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A
Anonymous
June 23, 2011
Question

Using InDesign 5.5 with InDesign 5 files

  • June 23, 2011
  • 3 replies
  • 26627 views

A co-worker has InDesign 5.5 and wants to edit my InDesign 5 documents. Is this possible and will it cause problems with formatting and the fonts?

Thanks

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    3 replies

    J
    jr2_Blackridge
    Participating Frequently
    July 26, 2011

    I'm not very sympathetic to Adobe right now. The justification for changing a file format (yet again) sounds hollow, and in agreement with other posts, has the outward appearance of being designed to force an upgrade chain-reaction.

    OK - I get it.  The rapidly changing technology landscape necessitates changing the file format to accommodate new innovations. But somehow I'm not convinced. Perhaps the lawyers and the accountants were put in the same room to figure out how to get past the accounting rules. And perhaps you've made us jaded Adobe.  The PSD file format is backwards compatible to the point of being  useful, but for InDesign (and Flash) there seems to be consistent file  format incompatibility from each major verison (and now minor verisons  too?!).

    So it seems there is either an apparent (and recurring) lack of vision on the part of the engineers during the development of major product releases, or an inability to create a versitile adaptable file format (really?), or there is a revenue strategy.  Or some combination of all of the above. Regardless, it makes me and my clients hot under the collar to suddenly have to wrangle different file format versions while on a deadline because someone blindsides the workflow with a file format change -- this time based on an incremental version change?!

    So Adobe hasn't compelled me to upgrade based on new indespensible technology or productivity advances. No, it has forced the upgrade based on a file format change they claim is needed to implement features that I don't require -- in an incremental upgrade.  I wonder what percentage of the install base will actually use it.

    And now for the real issue:  The nightmare begins yet again - trying to service different clients with their various CS versions.  Trying to keep them happy while training them to export (continually reminding them about the "don't forget to export to IDML" extra step), not to mention the apologies for Adobe messing up the workflow.  Sure I can upgrade, or not.  But I have no control over their budget cycles, and their ability to keep in step.  And given that it was about a year ago that they made their way to CS5 (or not), this is a royal pain.

    Adobe - you haven't improved my productivity with InDesign 5.5.  You have actually made it more difficult to get things done.  Hopefully I can appreciate what you have created in the future, but right now, I'm just plain angry.  Call me when CS6 is released and the file format has changed yet again.

      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 26, 2011

      Lose the conspiracy theory. If that were case Illustrator, Photoshop and Dreamweaver would have the same issues.

      Bob

      J
      jr2_Blackridge
      Participating Frequently
      July 26, 2011

      Maybe they are being run by the A-Team.  How about not forcing $500 incremental version upgrades that disrupt workflows as they ripple through the user base. 

      F
      fumblerooskie
      Participating Frequently
      July 8, 2011

      Milk that cash cow! Never-mind that you piss off your customers. I guess we'll have to expect an upgrade EVERY SINGLE YEAR from now on.

      You know Adobe, Quark was once as arrogant and careless about customer service as you have become. Keep that in mind.

      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 8, 2011

      I can assure yout that nobody cares if you upgrade or not. If there are features you think are worth it, buy it...if not, don't.

      It's called capitalism. Someone makes something and others decide whether to buy it or not.

      Bob

      F
      fumblerooskie
      Participating Frequently
      July 8, 2011

      You couldn't be more wrong. It's imperative that I upgrade to every new version. It's not about relatively minor new features, most of which are uneeded by anybody, but COMPATIBILTY with existing and new customers. It's not a matter of choice.

      Coming out with a new version every 12-18 months is completely unecessary from a customer point of view. And if Adobe doesn't care about pissing off customers with another too-soon upgrade, like you assert Bob, then why are they in business?  And by the way, what's it to you?

      A
      Air Bob
      Participant
      June 23, 2011

      ID 5.5 has a new file format. Files created or saved with 5.5 don't open in 5.0. The solution is to export in interchange format (IDML) so that 5.0 can reopen the file.

      What a pain!

      A
      Anonymous
      June 23, 2011

      When I save it in an IDML file and then he edits it in InDesign 5.5, and saves it in a IDML will formatting be changed or any other problems when I open it in InDesign 5?

      I did not get my upgrade for CS5 wen it was free and now it costs $400. Do you see any reason to upgrade to CS 5.5?

      Thanks Carol

      John Hawkinson
      John Hawkinson
      Inspiring
      June 23, 2011

      When I save it in an IDML file and then he edits it in InDesign 5.5, and saves it in a IDML will formatting be changed or any other problems when I open it in InDesign 5?

      It may.

      If you use CS5.5-specific features, then it certainly will change.

      If not, it probably won't, but it could... if you test it, you should see consistent results.

      But it's not a recommended workflow and nobody is going to give you a guarantee.

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