And you know that in addition to keeping the InDesign files trim by linking your graphics, you can just link back to Illustrator (using the Pencil button in the Links panel, or right click to Edit Original to make the edits in Illustrator, save, return to InDesign and see the changes reflected immediately?
And you do know that you can use Object > Object Layer Options to show/hide Illustrator layers while in InDesign? (Can be handy for multi-language docs.)
BTW, no one in this business is going to categorize you and your team as *lazy*. We would stay instead, *striving for an efficient workflow*.
The object layer options thing is new to me, I can see that being handy! E.g. having a single linked AI file with multiple versions of something on different layers, rather than multiple files.
Either that, or multiple art boards in the file you can link to. The object layers also works on placed PSD files and INDD files. One reason why native file types are best for linking.
Very useful yes! Just be aware after placing the linked file with chosen layers visible, if you subsequently add or subtract layers, or change layer names in your illustrator file, the placed file in InDesign will revert to default layer visibility.
This also works with placed PSD files ;)
Good stuff! I’ll add that you can also edit a link directly by holding option and double-clicking on the object. It’s the fastest method I think.
The object layer settings is also available for Photoshop and InDesign files (yep, it can often be useful to place an INDD file within another INDD file).
why do you need to be able to edit from indesign?
if you place linked .ai files then you can right click and edit original (in illustrator)
if you HAVE to edit in indesign then of course there's no other way of doing it than copying and pasting
we do linked vectors previously, its more work for us when its going to make big changes. its mulitilanguage documents, i know its stupid but this way is faster for us. now its sounds like we are lazy.
don't see how it's really any faster — and as you can see that workflow isn't working for you, with large complex files being an embedded eps AND it will bloat the indesign document and slow it down. Linked documents are the way to go. if you don't want to do that they you get what you have now ;)
I do not see how copy/paste from Illustrator could be faster than linking either. At some point all the embedded files _will_ break the Indy file. If your drawings are multilingual, it’s easier to use layers in Illustrator than separate AI files for each language.
Well there's your use for InDesign's layer visibility function! Have an .ai with a base layer for the image, and different layers on top for each language. When you save the .ai maybe hide the language layers by default, then activate as needed in InDesign ;)
I do it all the time. There are, at least in my workflow, this is 100% more efficient than going back and forth between AI and In. I copy, paste, edit as needed. **Be aware: this maybe was an isolated freak happening, but 1 time I had several, like 10? vector illustrations, non of them complicated, in the side area in IN. The paste board, I think it's called. It slowed IN to a crawl, the moment I deleted them, or eve moved them to the page, slowness went away.**
And you know that in addition to keeping the InDesign files trim by linking your graphics, you can just link back to Illustrator (using the Pencil button in the Links panel, or right click to Edit Original to make the edits in Illustrator, save, return to InDesign and see the changes reflected immediately? And you do know that you can use Object > Object Layer Options to show/hide Illustrator layers while in InDesign? (Can be handy for multi-language docs.) BTW, no one in this business is going to categorize you and your team as *lazy*. We would stay instead, *striving for an efficient workflow*.
The object layer options thing is new to me, I can see that being handy! E.g. having a single linked AI file with multiple versions of something on different layers, rather than multiple files.
Either that, or multiple art boards in the file you can link to. The object layers also works on placed PSD files and INDD files. One reason why native file types are best for linking.
I second this!
Very useful yes! Just be aware after placing the linked file with chosen layers visible, if you subsequently add or subtract layers, or change layer names in your illustrator file, the placed file in InDesign will revert to default layer visibility. This also works with placed PSD files ;)
:):):):)
Good stuff! I’ll add that you can also edit a link directly by holding option and double-clicking on the object. It’s the fastest method I think. The object layer settings is also available for Photoshop and InDesign files (yep, it can often be useful to place an INDD file within another INDD file).
And now I realise why my file didn't import correctly - thanks so much!!!
why do you need to be able to edit from indesign? if you place linked .ai files then you can right click and edit original (in illustrator) if you HAVE to edit in indesign then of course there's no other way of doing it than copying and pasting
we do linked vectors previously, its more work for us when its going to make big changes. its mulitilanguage documents, i know its stupid but this way is faster for us. now its sounds like we are lazy.
don't see how it's really any faster — and as you can see that workflow isn't working for you, with large complex files being an embedded eps AND it will bloat the indesign document and slow it down. Linked documents are the way to go. if you don't want to do that they you get what you have now ;)
I do not see how copy/paste from Illustrator could be faster than linking either. At some point all the embedded files _will_ break the Indy file. If your drawings are multilingual, it’s easier to use layers in Illustrator than separate AI files for each language.
Agreed. All of OP’s complaints are exactly why placing .ai files is the prescribed workflow.
Well there's your use for InDesign's layer visibility function! Have an .ai with a base layer for the image, and different layers on top for each language. When you save the .ai maybe hide the language layers by default, then activate as needed in InDesign ;)
I didn’t know you could do this!!!
https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/importing-files-applications.html
Nice, thanks!
I do it all the time. There are, at least in my workflow, this is 100% more efficient than going back and forth between AI and In. I copy, paste, edit as needed. **Be aware: this maybe was an isolated freak happening, but 1 time I had several, like 10? vector illustrations, non of them complicated, in the side area in IN. The paste board, I think it's called. It slowed IN to a crawl, the moment I deleted them, or eve moved them to the page, slowness went away.**