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PASO ProdSpec
Participant
August 28, 2023
Answered

InDesign file and linked Illustrator file strange issues?

  • August 28, 2023
  • 4 replies
  • 2109 views

So I've had an InDesign file that included a linked AI file. No issues while I was working on it. Exported into a PDF just fine and the PDF reflected the accurate designs I made. AI file is packaged with the ID file. No issues when I made edits and re-exported. 

 

However, now suddenly the ID file is looking really weird in some parts of the linked AI file:

This is the way the graphic looks in the ID file but not the original AI file. The two icons and labels on the right should be similar to the two on the left. The links were updated and Relinked. 

 

How do I fix this? Is there another workaround? Does this have to do with Creative Cloud syncing being discontinued soon?

 

Thank you!

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Beatrice5DEE

    Thank you! It was the PDF/X-4 setting. Solved! 

    4 replies

    Willi Adelberger
    Community Expert
    Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 23, 2023

    Did you open the Illustrator file after packaging?

    Uses the Illustrator T1 fonts?

    What form of Illustrator file do you place? AI, EPS, PDF or SVG?

    B
    Beatrice5DEE
    Inspiring
    November 23, 2023

    This Illustrator issue reminds me so much of CORELDRAW issues I used to have way back... everything in Illustrator needs to be FLATTENED (exported as JPEGS etc) for it to not cause issues in Indesign. Otherwise you can just not create a PDF file. Really irritating - as the back and forth syncing is really an amazing feature in Adobe programmes! Didn't have this issue in the last 5 years. PLEASE FIX THIS!! 

    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    BobLevineCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 23, 2023

    Whatever problems you're having should be stated in detail in a new discussion. I've been placing AI files in InDesign for 20 years with no issues at all. Fun Fact: you are not placing the AI file, you're placing the PDF portion of it and if you don't save it properly (use the default PDF/X-4 settings) you will have problems.

     

    And I never had issues with CorelDRAW files, either. They did have to be saved as EPS but they worked fine. 

      B
      Beatrice5DEECorrect answer
      Inspiring
      May 20, 2024

      Thank you! It was the PDF/X-4 setting. Solved! 

      Bill Silbert
      Community Expert
      Bill SilbertCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 30, 2023

      If you create a new InDesign file and import the AI file into it do you get the same results? If the AI looks correct in the new file then your old InDesign file is most likely corrupt.

      P
      PASO ProdSpecAuthor
      Participant
      August 30, 2023

      It's looking like this issue is originating from the AI file. I went through and fixed the image issues (re-made the graphic and re-made the disappearing text), saved it, then the next day the file reverted back to the mysterious errors.

      Bill Silbert
      Community Expert
      Bill SilbertCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 30, 2023

      Which is why I'm thinking that it might be the InDesign file that's wonky.

      E
      Community Expert
      Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 29, 2023
      quote

      Does this have to do with Creative Cloud syncing being discontinued soon?

       

      Thank you!


      By @PASO ProdSpec

      No it doesn't. 

       

      What are your view settings - I wrote an article here

      https://creativepro.com/high-res-image-look-low-res/

       

      This will take you through all the options from Display Settings to Object level display settings - preferences etc.

       

      If this isn't working then try

       

       

      If a document is not behaving well then try 

      File>Export 

      Choose IDML

      Open the IDML in InDesign
      Save the file as a new InDesign file with a new name
      See if the issue persists.

       

       

       

       

      P
      PASO ProdSpecAuthor
      Participant
      August 30, 2023

      I tried both of those suggestions, but no changes unfortunately.

      This might be an Illustrator issue. I re-created the graphic in Illustrator, saved it as its corrected version, only to have it revert back to the corrupted-looking graphic in my original post's image.

      P
      PASO ProdSpecAuthor
      Participant
      August 30, 2023

      To add, there's also text that keeps disappearing. 

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