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marilencastillo
marilencastillo
Participant
November 5, 2024
Question

Changing Linked Color Photos to Grayscale or Duotone in New AI-Powered InDesign

  • November 5, 2024
  • 6 replies
  • 7121 views

Does the new AI-powered InDesign have the option to change a linked color photo to a black and white or duotone version? Before, there was a very good plugin called Color2Gray to do that. Thanks a lot.

 

 

<Title renamed by MOD>

    6 replies

    J
    Jade5FC7
    Participant
    November 10, 2025

    Here is a work-around I've found for anybody looking up this topic in the future:

     

    1. Draw a rectangle (or whatever shape of your image) over the image you'd like to make black and white

    2. Give the rectangle a BLACK fill

    3. For the rectangle, change the Effects to Color. Everything under your rectangle should now be black & white. Toggle the opacity to control the level of grayscale. 

     

    Hope that helps! 

     

     

    smashkirk
    smashkirk
    Inspiring
    January 11, 2025

    You would think the new AI-powered InDesign would have the ability to do such a basic and useful task, but no, it does not.

    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Legend
    January 11, 2025

    @smashkirk

     

    No need for AI - you can convert your linked images in bulk in Photoshop - then just refresh links - if you overwrite your originaly linked files - or relink to copies.

     

    smashkirk
    smashkirk
    Inspiring
    January 11, 2025

    Thanks. Yes I'm aware of that. I'm just looking for a quick way to apply a grayscale effect for iteration purposes. I don't want to overwrite my files when I'm iterating on concepts.

    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Community Expert
    Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 5, 2024

    Using a straight-forward grayscale conversion can produce a very flat image. I would suggest doing it the "ol' fashioned way" in Photoshop--at least for the most important images.

    For grayscale:

    Adjust using the Black and White adjustment filter.

    Convert to grayscale when you like the results.

     

    If you want TRUE duotone (for example, 2- or 5-color printing), you need to do those with spot color channels. 

     

    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
      smashkirk
      smashkirk
      Inspiring
      January 11, 2025

      I agree that doing it in Photoshop is best for achieving proper grays, but when I'm iterating quickly and just want to test a design concept I should be able to convert a colour image to grayscale directly in InDesign. Then when I prepare for production I can adjust all my images properly at that time.

      Robert at ID-Tasker
      Robert at ID-Tasker
      Legend
      November 5, 2024

      @marilencastillo

       

      If you work on Windows - you could use my ID-Tasker tool - not free, but it can process multiple images, from multiple Documents - using Photoshop to do the conversion. And can do a lot more. 

       

      leo.r
      Community Expert
      leo.rCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 5, 2024

      Color2Gray is still available:

      https://rorohiko.com/wordpress/indesign-downloads/color2gray-for-indesign/

      smashkirk
      smashkirk
      Inspiring
      January 11, 2025

      I tried this plugin and it would not allow me to open InDesign because it thought it was malware. Had to delete it. Back to the old way I guess. 

      leo.r
      Community Expert
      leo.rCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 11, 2025
      quote

      I tried this plugin and it would not allow me to open InDesign because it thought it was malware. Had to delete it. 


      By @smashkirk

       

      Are you on Mac? In this case it's macOS that displays these messages. You can try to run the plug-in again. After the security warning is displayed, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security, at the bottom there may be an option that enables you to allow to run this plug-in.

       

      If not, you can try to contact the developer for more info.

        kglad
        Community Expert
        kgladCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        November 5, 2024

        in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

        p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.



        <"moved from cc desktop">
        Abhishek Rao
        Community Manager
        Abhishek RaoCommunity Manager
        Community Manager
        November 5, 2024

        Hi @marilencastillo,

         

        Currently, the AI-powered InDesign doesn’t have a direct option to convert linked color photos to grayscale or duotone. You can:

         

        1. Select the image, go to the 'Effects' panel, and adjust blending modes or opacity for a grayscale effect.
        2. Open the linked image in Photoshop, convert it to grayscale or duotone, save it, and InDesign will update the link automatically.

         

        Keep an eye out for updates as Adobe often adds new features based on user needs!

         

        Let me know if you have more questions!

         

        Best,  
        Abhishek Rao

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