I need to resize hidden layers and objects with Adjust Layout.

Question

Hello. I have an InDesign document with around 100 layers, each with 5 to 50 objects within the layer. Entire layers are turned off from visibility but also every single placed image field other than the one on top is hidden from visibility. This is because I have used my InDesign document to export product images for my website. I have my background image on a horizontal and vertical page and all products are placed images within a layer representing a product category. I do this because it is so easy to swap out an image in InDesign compared to Photoshop and it's heavy duty layers and exporting is fast. In the end it means that I have some single layers with 60 or more image fields, each hidden after exporting.

However, I am wanting to change the overall pixel dimensions of the document at this point, because I realized I don't need nearly as a higher resolution as I had thought originally, and therefore to make for easier export without having to resize afterwards in batch or separately (or forget).

Most importantly, I don't want to mess up the placement of all of the thousands of images already in the document. I thought I could use adjust layout but apparently it will not adjust anything that is hidden—which makes sense by default but I am not seeing any toggle anywhere to include all of my hidden images and layers. This would be a super massive enormous failure on Adobe's part if that's true, unless someone here has a solution I'm not seeing online. I've been using adjust layout for a number of years and I guess that I've never used it on non-visible layers? I don't see how that's possible... But it must be?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

alandadd · Accepted Answer

Just had a quick reread.

You could start a new document - at the size you want.

Place the InDesign file into the new document - now it's the right size.

Save the file.

So you edit the original. Open your new file. Update the link. Export the file.

Would that work?

Eugene,

I'm creating all new InDesign files at exactly 2048, yes, and otherwise simply continuing to batch re-size, which is all fast enough in the end.

I was simply looking for information regarding either: 1> the export command, and if there was a way to specify dimensions (math doesn't work, Jens, which I am great at, because I'd have to use a decimaled ppi to get the correct dimension, and you obviously can't) or 2> re-size layout option including hidden images and layers

I didn't need everyone's advice on how they would have done it differently, that's not helpful, or empathetic. It's about you, and your method.

Also, you're wrong about many things Jens. 300 dpi does matter, a great deal, and although a web browser should display the same dimensions regardless of dpi, it isn't standard, or guarenteed, and mostly it's sloppy.

I am using InDesign for many good reasons, and I have worked for large coorporations where the workflow was identical, especially when creating multiple banners from the same original layout, with dozens of simple variations. It's actually very common, and that's why InDesign has web documents on it's effin startup page.

I did a similar project in Photoshop with hundreds of layers and many dozens of layer comps and it was super brutal to work with, bloated files, too much room for error, no better image quality at all.

I wanted to keep only one InDesign file for each product type, to minimize copy / multiple file sync/errors. That and because because I will need to go back occasionally and change or re-output some of the product images.With InDesign, you simply drag your replacement image from the finder to an InDesign image box, it automatically replaces the image with the new one, with the same placement and dimensions intact. Then a quick cmd-e and I'm done. Wash, rinse repeat.

Again, Willi and Eugene, I appreciate the attempt to wrap your heads around the project,

but even after I uploaded my examples, Jens decided to just wave his ignorant [abuse removed by moderator] in my face basically, and ain't nobody got time for that.

Case: Not solved, but I'll suss it until Adobe improves on their well-used file-export modal.

Jens Trost · Answer

Hi there,I've only cross-read the thread, so forgive me if I misunderstood something or somebody already mentioned it.Why is it so vital for you to keep 72 ppi?The actual pixel dimension is what you want and need to change and Eugene already mentioned how to do.Besides that there are scripts where you can input a pixel dimension and it will export it to that (if you hate math ;))Assuming you've set up your document in pixel dimensions InDesign exports the dimenions 1:1 to pixel if you type in 72. If you need it smaler just set a lower value, so the 36 ppi should do it in your case (half resolution -> half pixel dimensions).I'm in print at home, so I don't know what web browsers do, but a quick test in Chrome showed a image with 1000 px and 72 ppi displays exactly the same as the image in 1000 px with 10 ppi.It's probably just like the allmighty "300 dpi" ... it's complety irrelevant (not to say wrong, I won't get started on the dpi vs. ppi topic here) if you don't know the actual physical dimensions.

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