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jarods80903597
Participating Frequently
March 3, 2017
Answered

Cant release compound path: InDesign

  • March 3, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 6522 views

I'm working on a monthly newsletter and have previously released the compound path in order to paste an image into a vector as described here​. However I went to do the same thing today, on the same document, with the same file, and "release compound path" was greyed out. I spent an hour trying to get it to work again with no avail.

Thanks in advance

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer rob day

    You have to copy and paste the gear from Illustrator. The Clipboard preference will affect a paste, make sure Prefer PDF When Pasting is unchecked.

    but why doesn't it show up as compound path in InDesign

    When you place a file it is linked to the InDesign document and you can't edit the object in InDesign. You would have to edit the file in another application, but in this case it won't help because if you release the compound path you still won't be able to select the inner circle and add an image.

    3 replies

    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 3, 2017

    The english version of Vinny's post—if the selected object isn't listed as <compound path> Release Compound Path will be grayed out.

    J
    jarods80903597Author
    Participating Frequently
    March 3, 2017

    Okay, makes sense, but why doesn't it show up as compound path in InDesign? The graphics was a compound path in illustrator before being pasted into InDesign. Is there a way to convert it back or what might I be doing wrong?

    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    March 3, 2017

    You have to copy and paste the gear from Illustrator. The Clipboard preference will affect a paste, make sure Prefer PDF When Pasting is unchecked.

    but why doesn't it show up as compound path in InDesign

    When you place a file it is linked to the InDesign document and you can't edit the object in InDesign. You would have to edit the file in another application, but in this case it won't help because if you release the compound path you still won't be able to select the inner circle and add an image.

    Mike Witherell
    Community Expert
    Mike WitherellCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 3, 2017

    Are you using the white direct selection tool to click on the path edge?

    Did you build it on the master page, but must override it to the local page?

    Mike Witherell
    vinny38
    vinny38
    Legend
    March 3, 2017

    Hi Jarod

    Open your Layers Panel, select your cog and check you Layers panel info.

    Is it a compound path, separate paths, a group, or something else?

    Let us know

    J
    jarods80903597Author
    Participating Frequently
    March 3, 2017

    I've attached a screenshot of my layers panel, the two called transGear.ai are the cogs. The two i got to show work appear as a polygon with a pasted graphic inside, and the other a text frame with a pasted graphic for some reason.

    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 3, 2017

    The two i got to show work appear as a polygon with a pasted graphic inside, and the other a text frame with a pasted graphic for some reason

    Your layer is showing <TransGears.ai> and the .ai means you have placed and not pasted the object. To get a compound path you can edit in InDesign you will have to paste the paths.

    Also the Clipboard preference will affect a paste. Make sure Prefer PDF When Pasting is unchecked.

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