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ori manor
ori manor
Inspiring
October 22, 2020
Answered

Color inconsistency when copying from Illustrator to InDesign

  • October 22, 2020
  • 7 replies
  • 13140 views

Hi

When trying to copy an object using simple Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V from Illustrator to Indesign, I get different colors. I mean, they are very similar but only less saturated.

I saw in another thread here people talking about the color profiles, but I checked and double checked and the color profiles in both apps are the same, and all other settings.

And, I don't want to use the import option, cuz it's more of a hussle.

This is really annoying.

 

BTW: when copying back from Indesign to Illustrator (or even PS) the original colors are back again.

Correct answer rob day

The RGB colors placed when the Transparency Blend Space is RGB:

 

 

With the blend space set to CMYK:

 

 

The blend space set to RGB, but with Overprint Preview turned on:  

 

7 replies

Vivacious_realist5D91
Vivacious_realist5D91
Participant
May 7, 2022

Open the file in Illustrator, export the swatches as an ASE file, load in InDesign from swatches panel menu (load swatches). In your AI Swatch Pallet, you have the option to Save Swatch library as ASE. The ASE file can then be imported into the InDesign Swatch Pallet (Load Swatches).

andrewt96546108
andrewt96546108
Participant
May 12, 2023

Upon saving I had 'Include CMYK PostScript in RGB Files' checked in the EPS options. Turned this off and now my colours look how they should in InDesign.

    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 27, 2020

    I just remembered theis has come up before Illustrator RGB Gradient swatches will not copy and paste with vectors, but if the AI doc is CMYK a gradient swatch will transfer.

    Jens Trost
    Jens Trost
    Inspiring
    October 27, 2020

    It is possible to convert the gradient into a gradient grid (or mesh?) (Object -> Convert -> Gradient grid, if I translated correctly), that dissects the gradient into separate objects and then they are still editable in InDesign and have the correct color.

    You can probably clean that up a bit, but that solution would be somewhat messed up and not sure I wouldn't recommend it...

    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    October 22, 2020

    The RGB colors placed when the Transparency Blend Space is RGB:

     

     

    With the blend space set to CMYK:

     

     

    The blend space set to RGB, but with Overprint Preview turned on:  

     

      ori manor
      ori manorAuthor
      Inspiring
      October 27, 2020

      Thank you

      This indeed explains why I see RGB object dull in Indesign, but still, when I copy and paste fro AI, the object still looks like CMYK

      rob day
      Community Expert
      rob dayCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 27, 2020

      Is the illustrator gradient made with process or spot colors (ie Pantone)?

      Randy Hagan
      Community Expert
      Randy HaganCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 22, 2020

      You may want to try inserting the Illustrator graphic into your document by using the File>Place... menu command and see if that makes a difference.

       

      Actually, you may want to always do that. It's the preferred way to put Illustrator files into InDesign, and precludes a number of issues like the one you are currently experiencing.

       

      You may also choose to lighten up on your Illustrator and InDesign interfaces. I find the default dark settings for their desktop exaggerates brightness, and scaling back to the lightest interfaces helps a lot with interpreting color between applications.

       

      Hope this helps,

       

      Randy

        E
        Community Expert
        Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        October 22, 2020

        On screen doesn't mean diddly squat.

        How does it output? 

         

        And how are your profiles applied. If you are just changing the profile that won't work - you need to assign the profile. 

         

         

        ori manor
        ori manorAuthor
        Inspiring
        October 27, 2020

        As you can see below, on both apps, the assigned profile is the same. But the result on screen is different

         

        Bill Silbert
        Community Expert
        Bill SilbertCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        October 22, 2020

        Try going into Illustrator preferences and if "AICB (no transparency support)" is checked, uncheck it.

          ori manor
          ori manorAuthor
          Inspiring
          October 27, 2020

          Thanks, I tried, but it didn't help

          rob day
          Community Expert
          rob dayCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          October 22, 2020

          Looks like your AI file‘s document color mode is RGB and there might be transparency in the object. If you want the InDesign preview to be RGB set your Transparency Blend Space to RGB and turn off Overprint Preview.

           

          Also, the application’s Color Settings do not necessarily color manage existing documents. Check Edit>Assign Profiles in both AI and ID and make sure the assigned profiles match. And if you are working on a print document, the color will eventually get converted to the destination CMYK space, so you will need to turn on Overprint preview to see the output color.

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