Can referenced graphics be converted to embedded graphics?

[jay fresno]

If a graphic is imported by reference, is there a way to change the graphic to an embedded graphic without having to delete and re-import it?

[Arnis_Gubins · Accepted solution]

No direct method. You can try clicking on the graphic, then File > Import > File and FM remembers the selected name. Just change the import option to "Copy into Document" and then click on the Replace button.

[However, this is a step backwards to the recommended way to deal with FM graphics, i.e. Import by Reference. Your files will really bloat and FM is known to sometimes spontaneously forget some graphics, which will leave you with just a grey rectangle and no way of knowing what the original import file was called.]

[jay fresno]

Thanks for the tip, Arnis. I agree it is a step backward but for some content management systems the graphics can't be referenced.

[FieryPantone]

for some content management systems the graphics can't be referenced

Name names :-} so we can learn from your experience …

[Bob_Niland]

>> ...for some content management systems the graphics can't be referenced

> Name names :-} so we can learn from your experience

A CMS that doesn't allow objects to be imported by reference into WP/DTP apps is almost an oxymoron. Forcing copy-into-document (CID) damages a major point of using a CMS in the first place - document stewardship.

This a particular problem for FM, because it keeps no useful metadata for CID objects. The original filename may be shown in the headers of some import types (such as EPS), but even then does not record the path, and the name is not made visible to the document maintainer in FM. Unless right-click Object Properties has been enhanced in later FMs, FM provides no way to manually add metadata for imports (which meta of course could easily get overlooked, contain errors, or fail to be updated on changes). You can look in the MIF, but get used to disappointment.

Using such a defective CMS, you can re-create any prior version of the document, and see who did what, but you can't trace the imported objects to where they came from.

[Mike Wickham]

Adapt Graphics Imports, one of the modules for the Finalyser plugin from

squidds.de lets you change all graphics from referenced to copied in a

book. You may have to write them to inquire about it. I'd give you a

link, but they are notorious for constantly rearranging their website.

So the links I last saved are, once again, no longer working.