Placing vector files not respecting artboard constraints

[Juan Cano]

Hi; this is probably a user error. When placing vector files into InDesign, the placed image now ignores the bounds of the artboard, and the artwork expands to the edges. 

In the video you see how I had an icon inside a box. The extra room around the icon is the Illustrator artboard. I changed the color of the icon in Illustrator and when I place it, now the icon expands to fit the whole box. I also tried placing just the icon on the document and it also fills out to the edges ignoring the Illustrator artboard boundaries.

Is this a setting in my preferences that was reset when updating? I don't recall this ever happening. 

  

[BobLevine · Accepted solution]

Assuming this is an AI or PDF file, be sure you show options and crop it to the artwork.

[Juan Cano]

The icon is created in Illustrator and the issue happens when placing in InDesign. Traditionally when the vector file is placed, Indesign includes the AI artboard inside the box. Now it does not, it explands the icon to the edges to the box ignoring the AI artboard. 

[BobLevine]

You need to show the options when placing. That setting is sticky.

[Gord@APL]

Importing .ai (or .eps, for that matter) pays no attention to the artboard (edit: by default). I'm not sure of the same is true of .PDF, but the best way to be sure is to add a box to the Illustrator file, to the same size as the artboard. Doesn't have to have a fill or stroke, just has to be there. At that point, InDesign should recognise it as the perimeter of the image you're placing.

[BobLevine]

AI is PDF. No difference at all and InDesign most certainly honors the choice if the file is set up properly in Illustrator.

[Juan Cano]

I don't think this is right; InDesign has always kept the artboard constraints, I have hundreds of docs as proofs. OIn the video is an example that was created 3 weeks ago and today, now updated to the newest InDesign, it ignores the artboard. Is this a setting in my Preferences? I can't find it.

[Gord@APL]

@BobLevine , @Juan Cano 

That's odd... not the behaviour I've experienced, though I habitually save as .ai unless it's final output. I'm aware that one can adjust the options when placing files to take whichever available bounding boxes into account, but I've always just added a box to the artwork where I need to specify a margin around the artwork, for speed and simplicity.

[Juan Cano]

These are AI saved files. Not sure where the PDF confusion came about. The "01 - Artboard 1" is the AI file, and the other one is how it's now being placed. The issue being that if I have a series of icons that I have sized proportionally to match inside an artboard (so some might be slightly bigger but visually are of equal weight), but now when I place, they will visually not match in size. Or simpoly if I change the color of an icon and replace it, now I have to manually resize it. Frustrating as heck.

[BobLevine]

One more time. AI is PDF. When you place an AI file you are placing the PDF portion of that file.

So, you're placing them and the behavior/scaling is different? Are you using the same options that you used previously?

[BobLevine]

Hi Gord@APL 

Look at the OP's screenshot. Even though it's an AI file, it clearly says "Place PDF."

[Juan Cano]

Thanks but I can't go back to hundreds of icons and now add boxes. This has always worked the way I described. This is something with the new update or a change in the Preferences. Or a change from the Sdobe team.

[BobLevine]

Okay, let's back up a moment. Are you saying this is occurring in old files that you're opening now? If so, that's definitely a problem.

[Juan Cano]

This is happening on an old file that already had icons placed in it and saw the issue when replacing them after changing colors. It also happens on new documents.

[Juan Cano · Accepted solution]

OK; figured it out. It seems the "Import options" setting was reset to fit to the image vs the artboard like I've always had it.

I was able to change it once and now it seems to be working as usual. So a mix of me not remmebring this potion exists and the software update changing settings. Thanks!

[BobLevine]

Which is what I pointed out originally. That setting is sticky so it should be fine now.

[BobLevine]

Okay, have you experimented with "show options" to pick different cropping options? Have you checked the scaling on the old files to see if it matches the new?