Contour of linked Vector Graphics in InDesign

[L.Stein]

Hello,

I am looking for a suitable solution for the recurrent creation of instruction manuals.

I get svg files from a CAD program that I edit in Illustrator. Then I place them in InDesign (.ai, no color, just black contour). They are often too complex to just copy and paste. However, when the image is made larger or smaller in the layout, the contour no longer fits. Is there a solution to be set so that the same contours are always selected in InDesign?

Or is a better solution in the choice of the format possible?

Maybe im thinking in the wrong workflow ...

Thanks for all the answers.

[BobLevine]

That doesn't make any sense to me. Maybe some screenshots would help.

[teachbit · Accepted solution]

Hello,

and if you save the ai file without contour and add the contour in InDesign? You can create an object style so it will be the same width for alle the objects, that use this object style.

[Lhemz0527]

I just thought that you might mean "container" rather than "contour" since it is an imported artwork.

Always press Control+Shift (Cmd+Shift in Mac) when resizing the image within InDesign

[Jongware]

Or resize at will and then select "Fitting > Fit Content to Frame" (if you thought of constraining the x/y size ratio) or "Fitting > Fit Content Proportionally" (if you did not).

[L.Stein]

Thank you so much for all your answers!

The thing is, that I simply can not copy and paste these graphics in InDesign, because InDesign does not allow this.
A coworker of mine had two ideas:

1. simplify paths in illustrator (works very well)

2. got to preferences -> clipboard -> check AICB and remove the checkmark on PDF

Now simply copy and paste the path from Illustrator in InDesign works and i dont have to place it (Strg+D). Now I can do what you already suggested, I create object styles and everthing works fine. No matter how big the graphic will be, the contour remains the same.

Note: English is not my native language, so terms may be different.