Placing Illustrator clipping paths into InDesign

I agree with Nigel to draw the frame in InDesign and place the image directly into InDesign.

In addition, if the frame is an irregular shape, draw it in Illustrator, copy and paste it to InDesign, and then place it.

~ Jane

Looking at the screenshot you provided, I'm wondering why you need Illustrator at all. Just place the jpg directly in InDesign in an elliptical frame. Either draw the frame first, or choose Object>Convert Shape>Ellipse to convert a rectangular frame. 

Jules said:
…I've tried placing the AI file but this loses the link. (Just shows an AI file rather than a Jpeg in the links folder). If I relink the image it loses the clipping path.

Hi Jules,

if you are placing an AI file you in fact are placing that part of an AI file that is purely PDF.

That explains why you'll never see a linked image inside the placed AI file in InDesign.

What to do?
Make sure that all image pixels are included in the file you save with or export from Adobe Illustrator.

Best save the AI file as PDF/X-4 with NO downsampling enabled. Place that PDF in your InDesign document.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( ACP )

Ah. That makes sense, Uwe. 

In Illustrator, one can select the content of the clipping path and embed the image using either the Control panel or the new Properties panel.

But understanding that you don't want to embed, here is the Illustrator artwork with the linked image, and it's coming into InDesign as expected.

I don't know why the link would break, assuming it is still correctly linked in Illustrator. Jules, you can check this with Window > Links in Illustrator. 

~Barb

Hi Barb,

my guess is:

Jules placed and linked a JPEG file in an Illustrator file.

That Illustrator file is placed in an InDesign document.

The Links panel of InDesign is not showing the placed JPEG file inside the placed Illustrator file.

( Hm. I'm guessing here… )

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

I'm confused. A clipping path is used to mask an area to create transparency. What link are you referring to?

~Barb

You should just be able to save it as an Illustrator file (.ai format) and place into InDesign.