Step and Repeat is creating a 10GB InDesign File.

[anthonys57530656]

I am experiencing a very disturbing problem when creating InDesign documents.  I have a single linked photoshop file, repeated 35 times in an 8.5x11 document. These are small stickers/labels done in a step and repeat style. InDesign appears to be embedding the link and multiplying the file size for every instance. I'm ending up with an unusable 10.88GB InDesign file.

Please see the attached screen captures and points below for further details.

• Performance is dismal when opening and saving. 5+ minutes to save and close.
   
• The document is unusable as I get a message about not being able to undo literally every second. I click OK, and immediately the message comes up again. Again, see screenshot.
   
• Note the extremely high memory usage for InDesign when working with this document, nearly 30 gigs, see screenshot.

• This behavior has also been replicated on a PC running Windows 11, and with separate art work files. In one instance the InDesign file went up to 30GB.

• I've tried "Save As" and I've tried deleting preferences.

• The size of the linked photoshop file is very reasonable - 400 MB.

• I've triple checked, the links are not embedded in the document.

• MORE IMPORTANTLY: For the time being I've figured out a workaround (save the linked file as a low-res JPG, I end up with a 5MB file), but this is not a permanent solution. I have been using InDesign since 2004, I have never seen this behavior before in any configuration. I have step and repeated much larger/intensive graphics without issue.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[rob day]

InDesign appears to be embedding the link...I've triple checked, the links are not embedded in the document.

Hi @anthonys57530656 , how are you checking? When you check the Link panel is the link’s Status listed as  OK? The Status is cropped out in your capture.

[rob day]

The size of the linked photoshop file is very reasonable - 400 MB.

Also, the pixel dimension of your .psd is only 1500 x 1500. Normally a single layer .psd with those dimensions would only be a few megabytes. Is the large file size coming from a multiple layers and channels, or some kind of  metadata? Can you share the .psd via a file sharing service or your CC account?

[anthonys57530656]

Hi Rob, thanks for taking the time to look at this issue. I can verify that the files are linked because they do not show the embedded icon in the links panel, and they all have external paths. Every instance is a sub instance under one main link. I've also tried toggling embed and un-embed, with the same results.

- I've tried downgrading to the earliest versions of ID and PS available in Creative Cloud, the behavior is the same. Again, also tried this on Windows 11 with the same results.

- The photoshop file in question has several obnoxious adjustments layers (they were done by a large movie studio), so I tried simplifying and merging layers. Even with the simplified PSD, the behavior is the same.

-Regardless, over the years I've worked with much more complex and large photoshop files in InDesign, with many layers, large pixel dimensions, etc. and I haven't seen this behavior. It's a non-starter to expect to flatten and simplify every photoshop file I place in InDesign, otherwise why bother using InDesign? It's main feature IMO is the external linking of psd's and the ability to use "Edit Original" on a psd and have it update throughout the document(s).

- The link below contains 2 PSDs, the original and a simplified version, both exhibiting the same behavior:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-0rewVRKPg2yqa3RSxTj-t4u8jZUZu4A?usp=sharing

- Open a new 8.5x11, place the linked graphic, duplicate several times over. As you duplicate, the performance begins to slow and the issues begin.

I can understand and have seen a 1-3GB InDesign file with lots of placed graphics and content, but for a single linked graphic to account for a 10+ GB InDesign file is unacceptable. Photoshop wouldn't even do this.

Thanks again!

[rob day · Accepted solution]

It’s from a known Photoshop bug where ancestor metadata gets saved with the file and brought into Indesign. It can be fixed via scripting—here’s your file size after running the script:

I’ve put your cleaned file here along with the InDesign script:

https://shared-assets.adobe.com/link/045ad7cd-23d7-431b-5f88-eba82a73e11e

More info on the bug here:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/is-there-a-script-to-clear-indesign-metadata-red...

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/inflated-jpg-file-size-photoshop-docu...

[anthonys57530656]

Greatly appreciated, a million thanks!!!