Can someone please help explain linking/embedding image behaviour for files under 48kb?

Report · Jun 21, 2018

Hi,

According to adobe help on "Manage Graphic Links" - Manage linked or embedded graphics in Adobe InDesign

"If the bitmap image you place is 48K or smaller, InDesign automatically embeds the full‑resolution image instead of the screen-resolution version in your layout. InDesign displays these images in the Links panel, so that you can control versions and update the file whenever you like; however, the link is not necessary for optimal output."

So, when I saw a linked image of size approx. 5kb, (see below) I couldn't understand why the image was missing and being reported as a "missing link". According to the above, it should have been embedded automatically? Does it have something to do with it being a PNG?

So then I was even more confused when I saw linked images that were also less than 48kb - in one case approx. 24kb - that were being reported as "missing link" - and yet seem to have been automatically embedded, as per Adobe's specification above?

I understand why the missing link error is occuring - the InDesign file was moved to another computer without the images - that's not at issue here - what is at issue is.... the automatic embedding is happening, then it's not happening? And the 48kb limit is being observed and then it's not being observed? Have I done something wrong? Is this a bug? Help? Thanks.

Report · Jun 21, 2018

Normally when you place a link a jpeg proxy is created for the preview— if the image is large enough you will get a progress bar for the proxy creation.

I think the help file’s use of the word embed is not the same as the Embed menu item in the links panel. If the file is below the 48kb threshold it no longer makes sense to create the proxy, and the actual pixels are used for the preview and a missing link wouldn’t affect output quality. However, if you don’t maintain the link you would still lose easy access to the original for editing. If you want to literally embed the small file you would still need to use the Embed menu item from the Links fly out.

Report · Jun 22, 2018

Thanks Rob - your answer has helped me to get my head around this a little bit more.

I think you're right - that Adobe seems to have 2 different meanings to "embed" - but that still doesn't make clear what those meanings are - I still have a file with an image smaller than 48kb that has a missing link and is not showing in the layout either - so truly missing - not even a preview - which Adobe would suggest does not happen.

I've tried to recreate this and I can't. I've tried linking, linking and embedding, saving with preview, saving without preview, copy and pasting and saving with and without preview - and there is always at least a preview in the layout when I reopen the file (after deleting the originals, to produce a missing link, in hopes of reproducing the empty picture frame)

So, still not quite answered - but thanks so far!

Report · Jun 21, 2018

When an image is placed in InDesign a low-resolution preview is generated and embedded in the file for viewing. If the image file is missing the embedded preview is still visible. This allows you to view something without InDeign having to load a full preview of all linked images. If the image is below the threshold (48 KB) then instead of generating a low resolution preview InDesign uses the full image as an embedded preview. The file is still placed as a link. so you still need the file for printing and exporting.

Report · Jun 22, 2018

Thanks Scott! I feel like I am getting closer on this - but still not quite there.

From what your saying, the preview is what I see in the layout, right?

And you say "The file is still placed as a link. so you still need the file for printing and exporting."

I have a file with missing links for images smaller and larger than 48kb, but it still has previews and will still print and export to pdf with images (albeit previews)

I also have a file with missing links for images smaller and larger than 48kb, but it has no previews in the layout - and does not print or export to pdf.

I can reproduce the situation for the 1st file - but not the 2nd file, try a I might, so far - and so I have no explanation for why that happens

Maybe some context will help? I am reviewing student work. All submitted files have missing links. Students sent InDesign files without inserted images. Some files still have previews and others don't - regardless of image size, in spite of what Adobe says - why? I would like to explain to students as we take the next step in managing images and consider why images need to be sent/packaged/embedded.

Thanks again.

Report · Jun 22, 2018

I also have a file with missing links for images smaller and larger than 48kb, but it has no previews in the layout - and does not print or export to pdf.

There could be a number of reasons for that, there could be an Effect applied to the image making it invisible or, like below, the image is not in the bounds of its parent frame.

If you click a link's page link the image should get selected, here I've done that and I can see the image has been moved outside of its frame so it is there but not visible.