How to convert from adobe illustrator to indesign?

[manylists]

I have eps files and ai files that the printer would prefer to have in indesign. Although they can do this I thought I should learn if and how this can be done.

Thank you!    

[Stix_Hart]

That's a pretty simple explanation of what could be a complex problem, why do they want them in Indesign would be my question.

Anyway, there's two ways both with pros and cons, 1st is to place them, File > Place.  This leaves the file where it is and in the same format etc and links to it, as many times as needed.  If you change the source file, it will then change in all instances.  If there are problems with the source file (one possible reason the printer says they "want them in Indesign") it probably won't fix it.

The 2nd way is to open them in Illustrator, copy, then paste into Indesign.  This means you can then edit the file directly in Indesign (up to a point) but you lose the advantage of being able to place many times, edit once.  Once again, there are certain files this will be a problem with too, too many variable to mention.

Report back with how you go for more information....

[Daniel Flavin]

Illustrator is a vector based drawing program, of which some less complex features are included within InDesign.

InDesign is a page layout system, of which, some basic (typographical & linking) features can be utilized within Illustrator. They are different tools for different uses - both occasionally used where the other would be more appropriate and efficient.

Aside from copying and pasting, it just doesn't happen.

If you supplied pages which encompessed mostly type with modest graphic features, than the printer may have a valid request...but I don't think rebuilding a file is worth the time you will invest. (If you had to ask the question, you don't know the hurdles involved)

[Scott Falkner]

I strongly suggest you find a new printer who can handle Illustrator files. Anyone who can’t, or won’t, output from an Adobe Illustrator file is not a professional.

[Macaliscious]

Excellent question! I understand the issue your dealing with. I have a print ready illustrator file that I created for an alternate screen pdf. The client now wants an interactive pdf with video, transitions, page menu, text links and so on. I now need to convert an entire document to an inDesign file to use the interactive features that illustrator does not have.

Suggesting a new printer is  'not professional', and bad advice. If my printer tells me he can do a 5 day job in 2 hrs with an inDesign file. I'm not going to argue, or look for a new printer. With various printers, It could be a complex digital process, or as simple as preference for InDesign.

I understand the query is how to convert from Illustrator to inDesign.

I am now converting my illustrator graphics to eps, and resetting all typography. InDesign has some excellent time-saving tools to expedite the process in large multipage files. I have not found any converters, or cut and paste plugins. I am going to try and write a script that will help place the eps as links so they can be updated quickly and automatically when source file in illustrator is edited, it will then change in all instances. as mentioned by Stix Hart-KVH1f4‌ . I think this is the best way, as cutting and paste bloats your inDesign document. I will keep my printer and try and improve my process...

[Peter Spier]

You know that this thread is 5 years old, right?

As far as converting to EPS, why bother? Save the illustrator files as .ai with PDF compatibility (which has been the default for quite a few versions, and place the .ai in InDesign. EPS is a deprecated format and frequently causes problems downstream -- it has no support for either transparency or color management, and ID is unable to "internalize" the postscript.

[Eugene Tyson]

Macaliscious wrote:

Suggesting a new printer is  'not professional', and bad advice.

Absolutely in no way is this bad advice!

If your printer can't handle industry standard files from any industry standard software then find a printer who can handle the industry standard workflow!

[Eugene Tyson]

Save it as a PDF.

Invest in some third party software

PDF to InDesign, Convert PDF to InDesign, PDF to InDesign converter

Clean up the InDesign file.

Copying and pasting from Illustrator to InDesign is crazy.

Workflow for Illy to InDesign

Place the AI file in InDesign - set the layer to locked - and create a new layer above.

Use the template to overlay items created in indesign only.

Text

There only good way to get text from Illy to InDesign is to export the text as RTF.

Place that into InDesign.

Vectors

Save all vectors as individual files and use File>Place to place them in InDesign

Photos/Graphics

Unembed the photos - there should a be button in the control bar when you have a photo selected to unembed

Once you unembed there's an option to save the photo

If there isn't then it's linked - follow the link to place that File in File>Place in InDesign

Basically - recreate the whole thing in InDesign.

Don't rely on flimsy copy and paste.

Don't rely on 3rd party software

Do it from scratch - or face consequences.

[cbishop01]

Just take the EPS file and save it as PDF.  most printers can use those.  and You can edit PDF's to add trap etc....  then your not rebuilding the file.  as far as copy and paste from illustrator to indesign this will work with some artwork however if its complex you may lose quality or it may not paste correctly.

[Eugene Tyson]

cbishop01  wrote

Just take the EPS file and save it as PDF.  most printers can use those.  and You can edit PDF's to add trap etc....  then your not rebuilding the file.  as far as copy and paste from illustrator to indesign this will work with some artwork however if its complex you may lose quality or it may not paste correctly.

Obv didn't read opening post - printer wants Indesign files not PDF.

[BobLevine]

Eugene, this thread is almost three years old.

[renaemp2]

I realize this is a very old topic, but I'm looking for an answer to this exact thing. Maybe time is my friend in this case *crosses fingers*

Is there a way to convert placed ai files to vector so they're editable within InDesign?

My reasons for the 'why' questions above: printing to different presses/substrates where (custom named) colors need to match. Adding stokes to reversed out logos to help with fill-in on press. The old 'white set to overprint' headache, etc. These are all very easy to manage/change globally within indd when the art is vector, but not so much with 100+ different links.

The files provided have 5-10 placed ai logos per page, each doc is 10-25 pages. There are dozens upon dozens of docs. Normally the client sends them as vector but they outsourced it this time so I'm looking for a solution (script?) to avoid swapping logos manually.

ANY help is appreciated!!!

[BobLevine · Accepted solution]

Nothing’s changed. The answer is still no.

[effectist]

What I've done before is export a PDF to Microsoft Word and then use the place tool to flow it into InDesign.

You'll still have to do some leg work but it gets a lot of the text work done.

P.S. So what if the thread is old, people search for this stuff all the time.

[Laubender]

Hi effectist,

maybe I do not get what you are suggesting.

I think, the OP wanted to get editable vector objects on the InDesign page where formerly there were placed EPS and AI files with PDF preview.

Can you tell in detail how this should be accomplished by placing EPS or AI graphics to Microsoft Word documents?

What version of MS Word are you suggesting on what operating system?

Thanks,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )