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Peter Reale
Participant
July 26, 2013
Answered

InDesign CC won't package my files

  • July 26, 2013
  • 19 replies
  • 61621 views

InDesign CC won't pacakge my graphic files with the following error; "Cannot copy necessary linked file(s).

I have recenly upgraded to CC version of InDesign, using InCopy text files, have never expreienced any issues with packaging before.

I also tried saving back to InDesign CS6 and opening in that version, also with the same error.

Any thoughts or assistance would be greatly appriiciated.

regards

Peter

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer roenoz

Check your links from links panel, there might be images with "/" in the filename. eg. photo/image.jpg or any invalid characters.

19 replies

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Kimberly Carney
Kimberly Carney
Participant
November 18, 2014

I too am having difficulties packaging a large document, Indesign CC. After reading I have double checked all of my linked file names, make outlines of questionable fonts, copied to my desktop off the server, and am still not able to package. Anyone? Have advice?

forgot to mention

Cannot copy necessary font(s)

Willi Adelberger
Community Expert
Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
November 18, 2014

Why making Outlines? Unless you  want to use them as image frame or as graphics it is a no go in InDesign. Never outline text in InDesign.

Kimberly Carney
Kimberly Carney
Participant
November 18, 2014

I only made outlines of a script font used in a couple of areas, thinking that might be the problem

iTinette
iTinette
Participating Frequently
November 15, 2014

Hi everyone! I have solved my issue resetting preferences that InDesign CC 2014 had automatically copied from previous version.

Now is working perfectly.

To reset preferences on a Mac:

1) press cmd+alt+ctrl+shit

2) launch the app

3) click yes when prompted to reset/cancel prefs

I hope it will work for everyone!

C
catapultcc
Participant
November 17, 2014

Brilliant, your solution worked for me. Thanks a lot!

iTinette
iTinette
Participating Frequently
November 15, 2014

I'm working with a InDesign CC 2014 tryout and this wonderful software won't make any package! After the contact information form nothing, absolutely nothing happens. There are not even images in my file, only fonts.

No I am not working on a server, I am working on iMac running Yosemite.

Next week I have to teach a small class about how to make an EPUBs from a classical catalogue. How can I do if they want to pack all their work…?

This thing is driving me mad. 

H
HollyRF
Participating Frequently
October 28, 2014

I don't know about everyone else, but my problems seem to be much better. I'm wondering if the last Adobe update addressed some of the issues. Anyone else seeing improvement?

F
Fran Gregory
Participating Frequently
October 24, 2014

I have encountered this problem on a huge scale with the last 2 brochures I have designed in InDesign CC 2014. Both files contain over 600 links and failed to package displaying the 'unable to copy linked files'. There is no further information on which files fail to copy.

I spent hours renaming all my links removing any punctuation, with no better outcome.

I eventually managed to copy all the links manually via the links panel 'Utilities' > 'Copy Links To' function, however this also failed on number our occasions and would at times only copy a handful at a time, it took hours.

This has also happened again today with a file which contained just 1 link. However, the file was originally created in InDesign CC.

This makes me ask whether 2014 version cannot deal with files created in an earlier version?

If I could uninstall the 2014 version I would, but sadly have now designed too many brochures and products with it.

Please sort it out!

H
HollyRF
Participating Frequently
October 24, 2014

I feel your pain, franana. Are you also working on a server? Is it Windows based?

F
Fran Gregory
Participating Frequently
October 24, 2014

Yes I am HollyRF, working from a MAC on a Windows server. This never happened before so it's clearly something they've changed in the latest version?

I spoke with Adobe on live chat today and they simply told me to stop using the server and save all 12000 images on my local computer instead. This is not business friendly, and not what you pay a monthly fee for!

Hopefully somebody up in Adobe HQ is listening to us.

H
HollyRF
Participating Frequently
October 16, 2014

Still working on figuring this out. But here is a summary of all the issues I am having:

1. When I try to open an Indesign file I SOMETIMES get the following message and cannot open it. (I have correct permissions and the file is not open or locked)

Cannot open the document “filename”. You may not have permission or the document may be open already. For multi-use access, close the file and then lock it using the File . Get Info command in the Finder.

2. When I try to package in InDesign I get the following message: (despite all images definitely being linked)

ERROR: InDesign could not package the document ‘filename’. Cannot copy necessary file(s)

3. When I try to make a PDF in Indesign I get a  box with this message:

1 problem (1 failure) was found with a background task

IN READ below says: “Export: ‘filename’ (1)

However, SOMETIMES it will make the PDF, but some or all images in the PDF are blank boxes. (without warning me)


5. IF I try to export a JPG, the file is blank, but I get no warning that images are not linked.

6. SOMETIMES when I try to drag an image onto an InDesign file I get this error message:

Cannot place this file. No filter found for requested operation

So far, we have used one file to make a bunch of tests, let's call it "filename." If I simply dragged the .indd file to the desktop, it does not help at all. If I drag the .indd and all it's links to the desktop, it will PDF and package just fine. If I take the Indesign file and all it's links and put it on the server in ONE folder (so basically the links aren't all over the place on the server, but in one spot), it will package and PDF just fine...

So, I'm still slightly clueless. My guess is it may be the server, but IT does not think that is the case. Could it be a combination of issues?

Peter Spier
Community Expert
Peter SpierCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 16, 2014

Working cross-platfrom with the server can be problematic, and it might be the network protocol you're using.

H
HollyRF
Participating Frequently
October 23, 2014

Our IT people are now saying they believe this is an issue with Adobe Creative Cloud 2014, not our server. But they also admit that working on a Windows server could be problematic. Is there any sort of known fix to help Windows play nice with Adobe on a Mac?

H
HollyRF
Participating Frequently
October 14, 2014

This is happening to me too, and it is driving me nuts. Can Adobe please fix this bug? I have never had an issue like this in previous versions (leading up to CS 6). It's not just slashing in file names, it's long names, etc. I cannot keep renaming everything in my image library! Please patch this.

Willi Adelberger
Community Expert
Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 14, 2014

Did you read my answer and I am convinced that this is the problem here. This not a bug it is working as it is supposed.

Your problem is a different one, and we should elaborate it, I think Peters guessing comes closer to your problem that to the first problem:

  1. Can you inform us on example.
  2. GIving us some information: OS, version, working on server, which kind of server?
H
HollyRF
Participating Frequently
October 16, 2014

After much troubleshooting, it appears that the server file names are too long for this new version of InDesign. If I move all my links down on the server, everything seems to work fine.

In one example my image link was named "facebook.eps." Clearly, no errors in the filename itself. BUT, since the full filename includes where it is on our server, it becomes: 

/Volumes/Groups/Shared/Marketing/Marcomm/YBP_Library_Services/GOBI3/2013/05.2013/Arabic Translated/GOBI 3/Links/facebook.eps

Does this make sense?

Again, this was NOT happening when I was using CS 5, only since I updated to CC a few weeks ago. So why is this suddenly a problem? And I know there are some weird characters in the path, but again, why did it work in CS 5 and now it won't? Renaming all these paths will take ages.


In addition to InDesign not letting me package files, it also won't let me create a PDF, export a JPG, etc. Sometimes the InDesign files won't even open. The biggest issue is that I am even having issues dragging my files to the desktop, so getting any work done is taking triple the time.


Thoughts?

sweet_billy
sweet_billy
Participant
October 8, 2014

i just had the same problem with CC 2014.

i have a file set up like a template of sorts – a basic layout with lots of image options off the page on the paste board that i can easily swap in and out.

i go to package everything together... and it packages no links at all?!

all file names are fine and no broken links in the links panel... after some head scratching and experimentation it turns out links will only be packaged if they are on a page. so as a simple work around i make another page in my document with every link on the page...

...and it works! all my links are packaged as i want them.

    Willi Adelberger
    Community Expert
    Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 8, 2014

    You should activate the option in the package dialog that also links from not visible layers and from the artboard are included. (I don't know the exactly wording, but it should say something like this.)

    R
    roenozCorrect answer
    Participating Frequently
    July 26, 2013

    Check your links from links panel, there might be images with "/" in the filename. eg. photo/image.jpg or any invalid characters.

      P
      printdesignusa
      Participant
      September 5, 2013

      I have checked my links filenames I have nothing out of the ordinary I do use "underscore" in the filename but I don't think that would be an invaild character do you have any other suggestions.

      Peter Spier
      Community Expert
      Peter SpierCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 5, 2013

      Can also happen if the folder names have invalid characters, or even is some cases if the complete path name is too long.

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