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Importing Adobe Illustrator graphics
How
you import Illustrator graphics depends on how much editing the
graphics require after you import them. You can import Illustrator
graphics into InDesign in their native (.ai) format.
If you want to adjust layer visibility in InDesign...Import
the graphic using the Place command, and when you want to edit it, choose
Edit > Edit Original to open the graphic in Illustrator.
For example, for a multilanguage publication, you can create a single
illustration that includes one text layer for each language. You
can transform the illustration as a single object in InDesign but
you cannot edit the paths, objects, or text within the illustration.
 Layered file with Spanish and English layers
If you want to edit objects and paths in InDesign...Copy
the art from Illustrator and paste it into your InDesign document.
For example, in a magazine, you might use the same design element
in each issue, but change its color every month. By pasting a graphic
into InDesign, you can change objects’ color, path, and transparency
using the InDesign tools designed for that purpose.
Importing Illustrator graphics with multiple artboardsIllustrator
CS4 graphics can include multiple artboards. When you import an
Illustrator graphic with multiple artboards, you can use Import
Options to specify which artboard, or “page,” will be imported.
Create a layered PDF in Adobe IllustratorYou can save an Illustrator graphic as a layered
PDF and control the visibility of layers in InDesign. Adjusting
layer visibility in InDesign lets you vary an illustration depending
on context. Rather than create multiple versions of the same illustration,
say for a multilanguage publication, you can place the same illustration
where needed and adjust the visibility of the layers as appropriate.
You can transform a PDF as a single object (you can rotate or
resize it, for example), but you cannot edit the paths, objects,
or text within the illustration.
If you’re placing an Illustrator file that includes multiple
artboards, you can specify which artboard is used, as when placing
multipage PDF files.
Note: Don’t place layers in nested layer sets if you
want to adjust layers in InDesign.
In Illustrator, choose File > Save As.
In the Save As dialog box, type a filename and choose a location
for the file.
For Format, choose Adobe PDF (.pdf), and click Save.
In the Adobe PDF Options dialog box, choose Acrobat 6 (1.5)
or later for Compatibility.
Select Create Acrobat Layers From Top-Level Layers, and click
Save PDF.
Pasting Illustrator graphics into InDesignWhen
you paste a graphic from Illustrator 8.0 or later into
an InDesign document, the artwork appears in InDesign as a grouped
collection of editable objects. For example, if you paste an Illustrator
drawing of a soccer ball with individually created patches into
InDesign, the patches are pasted as a group, which can be ungrouped
and edited using tools in InDesign. You cannot change the visibility of
layers within the illustration.
 Illustration of soccer ball in Illustrator (left) and same
illustration pasted into InDesign (right) Important: Before pasting a graphic, make sure that
Illustrator is configured to copy as AICB (see Illustrator Help).
In InDesign, make sure that Prefer PDF When Pasting isn’t selected
in the Clipboard Handling preferences. If these options aren’t set properly,
the Illustrator graphic cannot be edited in InDesign.
Issues you may encounter when pasting or dragging art from Illustrator to InDesign- Color
- Illustrator supports the Grayscale, RGB, HSB, CMYK, and Web
Safe RGB color models. InDesign supports LAB, CMYK and RGB. When
you paste or drag artwork from Illustrator into InDesign, RGB and
CMYK colors convert in the expected color model. Grayscale colors
are converted to the appropriate K value in a CMYK color in InDesign.
HSB and Web Safe RGB objects are converted to RGB color in InDesign.
Colors in smooth shades and gradients can be edited in InDesign.
- Gradients
- Linear or radial gradients created in Illustrator can be
modified using the Gradient tool or Gradient panel in InDesign.
Gradients with multiple spot colors or complex patterns may appear
as non‑editable items in InDesign. If your illustration contains
complex gradients, import it using the Place command instead.
- Transparency
- Transparency is flattened when Illustrator art is pasted
or dragged into InDesign.
- Graphic styles
- Illustrator Graphic Styles don’t become InDesign Object Styles when
art is pasted or dragged into InDesign.
- Patterns
- Illustrator objects filled or stroked with patterns become
embedded EPS images when pasted or dragged into InDesign.
- Text
- If you drag text from Illustrator into InDesign, it’s converted
to outlines and isn’t editable with the Text tool. If you select
text using the Text tool in Illustrator, and then copy it into a
text frame in InDesign, the text loses its formatting but is editable.
If you drag the text into InDesign without a frame selected, the
text loses all formatting and isn’t editable.
When
you paste text from Illustrator, the text is imported as one or
more objects that can be transformed and colorized in InDesign,
but not edited. For example, if you create text on a path in Illustrator
and paste it into InDesign, the text can be colorized, rotated,
and scaled, but it cannot be edited using the Type tool. If you
want to edit the text, use the Type tool and paste it into a text
frame.
- Artwork
- Artwork copied from Illustrator and pasted into InDesign
is embedded in the InDesign document. No link to the original Illustrator
file is created.
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