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New Participant
November 18, 2017
Question

Blurb Plug-In for Indesign CC 2018 Not Working

  • November 18, 2017
  • 6 replies
  • 6453 views

Computer: Mac Version 10.12.06
Software: Indesign CC 2018

I just downloaded and installed Blurb's new Indesign CC 2018 plug-in. I made sure to select the plug-in for my version of Indesign and the installation went without any hitches. However, when I try to launch the Blurb Book Creator Plug-In in Indesign, an error menu pops up and says that there has been "an unexpected error in the updating process" and that I need to install the latest version of the Blurb Book Creator plug-in. I didn't see a newer version on Blurb's website so I am super confused about what to do. I tried clearing all my plug-ins and reinstalling them and pretty much everything else any other forum told me to do in order to make the plug-in work but nothing helps.

Blurb's support is taking forever to get back to me sooooo yeah any advice would help lol

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    6 replies

    New Participant
    August 28, 2018

    It's now August 2018 and I'm on a brand new Mac with Adobe InDesign CC2018 - the blurb plug-in does not install at all. It says it's installed but it isn't.

    Steve Werner
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    August 28, 2018

    Contact Blurb support. It's not an Adobe problem.

    New Participant
    August 29, 2018

    I hear you -- I persisted and blurb support finally got back to me with a solution that let me download the plug-in from their hightail drop-box link. It worked immediately and I was able to download the plug-in and install it.

    Blurb suggested It might be a browser situation - I let blurb know I was using Google Chrome latest version on a MacBookPro 2018 using Adobe InDesign CC 2018. I also had tried to download the plug-in on Safari and was unable to -- I still don't know the answer as I've downloaded other dmg installers easily -- but at least they found me a work-around.

    The most important issue is communication and that support departments listen carefully to their clients' complaints, and do whatever they can to support them -

    New Participant
    July 16, 2018

    Hi,

    I am having the same issue. I have tried in on three separate Macs. Same result. The plugin crashes my inDesign. Deleting the plugin fixes the issue, but then I cannot make a Blurb book. I refuse to use their dumbed down Book Creator app. I agree that it is a Blurb problem. I have emailed them with screen shots, but no useful reply. I am asking my client to look for a new book printer.

    New Participant
    June 30, 2018

    In my case it's just because blurb.com was temporary down for maintainence. Plugin checks blurb's servers every starts.

    New Participant
    March 26, 2018

    Exact same situation. Tried the plug-in and directions but get the same message as you. Tomorrow it will be a week since I contacted Blurb. They replied with 2 different tech support people. No solution yet. Gone for the weekend. It's Monday now and no contact from them yet.

    New Participant
    July 9, 2018

    I'm getting the same error message, but at least Blurb has been trying to help me.  Maybe Adobe has decided they don't want us to use Blurb anymore.

    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 9, 2018

    How is this Adobe’s problem? The plugin is wonky and there’s nothing Adobe can do about it.

    Scott Citron
    Legend
    November 19, 2017

    You're under no obligation to use Blurb's ID plug-in for them to publish your book. Check their specs and create your own file to upload.

    New Participant
    November 20, 2017

    Oh I know lol I just wanted to make sure that I go the layout exactly right and since they have a plug-in I thought that would be the best option so I don't make any stupid mistakes =) lol And you're totally right, if the tech support team is not able to figure out what's going on, I can just sit down with one of my graphic design friends who have experience making books and have them check over my settings I got from Blurb's layout specification tool to make sure I inputted everything correctly. It's a "naw dur" thing I know but still better be safe than sorry hahaha =)

    Steve Werner
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 19, 2017

    This is not the first time we've heard of Blurb's bad customer support, I'm afraid.

    New Participant
    November 19, 2017

    Yeah that's what I've heard. Unfortunately I have to print from them (college requirements and all that). I was able to contact a representative eventually but apparently the entire IT department is gone for the weekend *grrrr*. Hopefully they'll follow through and contact me on Monday.....

    Derek Cross
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 19, 2017

    That's not my experience, on 15 December I emailed Blurb to ask them about the comparability of the plug-in and InDesign CC2018, and they replied the following day and I reproduce it in full for your information. They also followed it up asking if I needed any further information.

    Hi Derek,

    With the recent InDesign release, I can understand wanting to be sure that our plug-in would work. When you select the Create Cloud Versions of the plug-in, it will have the 2018 version available.

    When you are ready to upload your book, you might find the following suggestions helpful when using the plug-in:

    https://support.blurb.com/hc/en-us/articles/207792756-Best-practices-for-using-the-InDesign-Plug-in

    Also, before you make your book or magazine available to the general public, order a large quantity, or submit it for an important project or event, we recommend that you order and review a single printed copy first. That way you can make sure that the image resolution, color reproduction, trim, paper, binding, etc. meet your expectations. This can prevent costly mistakes in case there's an overlooked typo or other issue related to the content of your book. Be sure to leave enough time to order and receive an updated version if necessary.

    Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

    Best regards,

    Shayny

    Blurb Customer Support