Same image displays differently when copying from one file to another in InDesign

[generalinternet]

Hey all,

I have two InDesign files. The first file displays and exports to a PDF perfectly, and when i went to start a new file, the image i copied and pasted from the orginal file is displaying as washed out and faded. My tranparency blend space is set to RGB in both and the colour settings on both files appear to be identical. The output setting I use to export a PDF were also identical yet the colour discrepancy showed in the PDFs. 

Are there settings somewhere else other than 'colour settings' and 'transparency blend space' that I am not aware of?

Please help me understand this.

[Peter Spier]

We really need to see all of those settings....

[generalinternet]

Sure thing - which ones shall i screen grab?

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Copy and paste has its limitations. You should be working with a discrete image file that is Placed in each document.

[Peter Spier]

@James Gifford—NitroPress Copying a linked image copies the link. There's no reason not to do that.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

True, but it's vague as to how the original image was placed. I note that question's been asked.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@generalinternet

What if you create your "new file" by copying the original, change number of pages if needed, and then copy your image?

If there will be no change - then your previous files are not identical. 

Or, one of your initial files is corrupted - try IDMLing on both of them - export as IDML, open, save with a new name - do not overwrite your original file. 

[generalinternet]

Yes, this is exaclty how i worked around the issue - and the image and colours are still looking proper 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@generalinternet

Also, can you add a new, blank page - WITHOUT anything on it and with no parent page applied - does it happen?

Maybe, on the destination page - you have something with transparency effect - or you have in the source document - but you don't have in the destination document. 

[generalinternet]

created a new blank page in the file that is messed up, with no parent and pasted the image into that page and it's still lfaded. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

It mostly likely is in your color settings and profile handling. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

What are your PDF export settings?

Also, is the original image linked before you copied it, or was it pasted into InDesign?

[generalinternet]

PDF export settings for proofs are usually PDF/X-4:2008, but the same thing was happening with 'High Quality Print"

The image is linked. 

[Peter Spier]

Are there settings somewhere else other than 'colour settings' and 'transparency blend space' that I am not aware of?

Please help me understand this.

By @generalinternet

The color profiles assigned to any particular doeument might be different from the ones listed in the color settings dialog. There are two dialogs that can affecrt this: Edit > Assign Profiles... which will leave your color numbers unchanged and interpret them as being in the assigned profile, and Edit> Convert to Profile... which will change the numbers to get the closest appearance match in the new profile.

[generalinternet]

Checked both of these in both files and they are also identical 

[Scott Falkner]

Do both files use the same Transparency Blend Space (Edit menu)? Is the image RGB or CMYK?

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

According to the original post, the space is the same:

"My tranparency blend space is set to RGB in both ..."

[generalinternet]

yes, both RGB. This was the first thing i checked., 

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

The second grab looks very much like it has been converted to CMYK somewhere along the line.

Waht does the Link panel say about the pasted image in the second document (re: Color space, etc).

Does it do the same thing if you Place the image again (i.e. NOT copy and paste it?)

What are your Color Management Policies? re: Preserve/Convert, etc.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Exactly. Assuming the info the OP posted was accurate, it could have happened during export to PDF. (Which is why I asked for the PDF settings...)

[Peter Spier]

But he says the output settings are the same and that the discrepancy shows up in the .indd as well, which makes it more likely the problem is in the document.

But all of this goes to the point that there are too many variables at play here to make an intelligent diagnosis without seeing all of the various settings for both files.

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

yes, but if their Color Management policies were to Convert (without warnings), the mere act of pasting may have silently changed the pasted image (which is why I was asking what the Links panels says about the pasted image).

Again, one of those situations where we need to see more! 😉

[Peter Spier]

Totally agree.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

SOMETHING is different. Over the years, I've found (as I'm sure you have too) that unless I see it with my own eyes, I take everything with a grain of salt. 

[Peter Spier]

At this point I think we just need to wait for the OP to come back with more information.