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Yoni34575889derh
Inspiring
August 1, 2024
Answered

Bounding Box Too Large When Copying Graphics from Illustrator to InDesign

  • August 1, 2024
  • 6 replies
  • 3825 views

I am trying to copy graphics from Illustrator to Indesign but the bounding box gets very large for no reason at all. I'm just  clicking ctrl c and ctrl v

I'm attaching pictures for example

 

 

<Title renamed by MOD>

 

Correct answer Dave Creamer of IDEAS

With the art open in Illustrator, use the Object>Path>Clean up option. Look for stray points. This is often the cause of large bounding boxes. 

 

Also, I recommend placing, not pasting as a general rule.

 

6 replies

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
August 2, 2024

With the art open in Illustrator, use the Object>Path>Clean up option. Look for stray points. This is often the cause of large bounding boxes. 

 

Also, I recommend placing, not pasting as a general rule.

 

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
Abhishek Rao
Community Manager
Community Manager
August 5, 2024

Hello @Yoni34575889derh

 

I hope you are doing well.

 

We wanted to follow up on the status of your issue. Were you able to resolve it by following our expert's advice? If so, please share the solution that worked for you, as it may help others in the community experiencing a similar issue.

 

Feel free to update the discussion if you need any further assistance.

 

Thank you,

Abhishek Rao

Participant
August 24, 2025

Thanks for this

Community Expert
August 2, 2024

Hi @Yoni34575889derh ,

what happens if you ungroup the pasted object from Illustrator?

Would the bounding box shrink to the desired object?


Or do you see other objects selected so the bigger bounding box makes any sense?

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Expert )

Yoni34575889derh
Inspiring
August 20, 2024

Sorry didn't see it in time so I can't tell you but I got the correct answer. So thank you for trying to help

 

Bill Silbert
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 2, 2024

If your purpose is to bring "live" line art into InDesign (which can then be edited in InDesign) then copy and paste would be the correct way to go. Just make sure that rather than doing a Select-All of the object in Illustrator you use the regular Selection tool (black arrow) to draw a "marquee" around the object and then control-c that. If you are simply bringing Illustrator art that will always be edited in Illustrator then you should always do as Derek suggests and use File/Place to import the art.

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 2, 2024

How did you select that in Illustrator? Select all?

Is there perhaps a hidden element in the group? Maybe a guide? Check the Layers panel for that.

Yoni34575889derh
Inspiring
August 20, 2024

I checked and there are none. But I got the correct answer so thank you for your time monika

Robert at ID-Tasker
Legend
August 1, 2024

@Yoni34575889derh 

 

Illustrator have ArtBoards, etc. - so you need to "release" / ungroup them first - but I'm not an advanced user of Illustrator. I'm pretty sure @Monika Gause would be much better source of information.

 

And as @Derek Cross suggested - you should Place - just in case you'll have to replace / update those graphics in the future... But you'll have to "separate" them first anyway.

 

Derek Cross
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 1, 2024

Why don't you Place the Ai file in your InDesign document and scale it to size?

Yoni34575889derh
Inspiring
August 20, 2024

Seems like a lot of work:(

I have multiple designs and just the thought of doing it to each one makes my head dizzy

Robert at ID-Tasker
Legend
August 20, 2024
quote

Seems like a lot of work:(

I have multiple designs and just the thought of doing it to each one makes my head dizzy


By @Yoni34575889derh

 

It doesn't have to be - is there a "pattern"?