how to export indesign layers to photoshop layers (same structure)

[#1]

how can I export all individual layers in indesign to a photoshop file with the same layer structure?

is there a script you can use?

thanks

[#2]

how can I export all individual layers in indesign to a photoshop file with the same layer structure?

is there a script you can use?

thanks

[#3]

You would need to have one layer on at a time in InDesign.

Then copy and paste the objects into photoshop.

They will be grouped as Smart Objects. As these can be resized in photoshop to virtually any size without distortion, Smart Objects will become raster on output, at the resolution you set the file to. So if you make a new document that's 72 dpi, then the smart objects will output at that res.

If you have text, you will need to to highlight the text in InDesign and copy and paste it into a text layer in Photoshop. It will lose formatting like bold, italics etc.

But you can copy and paste it into Photoshop - including text, but it becomes rasterised on output. So set the resolution high if you want text to be good.

You can export the File from InDesign to jpg or EPS too. Or Acrobat with layers in Compatibility 6 or above.

Why are wanting it in Photoshop? If we understood what you were doing we might have a better solution for you?

[#4]

well

some colleagues made their website designs in indesign

while it is easyer to make concepts fast in indesign, faster than in

photoshop

I found a script that makes a photoshop.eps of selected layers,

but that is not so easy,

or

is it possible to make a layered pdf and then open it with the same layer-

structure in photoshop?

Met vriendelijke groeten,

Arjan Scholten

[#5]

I have not been able to find a way to open a layered PDF in photoshop with layers in tact.

If you open an EPS in photoshop it rasterises everything, including type.

If it's just for wireframing a site, then you can use InDesign.

Here's a good read

http://indesignsecrets.com/indesign-for-interactive-design-wireframing.php

and some interesting links from the comments

A 1.5 hour video

http://vimeo.com/4068294

Some Templates

http://unify.eightshapes.com/wireframes/wireframes-preview/

[#6]

interesting stuff!

thnx

Met vriendelijke groeten,

Arjan Scholten

[#7]

What are you doing with the layered Photoshop files?

I think the more typical path from InDesign to Web would be to export for Dreamweaver in ID.

[#8]

in CS-3?

or in CS4?

we use the photoshop files to make a design, ready for a webbuilder/

programmer

Met vriendelijke groeten,

Arjan Scholten

[#9]

You can do it in either version. In CS3 it's under Cross-Media Export in the File Menu. In CS4 it's more obvious with a direct listing in the menu.

This is outside my normal workflow, but I can tell you that using this technique you get a folder full of images, the text, and a blank CSS style sheet, ready to manipulate in an authoring program -- you don't get a finished page. The key to success with this method is the religious use of styles for everything, including object styles which as I understand things generate div tags. I'm sure there's a lot more online and in the help.

Peter

[#10]

FYI

Commonly people wireframe sites in Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks etc. and hand it over to coders who will turn the wireframe into an active functional site.

Going the Dreamweaver route would require the user to be extra efficient with the design in InDesign and to understand how to code.

Handing off what InDesign spits out as a code from the average user, this for coders would be a nightmare for them to work with, they probably would just start coding it again and dump what you gave them.

I know some coders who don't even bother with Dreamweaver. They lay it out as they like it. Then they sit down and hand code the whole site.

[#11]

No question. I used to do HTML in Notepad back in the days when I did HTML.

I guess I'm not really sure what the layered PSD is doing that sending the text, images, and a PDF of the ID layout for reference wouldn't achieve. Just exploring the options is all...

[#12]

that will happen in case of a Content Management System driven website

Met vriendelijke groeten,

Arjan Scholten

[#13]

Well as I said .. it was "FYI". Not knocking the idea, just for other readers who don't know why this is done the way it is.

[#14]

I use ID because it's simply faster when it comes to setting type and page geometry. Photoshop's typesetting is still a relative nightmare—with the script I can start in ID and move to PS as needed.

[#15 · Accepted solution]

If you are on a Mac this Applescript will do it:

http://www.zenodesign.com/forum/PageToPSLayersV3.zip

The script exports PDFs of the ID layers and reassembles them in PS. In order to get the layers to register you need to include registration marks in the PDF preset you choose—the zip archive includes the preset I use. After running the script you can use canvas size to eliminate the crop marks.

[#16]

YES

great

thanks Rob

I was looking for this AppleScript!!

it works great

[#17]

You're welcome. I realized as I posted that there's no reason the canvas resizing can't happen in the script, so I've just updated it to include the canvas resize. Same address.

[#18]

Can it work on a PC?

[#19]

Rob specifically said it was for the Mac using AppleScript. He said it worked between applications (InDesign and Photoshop) which AppleScript can do.

[#20]

I know he said it was for Mac. What I meant was would it be hard to get it to work for the PC.

[#21]

This seems like much ado about nothing. So someone prototyped a website in InDesign, but you usually prototype in Photohop, so you want to convert their template to Photoshop, just so the final site builder can recreate it for the third time in HTML. Have you asked them if PDF or InDesing are acceptable formats?

[#22]

You might want more than a prototype. It would be reasonable to want the slices of the page that need to be as pixels in a well ordered and layered Photoshop file.

[#23]

Hi Rob,

Just wanting to say thanks a lot for the script. It helped me big time!!

If you have time, can you please answer these 2 questions:

1. Why is the colour different than if I export it to PDF and open it in Photoshop?

2. The registration thing behaves a little weird on my CS4. I must always choose 'High Quality Print', let the script produce a screwed up PSD, then re-run it once more with your preset. If I just continue using your preset for several times consecutively, the document size will be too wide or too tall. So I must use 'High Quality Print' in between pages. Sorry if it sounds confusing.

Thanks again!!

[#24]

Does the version you have resize the canvas in Photoshop to eliminate the crop marks from my PDF preset, or are the crop marks visible when the script finishes?

[#25]

i am actually trying to get the applescript code that will let me bring my pdf into Photoshop with the layer structure intact but the link doesn't work. Will you please repost it?

[#26]

http://www.zenodesign.com/forum/PagestoPSLayers.zip

[#27]

I'm currently discussing a better web design workflow with the programers I work with. Their preference is to receive PSD files to slice up, but without having a styles pallet in photoshop and a the ability to link files to the document simple client revisions become cumbersome and the size of the PSDs become enormous. I scoured all over the web and this script sound like the it could be the missing key to the puzzle. However, I'm running CS5 and I receive the error message

AppleScript Error!

Error Number -1719

Error String: Adobe Photoshop CS5 got an error:

Can't get document 1. invalid index.

Engine: Default

File: /applications/Adobe InDesign CS5/Scripts/Scripts Panel/Pages to PS Layers V2.scpt

I assume it's because this script was written for CS3, as it states in the readme. Are there any plans to update this for CS5? In the mean time I guess I'm going to see if I can scrounge up a earlier version of the adobe suite. Either that or hangout with the neglected child that is Fireworks.

[#28]

I've been running it out of CS5/10.6.4 successfully. What version of OSX are you running? It sounds like the file is never opening in Photoshop. Could you open the script in AppleScript Editor, run it, and then click the Replies button and copy out the error message?

[#29]

Thanks for the quick reply, I'm running 10.6.7. When I run the script it

looks like it's working at first. Two files are generated in the destination

folder before the error occurs and photoshop does open these files

automatically. One is named identical to the name of the document I'm

working on and the other is the same but has the prefix '11'.

I've copied the error message and put it in a .rtf for you. Thanks again for

your help.

Stephen

[#30]

I think the problem is with opening in 10.6.7. I'll try and post a fix later this afternoon

[#31]

Thanks so much, if you want me to test anything let me know, I'll be here all day.

Stephen

[#32]

See if this works.

http://www.zenodesign.com/forum/PageToPSLayersCS5.zip

[#33]

It work's beautifully! Thanks so much for your help, you have no idea.

-S

[#34]

For anyone interested in this script, I made a few changes this morning that should make it run a bit better. I've updated the script and readme at the original address:

http://www.zenodesign.com/forum/PagestoPSLayers.zip

It no longer asks for a PDF preset—it uses PDF/X-4 for the export. The main reason for using a preset in the earlier version was to include crop marks for registration of the layers, but the new version solves that problem. PDF/X-4 also makes it easy to match color between ID and PS—just make sure Photoshp's color Working Spaces match the ID doc's profiles. I've tested the new version in both CS3 and CS5.

[#35]

Hello Rob

I don't have the PDF/X-4 export preset in Indesign 5.5
the script generates an error for that
can you post that preset?
thanks in advance

Arjan

[#36]

I'm not running 5.5 yet, but it looks like the PDF/X-4 preset has been renamed [PDF/X-4:2010] from [PDF/X-4:2008], so you should be able to open the script in ScriptEditor and find the line:

set myPDFPreset to "[PDF/X-4:2007]"

change it to

set myPDFPreset to "[PDF/X-4:2010]"

click Compile and save.

[#37]

Hey rob,

first of all: thank you very much for providing this script! Still, I got trouble with it and would really appreciate any help. I'm using InDesign CS5 and Photoshop CS5 on my Mac. I installed the script as told in the rtf. It shows up in InDesign. If I try to use it I get the dialogue to provide a folder for the files and pick resolutions, pages and color scheme. But then I get an error message. I try to translate it as good as possible, as I got the software in German. It says "Invalid value for parameter 'using' of the method 'export'. PDF export preset expected but nothing received.". I'm pretty sure this has to do with this line: "export document 1 format PDF type to thePath using PDF export preset myPDFPreset". myPDFPreset is set to [PDF/X-4:2007]. I tried editing this to [PDF/X-4:2008] as a 2007 preset isn't really available in my InDesign version but the same error occured.

Can you give me any advice?

Thank you very much in advance!

[#38]

I just double checked the last script I posted with CS5 (not CS5.5) and it worked, so I'm guesing it has something to do with your German version.

Try making making your own preset starting with the PDF/X-4 preset and use it in the script, so if your new preset is named myPDFpreset then change:

set myPDFPreset to "[PDF/X-4:2007]"

to:

set myPDFPreset to "myPDFpreset"

Click the AppleScript Editor's Compile button and resave the script.

[#39]

Thank you, it worked! Great script, really!

[#40]

You're welome, just remember if you move your version of the script to another InDesign you'll also need to copy or remake your preset.

[#41]

Hi Rob,

Thanks so much for making this script - I've been using it for a long time now and it's been extremely helpful and a great timesaver! I can't seem to get it to work now though, and I'm not sure how to fix it. I actually ran it last week still using the CS3 version script  - even though I'm using CS5 now - it worked great with no problems. But now I'm getting an error message when I try to run the script...I downloaded the new version you posted for CS5 and still no luck with getting it to work. I read through your directions to change the "[PDF/X-4:2007]" to "[PDF/X-4:2008]" (since this is the only PDF/X-4 preset option available to me in InDesign) and also tried creating a preset named "myPDFpreset" (starting the PDF/X-4 preset) and then compiled and resaved the file, but still can't seem to get it running again. I'm not sure if there's any issues with the way I have my file set up or the settings within InDesign, I'm not sure.

I've attached a sreenshot of the error message I'm getting. Please let me know if you can help! Thanks again

[#42]

Your error message isn't for a missing PDF preset. I'm wondering if something happened when you tried to edit the script. Could you download the script again (from post 32), run it and see if you get a different error message, and post that? My assumption that the PDF/X-4 preset is universally available seems to be causing problems, so I might post a version with a list of presets to choose from when I get some time.

[#43]

Thanks so much for this Rob, it's a work of genius! I'll be using this all the time now.

I'm fundamentally a print designer and also do lots of brand identity work. InDesign is always my tool of choice - fast, accurate, intuitive, I love it. Increasingly I get clients asking me to design website which are then built by others. The developers usually want a layered photoshop file (thet can just lift things out as they need them) and that usually means laboriously copying and pasting stuff layer by layer from InDesign to Photoshop. Now I won't have to. I think Adobe need to build this functionality into InDesign, it's a perfect crossover function.

Thanks again!

Ian

[#44]

You're welcome–happy to hear it's useful

[#45]

Wow, this worked like a magic! Thanks a million! I love doing webdesign in InDesign because  I can create multiple versions very quickly. But the coder get's it only fromPSDs. You made my life much easier

[#46]

Thank you ROB!

I just want to say that I'm totally new to Applescripts - this was first try at it. Your instructions in the read me file were super easy to follow, I ran the script and it worked.

This was SO helpful. I don't know how you did it, but your work is totally appreciated!!

[#47]

Hi there I tried your link but it did not work. I would like to extract layers from a pdf created by Indesign. Then use it on Photoshop

please help

thanks

Seanv

[#48]

It's an AppleScript so you have to be using OSX

http://www.zenodesign.com/forum/PageToPSLayersV6.zip

[#49]

Hi Rob,

Script seems to be broken as of the new CC update 2015.1 I'm running OSX 10.10.4  with ID and PS - 2015.1 11.1.0.122 Build

Fantastic script and use it on a regular basis, shame to see it not working, any fix?

Cheers,

Gary

[#50]

I haven't checked it in CC2015 yet. Try running from Script Editor and post the error message

[#51]

Thanks for the speedy response rob.

When I run the script and leave the default settings intact it gets as far as exporting the first layer in photoshop and then I just get a dialog box saying "Sorry there was a scripting error"

[#52]

Are both InDesign and Photoshop updated to the latest 2015? I have 2015 on a clone system and will check it later.

[#53]

Yes, ID running 2015.1 and Photoshop running 2015.0.1

[#54]

Just tested on CC2015 and on the first try I did get the scripting error. So I opened the script in Apple's Script Editor and ran it form there and it worked and now it's working from the ID scripting panel—not sure what's going on.

With both applications running, try running the script from Script Editor and uncheck Smart Objects. It's hard to trouble shoot because I'm not getting an error from the code, only the generic scripting error.

[#55]

Hi Rob, Just ran the script on another machine with the lastest version of Photoshop running 2015.0.1 and an older version of Indesign 2015.0 and it was successful.

Going to update indesign to lastest and see if I get the same error.

[#56]

Okay, updated to latest version and ran script again, no errors. So both machines are now running same versions one with errors and one without.

Maybe tomorrow, I'll reinstall CC and do another test, must be some preference setting.

Will post back results.

[#57]

The generic scripting error makes me think maybe Photoshop was not completely loaded. When I got the error I ran it without opening Photoshop first so the script was launching Photoshop.

[#58]

Thank you Rob Day for the great script. This was a wonderful addition to my day!

[#59]

Hi Rob. I found this thread searching for a way to export INDD layers to PSD. Are you still making this plugin available? The links on Zeno Design were no longer working. Thanks.

[#60]

‌Try the link in post #128

[#61]

Thanks so much for that. I really should have read to the end of the thread before I contacted you! Great script, thanks so much for your amazing work in creating it.

[#62]

Hi Rob, one I have one query ... although I know next to nothing about Applescript, I had a look at the script and changed the three instances of

antialias:true

to

antialias:false

to see if I could get different results although it looks as though the outcomes are the same. Do you know if there's anything else I could easily edit to get non anti-aliased elements in photoshop?

[#63]

‌iI'm traveling so I cant check. I thought I included an Anti-alias checkbox in the dialog, is it not working?

[#64]

No, the only options I see are:

- PDF preset

- Colour mode

- Page to export

- Resolution

- Layers are smart objects

[#65]

The line you would have to change is this one near the bottom of the script:

placeAction.putBoolean( cTID('AntA'), true);//anti alias true

Change it to:

placeAction.putBoolean( cTID('AntA'), false);//anti alias false

If you want to go either way, here's a new complied version with an Anti-alias checkbox . Haven't tested much, but it's a small change so it shouldn't cause problems.

http://www.zenodesign.com/forum/PageToPSLayersV7.zip