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forrestw73251229
forrestw73251229
Participant
August 17, 2017
Answered

Taking a multi page illutrator document and converting it to indesign

  • August 17, 2017
  • 6 replies
  • 452 views

Hello! recently I started working on a large scale "powerpoint type" project in illustrator because I was more comfortable in that program. The project has almost 30 or so art boards, but I now need to take the illustrator project and convert it to indesign because that is how the client wants it. The text all needs to be live and what not as well. I have no idea how to do this the best way. please help!

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Steve Werner

    That's almost an impossible job at this time. InDesign and Illustrator have different text engines. It's impossible currently to copy formatted text between Illustrator and InDesign. You can copy only unformatted text, one frame at a time.

    There is no direct export from Illustrator to InDesign that would leave it editable. And Illustrator can import Rich Text Format and Word files, but cannot export them.

    Basically, it will have to be recreated. You could place parts of the Illustrator file but they would not be editable.

    6 replies

    H
    hanifm10909790
    Participant
    March 6, 2018

    Thank you i also installation adobe illustrator, thank you so much to 

    Steve Werner
    Community Expert
    Steve WernerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 17, 2017

    Willi, currently copying from AI to a library only copies an uneditable graphic. Probably this will change. But not for this project.

    Willi Adelberger
    Community Expert
    Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 17, 2017

    If you are on CC 2017 use the CC Library. Add the whole page content from Illustrator into the Library, take it from there in InDesign. This workflow will be improved in the future.

    S
    SJRiegel
    Legend
    August 17, 2017

    The best way -- set up a template with paragraph styles in InDesign, and then copy your text over to it.The images will have to be placed into InDesign.

    The easiest way to match your current Illustrator layouts would be to place the illustrator files on a lower layer, reduce their opacity and then lock the layer. You can then use this as a guide in placing and sizing images. When you are done, delete the entire layer

      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 17, 2017

      As Steve says and to answer your question more directly, you are likely best off recreating everything from scratch.

      And quite frankly, just because you’re more comfortable using one application over another doesn’t make it the right tool. Just because you have a hammer does not make the whole world a nail.

        Steve Werner
        Community Expert
        Steve WernerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
        Community Expert
        August 17, 2017

        That's almost an impossible job at this time. InDesign and Illustrator have different text engines. It's impossible currently to copy formatted text between Illustrator and InDesign. You can copy only unformatted text, one frame at a time.

        There is no direct export from Illustrator to InDesign that would leave it editable. And Illustrator can import Rich Text Format and Word files, but cannot export them.

        Basically, it will have to be recreated. You could place parts of the Illustrator file but they would not be editable.

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