Linked INDD file issue.

[trobinson]

I have a 12 x 12 multi page document, with multiple layers that get turned off and on depending on use. I produce multiple files every year that need to get sized down to 7 x 7. I am linking my original 12 x 12 INDD document to a template I built so the resize can be done by just relinking the file.

It seems to be a little wonky when pulling in the files. I have import options turned off when I relink and it seems to pick and choose which layers it shows even if I have them turned off in the parent file.

Is there anyway to get this to behave consistently?

[Randy Hagan]

I'd suggest you plug in an interim step of creating a PDF file, rather than placing an InDesign document inside another .INDD file.

Since PDFs can be created (and placed) with layers, you should be able to get the results you're looking for. And since PDF files are intrinsic – they contain all the elements built into the file, including font information and placed objects – you should get more consistent results too.

Hope this helps,

Randy

[trobinson]

Thanks Randy.

I have thought about adding that interim step that you stated above, however, that won't help when we have to make changes to the parent file. I was really hoping to nail down the inconsistent importing vs. creating another step. When we make changes to the parent file the changes are made automatically when we open the scaled version which is very helpful for our timelines.

I realize making and replacing one PDF is a simple step, but across hundreds and hundreds of files, it is quite time consuming.

Thanks again.

[davidblatner]

I love placing INDD files into INDD files. This normally works very well.

However, is it possible that you are adding or removing layers in the InDesign file? When you change the layers in any way, InDesign will definitely get confused.

Another option is to check your preferences… Mike R. wrote about an obscure but helpful preference setting here:

https://indesignsecrets.com/a-fix-for-problems-with-layer-visibility-overrides-in-placed-illustrator...

[trobinson]

Thanks David.

The layers are the same and don't change. The only change I see is the layers being hidden. I have had a scaled version of the file show these hidden layers even though they are turned off in the parent file and the import options dialog window. I have even had this linking work perfectly but the next time we open the file it's pulling in the hidden layers. The only solution I have found that works is to delete the layers that are hidden. Then the parent file updates correctly in the scaled.

[davidblatner · Accepted solution]

Hm… wow, I just tested this and you're absolutely right. This is very broken! When I change layer visibility in the child document (the file that is being placed into the parent), it does not update properly. That is bad.

The workaround is to not change layer visibility inside the child document. Instead, select the graphic (the placed INDD file) in the parent document and choose Object > Object Layer Options.

Unfortunately, you would have to do this one page at a time. There is a script that can help, though, letting you turn on and off sets of layers across all the placed pages at the same time:

ShowHideLayers Discussion on InDesignSecrets

[trobinson]

Thanks David. I'll take a look at the scripting option. We do 200+ of these parent/child files a year and this is our first year using the INDD file linking. It has some hiccups but is still a HUGE time saver with our process considering we used to size down documents manually and page by page.

Thanks again for your help.

[Randy Hagan]

trobinson, I understand what you're saying.

But you're clearly having issues with manipulating a source InDesign file, then placing the end result into another InDesign document. By default, you're going to have issues when you pull an InDesign document into another one and expect layer visibility to go the way you want. As you're discovering, "hiding" some of them and placing them in another InDesign document doesn't work the way you expect.

I'm an end user just like you. I don't have the position or the ability to re-program InDesign to fit the bill here. All I can offer is ways to get around your problem. I'm no Rhodes Scholar – I don't even play one on TV – but I see only two ways for you to get past your issue:

1) Create the relevant PDF file, which will be built with the visible layers you select from your source InDesign document, and place that PDF in your output InDesign document. or ...

2) Create a second InDesign file, delete the extraneous layers for your purpose, save it with only the relevant layers and then place the modified and simplified InDesign file in your output InDesign document.

There may be other ways to fix this, but I don't know them. I'm just trying to help with what I can offer for you. I'm confident that either of these options above will work for you. And yes, either step will take a little extra time. But either should work well and get you the end result you're looking for.

It's all I can offer.

Good luck,

Randy

[davidblatner]

Randy, I'm afraid I'm going to respectfully disagree here. Placing INDD files into other INDD files and then hiding/showing layers (with Object > Object Layer Options) is a feature that InDesign has had for many years and it works as well as if you placed a layered PDF file. In fact, it treats the INDD file much like it were a PDF.

Have you tried this and actually had specific problems with it in the past? Why do you say "you're going to have issues"?