transparent background issues InDesign

[Yomaha66]

I'm a total rookie, just to get that out of the way.

I am trying to bring in vector files that have transparent backgrounds, but they show up with the white and grey blocks and I cannot get rid of them. 

I got these from Adobe Stock.  Their description says Vector file type isolated on transparent background with .AI extension. I've attached the file here. When I try to place it in InDesign I check the show import settings and it gives me the EPS Import Options to:

Read Embedded OPI Image L inks

Apply Potoshop Clipping Path

Use TIFF Preview

Rasterize the Postscript

I have the display setting on High Quality.

Any advice on this much apprecaited!

[Michael Bullo]

I opened up your AI file in Illustrator and found that it contains multiple background elements on Layer 1, including a fake background transparency grid.

Turning off the visibility of Layer 1 creates a new problem as numerous elements within this file contain various blending modes.

I don't know how familiar you are with Illustrator but you might want to poke around in the AI file. I thought I would keep this brief but I'm happy to answer any follow up questions.

[Yomaha66]

Thank you both!  Once opened in AI I see those layers.  I saved as .ai file and on placememnt I was able to remove the uneeded layers.  Then I turned my Edit>Transparency Blend Space to RGB and its looking good!   

[Michael Bullo]

Great to hear and thank you. Happy designing.

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse · Accepted solution]

I also looked at this file and, despite what the file name says, it's actually an Illustrator EPS file, not an .ai file. This is what is causing your issue when placing. Open the file in Illustrator and resave it as an .ai file before you do anything else. and, as Michael has already shown, the checkerboard is a layer added behind the objects. You can delete this.

The objects that now look like black balls are gradation objects that are built using the Screen Transparency effect, which was a way to create glow effects in older (EPS) files. These will work properly, but there has to be something behind it; whether it be a colour or white or an image... It just can't be nothing.

Another caveat: Since the illustration is an RGB file, you will have to change your Transparency Blend Space in InDesign to RGB, otherwise those gradations will still render incorrectly.

There are ways to edit the file to eliminate these, but it's a bit of an explanation.