How do you collaborate and share vector art files between Illustrator and InDesign?
If you work with vector graphics, you probably use Adobe Illustrator and InDesign for different purposes. Illustrator is great for creating and editing scalable images, while InDesign is ideal for laying out and publishing documents. But how do you transfer your vector art from one program to another without losing quality or control? In this article, we'll show you three methods to export vector art from Illustrator to InDesign, depending on your needs and preferences.
The simplest way to export vector art from Illustrator to InDesign is to copy and paste it directly, preserving the vector quality and allowing you to edit the art in InDesign. However, this method increases the file size and can cause compatibility issues if different versions of the programs are used. To copy and paste vector art from Illustrator to InDesign, first select the vector art you want to export in Illustrator and press Ctrl+C (Windows) or Command+V (Mac) to copy it. Then switch to InDesign and create a new document or open an existing one. Place your cursor where you want to insert the vector art and press Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac) to paste it. Finally, adjust the size and position of the vector art as needed.
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Matt C Stokes
Head of Creative at Arke
This method is not always suitable: at times, dependent on the size and complexity of the vector artwork, the ability to edit parts of the illustration will be lost. Furthermore some effects applied in Illustrator may be lost when the vector artwork is pasted into InDesign, changing the artwork's appearance.
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Karen Cohn
Art Director/Designer/Assistant Director of Marketing at ORT America
This used to be a good method but in the latest version of InDesign, the Illustrator file comes in as a complete object and cannot be edited.
Exporting vector art from Illustrator to InDesign can be done by placing it as a link. This method reduces the file size and keeps the original source file intact, though it does not allow editing in InDesign. To place vector art from Illustrator to InDesign as a link, save the vector art in Illustrator as an AI, EPS, or PDF file. Switch to InDesign and create a new document or open an existing one. Go to File > Place and browse to the location of the vector art file you saved, ensuring that the Link option is checked. Then drag and drop the vector art onto the document and adjust the size and position as needed. If you make any changes to the source file in Illustrator, go to Links panel in InDesign and click Update Link.
The third way to export vector art from Illustrator to InDesign is to embed it as an object. This method allows you to edit the vector art in both programs and creates a copy of the source file in the InDesign document. However, this can result in a large file size, and changes must be made to both files if any alterations are made. To embed vector art from Illustrator to InDesign as an object, first save the vector art as an AI, EPS, or PDF file. Then switch to InDesign and create a new document or open an existing one. Go to File > Place and select the vector art file, unchecking the Link option before clicking Open. Drag and drop the vector art onto the document and adjust the size and position as needed. To edit the vector art in InDesign, double-click on it and use the tools in the Edit Original window. To edit it in Illustrator, right-click on it and choose Edit with > Adobe Illustrator.
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Matt C Stokes
Head of Creative at Arke
When reviewing this whole article, it appears that both Method 2 and 3 in this article appear to be the same i.e. File >Place ?
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