Placing Illustrator clipping paths into InDesign

[julesm64172612]

I've made a clipping path for an image in Illustrator.

How do I then place the image (with the clipping path) in InDesign?

Eps isn't an option as I would like to keep the image link...

[nigelfrench]

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

[julesm64172612]

Thanks. 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.

[SJRiegel]

If your goal is a jpeg with a clipping path, the most straightforward way would be to create the path in Photoshop, and use Object > Clipping Path > Options in InDesign to apply the path.

[Barb Binder]

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

~Barb

[Laubender]

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 )

[Barb Binder]

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

[julesm81084060]

Thanks for the replies. To better explain: I have placed a photo in Illustrator and have drawn a clipping path around this to get the shape that I would like. This isn't an embedded image - I can see the link. I would like to place this image in InDesign with the clipping path still in tact. It may be that this is not possible!

[John Mensinger]

Copy the clipping shape you made in Illustrator (without the image nested in it) and paste it in InDesign. Place the JPEG in InDesign, then Edit > Cut it. Select the pasted Illustrator shape and choose Edit > Paste Into.

This will give you the desired end result, and rescue that poor raster image from a vector environment.

[Laubender]

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 )

[nigelfrench]

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. 

[jane-e]

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