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jennifers62911905
Inspiring
January 28, 2019
Answered

Can't place dropbox psd files into InDesign

  • January 28, 2019
  • 7 replies
  • 3289 views

I have a bunch of very high res (30mb +) files in my drop box folder that I'm trying to drag and drop into indesign. It seems to allow it, but then instead of the image appearing I just get a bunch of text in a box, a link I think.

I've tried downloading the files from dropbox to my hard drive first, but they're only showing up as super low resolution. I didn't create the PSD files in photoshop, but in procreate on my ipad.

No idea where to go from here.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer jennifers62911905

    Thanks everyone for your help. I think I have to go back to the original images and redo them on a larger canvas. Can't thank you all enough for your help :-)

    Signing off - Jen

    7 replies

    Srishti Bali
    Srishti Bali
    Legend
    January 30, 2019

    Hi Jennifer,

    I would like to know if the steps suggested above worked for you, or the issue still persists.

    Kindly update the discussion if you need further assistance with it.

    Thanks,

    Srishti

    J
    jennifers62911905AuthorCorrect answer
    Inspiring
    January 31, 2019

    Thanks everyone for your help. I think I have to go back to the original images and redo them on a larger canvas. Can't thank you all enough for your help :-)

    Signing off - Jen

    J
    jennifers62911905Author
    Inspiring
    January 28, 2019

    Ok. So I've reinstalled everything onto D drive where there's loads of space. Dropbox is now functioning properly, the files I need are downloaded onto my hard drive at full size. But still, every time I place the images in indesign they are small and pixelated. Currently I'm downloading photoshop to see if I can open the full sized files in there, but if anyone has any other ideas I'd be very happy to hear them.

    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    BobLevineCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 28, 2019

    What does “small” mean? As for pixelated, what is your display setting at? Make sure it’s high quality.

    AnneMarie Concepcion
    Community Expert
    AnneMarie ConcepcionCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 28, 2019

    You can't drag and drop from the Browser window. If you select the filename and then drag and drop, I'm guessing you'd get some sort of URL or filename text in InDesign after you dropped it.

    Instead, as directed above, select the file in your Dropbox account in a browser and click the download button. Wait for the large file to download completely (check the file size in the Finder/Windows). Then you can drag/drop or choose File > Place.

    When I do this, I get this alert when placing it into ID:

    That might have something to do with your problem too,  not sure. Normally that just means some advanced Photoshop effects won't be editable in older versions of Photoshop; but perhaps it also impacts creating a preview image.

    But I just clicked OK, and ID placed it fine. I see the preview, and I see from the Links panel that it's pointing to the one I downloaded, and the file size is a little over 30 MB.

    Regarding your local Dropbox folder, if someone just gave you a Dropbox link, you won't see them sync to your local Dropbox folder. All you can do is go to the link and download. In order to see the files appear  in your local Dropbox folder, the other user has to *share* their Dropbox folder with  you;  and you'll get an alert of that (and an email too) with the option to accept the share or not.

    AM

      J
      jennifers62911905Author
      Inspiring
      January 28, 2019

      I’ce tried that, downloaded the file as you said, and it will show in the little download tab that it’s over 30mb. Then I place the image, see the exact pop up box you show there, but the image imported is horribly pixilated and tiny. Then I check the file wherever is has downloaded to and it says it’s less than 1mb. I have no idea why it’s diwnloading so small, it’s why I tried dragging and dropping from the browser.

      is there a setting somewhere on my pc that could be compressing everything? how can I check?

      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 28, 2019

      Sounds more like an iOS Dropbox issue. If you’re saving on your iPad into a DB folder there, check the folder on dropbox.com. Is it full sized there?

      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 28, 2019

      First thing I'd try to do is open one of those files in Photoshop and check it out there to eliminate any issue with the files themselves.

        hammer0909
        Community Expert
        hammer0909Community Expert
        Community Expert
        January 28, 2019

        Bob makes a good point. If you want to share the DropBox link to one of those files here, one of us could try opening it in Photoshop to see if there's any issues.

        J
        jennifers62911905Author
        Inspiring
        January 28, 2019

        Great idea to share a file, here we go:

        Dropbox - 1.psd

        hammer0909
        Community Expert
        hammer0909Community Expert
        Community Expert
        January 28, 2019

        Although drag and drop should work, I'd start by using File > Place to take any variables out of the equation. As Rob pointed out, you should also be using the DropBox folder stored on your local hard drive to place the images. if you're dragging out of a web browser window, that won't work. The .psd format is a standard format so regardless of who "made" the file, InDesign should be able to place it unless Procreate is writing the format in a non-standard way which I don't think is likely.

          J
          jennifers62911905Author
          Inspiring
          January 28, 2019

          I’m guessing this is a drop box issue then. I can’t see any files in the desktop Dropbox app- just the folders. It’s signed in and everything, but doesn’t seem to have synced properly.

          hammer0909
          Community Expert
          hammer0909Community Expert
          Community Expert
          January 28, 2019

          It could be a firewall issue at your location. That's something we can't troubleshoot here on the forum. Dragging from your browser definitely won't work. I'd suggest manually downloading the files from your DropBox account from the browser window so that the files live locally on your hard drive. From there things should work splendidly.

          rob day
          Community Expert
          rob dayCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          January 28, 2019

          Just to clarify, are you placing the files from your local Dropbox folder—the folder Dropbox installs on your startup drive for syncing? By default that folder should be located at the top level of your computer‘s user account

            J
            jennifers62911905Author
            Inspiring
            January 28, 2019

            I’m trying from my browser. I downloaded Dropbox to my desktop but the files weren’t even showing up in drop box that way for some reason. Does my computer need some kind of decoding softward  read them maybe? Or photoshop to open them in? I’m using windows 10.

            J
            jennifers62911905Author
            Inspiring
            January 28, 2019

            Also it might be worth noting that I don't have photoshop installed on my computer, just indesign

            L
            Community Expert
            LaubenderCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            January 28, 2019

            jennifers62911905  wrote

            Also it might be worth noting that I don't have photoshop installed on my computer, just indesign

            Hi Jennifer,

            what's your version of InDesign?

            What's your operating system?

            If you are on Creative Cloud I'd suggest you are installing PhotoShop and inspect your psd files saved by Procreate there.

            Regards,
            Uwe

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