the steps above?

IS there ANY way to prevent Photoshop from writing over the .psdc file and colapsing all the layers in Fresco?  My workaround is to always duplicate the Fresco file so I have a backup to go back to my original layered Fresco work.  But this is really a PAIN and very dangerous because if I forget I can lose days of work!

 

Thanks

AMF

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Annette5FD6

    Thanks everyone for the guidance.  Here is what I found works:  

    Workflow Fresco  to InDesign - Here is the workflow:

    1. Create illlustration in Fresco.

     

    2. In Fresco:  click the Up Arrow in upper Right, Publish - Export as Psd file to Dropbox

     

    1. On Mac, InDesign, File, Place, select my local copy of the psd file saved in my Dropbox.(which I run as a local file mirrored to the Dropbox cloud)   (No need to first open in Photoshop.).

    3 replies

    A
    Annette5FD6AuthorCorrect answer
    Participant
    August 2, 2022

    Thanks everyone for the guidance.  Here is what I found works:  

    Workflow Fresco  to InDesign - Here is the workflow:

    1. Create illlustration in Fresco.

     

    2. In Fresco:  click the Up Arrow in upper Right, Publish - Export as Psd file to Dropbox

     

    1. On Mac, InDesign, File, Place, select my local copy of the psd file saved in my Dropbox.(which I run as a local file mirrored to the Dropbox cloud)   (No need to first open in Photoshop.).
      Theresa J
      Community Expert
      Theresa JCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 26, 2022

      Fresco saves files in the cloud. I don't think InDesign can link to cloud docs. I believe anything you place into an inDesign layout has to be on a hard drive (not the cloud). Are you saving a local copy of the illustration on a drive? 

       

      Converting your Fresco illustration to CMYK is flattening the file. If you leave it RGB you can keep the layers. I recommend leaving all images in RGB. IF your printer requires CMYK images you should leave that for the last step. Convert to CMYK when you export a PDF for printing from the InDesign layout. DON'T convert images to CMYK with Photoshop.

        Sjaani
        Community Expert
        SjaaniCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        July 25, 2022

        Fresco hasn't been combined with InDesign for an easy workflow. I believe the process you currently use is the best for what you want to achieve.

        The only alternative flow I can see is to export as Ai, since the layers will be preserved in Illustrator. Note though that you still wouldn't have editing abilities back in Fresco.

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices