Display Performance different on 'Paste in Place' and Place

Report · Oct 17, 2018

Hey Guys!

I have some trouble with InDesign recently. While I was fully satisfied with a small project, I copied the file and replaced the images in my rectangle frame. This time, I linked the images instead of just paste it in the frames. Then I saw a huge differece in high quality performace: The Quality on the pasted images are much better than the ones I have linkes. No matter if they are embedded or just linkes. The quality is not as good as I get it when I just paste and place an image from the same soruce.

First I thought it was a cache, gpu driver or whatever problem. I just updated to V14, but the issue started in V13.

Now I opened a similar file the one I am working on is based on. And there it was: The issue is HOW I link an image into a frame.

There has to be some options on how the linkes images are displayed.

The upper one is the one with copy and past, the bottom one is linked.
The qualities are on high of course.

As I mentioned: Cache is empty, Driver is updated, InDesign is updated on V14, Computer restarted and so on.. I am pretty sure this is an options issue. Would be great to get some help.

Thanks in advance

Report · Oct 17, 2018

That is a very good point.

Can you precise the file format of the file you are linking? It is possible that the preview can look a bit rough when a certain type of file is linked.

Can you describe the result (print or export to pdf) with the linked file?

Don't forget that from the View menu you can change the display performance to allocate a bit more memory to the document and display it with higher quality. The display performance has no impact on the quality of the finished product.

Instead of allocating more video memory to the whole document (and slow down your computer) you can right-click on an image/graphic and adjust the display performance of that element only; being more strategic on how you use the video memory.

Report · Oct 17, 2018

Forgot to mention: The exported file (PDF) looks fine. There is no problem. Its just the preview.

I am using a PNG file. JPGs are all fine. But still: Why is there a difference between link and paste a file?

The picture you can see is no manipulation. its two frames with exactly the same source of image.

One is copy paste, the other one is linked to the source file (same with embedded files).

Its a six pages document so the view is all set on high quality. I know how that works on each frame. But my question is why it displays differently. Because I am often working with embedded PNG files.

Report · Oct 17, 2018

In the Info panel, what is the psi/dpi indicated for each option?

PNG and JPG's work well, would you consider linking the source file (PhotoShop or illustrator)?

Report · Oct 17, 2018

I would consider using the PNG because I am using the same source for my online prototypes.

The PSDs have mostly canvases, which are not really supported by InDesign like PDFs are.

So I have to embed the whole board which will end in extending the embedded file size to 10x bigger (7.5mb PNG compared to 98mb PSD in this case).

Its all in 72dpi since its a webproject.

Report · Oct 17, 2018

A 7.5 Mb png for a web project? that seems really large.

A link will not 'cost' you the 98Mb of the PSD.

What does the Info panel report for you pasted and linked images? If your png is so large, by compressing it to make it fit, the pixel will not show nicely in the preview.

Report · Oct 17, 2018

Eric, I appreciate your help. But it seems we are getting out of the main topic. It is a large project I am presenting these files directly to the customer. Its about 1920px by 5000ish so 7.5mb is perfectly fine to me. The picture is not compressed and as I mentioned before: The source is EXACTLY the same!

I cant even imagine that the copied source has more quality than the one I am linking or embedding. I have tried several files with the same width. Same issue! There has to be an option or something making the linked image compressed or something. And thats the part I dont get: Why am I getting different preview qualities from the same file? Thats the issue, not the compression!

I dont want a bypass. I need a solution or at least an explenation why InDesign is handling the preview differently while using the same file! You understand that running away from problems is never a solution

Report · Oct 18, 2018

Hi Henryk,

We would like to understand the issue in more detail.

I have written to you separately seeking some more information.

We look forward to your response.

Thanks and Regards

Pragya Kandari

InDesign Engineering Team

Report · Oct 18, 2018

Hey Pragya, where have you sent your message? This is a team account from my company, I would like to give you a seperate mail address.