Illustrator file only previews in Separation Preview mode.

[Scott Falkner]

I have an Illustrator CC 2018 file saved as .ai with PDF compatibility. It is just a rectangle with a pattern fill. The pattern uses simple shapes and a compound path filled with process black (which overprints) and a Pantone solid. When I place the file in InDesign CC 2018 the cursor previews the file, but only a blank image shows. InDesign will only preview the file when Separation Preview is on.

Odder still, whatever the image is behind does not show. So if I send the image to the back, everything is hidden. If I bring it to the front everything is visible, except the image. With Separation Preview on everything looks as it should.

I saved as IDML and deleted preferences. The problem is still occurring. This also happens when placing the Illustrator file in a new document. The file behaves normally when I expand the pattern.

Cross posting in Illustrator.

[Laubender · Accepted solution]

Hi Scott,

I think this is an old bug with InDesign.

The cause is the overprinting elements in the pattern.

You can try this workaround:
Add a white rectangle to the page or the spread that introduces transparency by defining a blend of 0% to its fill.

Hope, that helps…

Regards,
Uwe

[Scott Falkner]

Thanks. I have never heard of this, and there was nothing on Uservoice about it that I could see. Posted bug.

[Laubender]

Hi Scott,

did my workaround work for you?
Can you post the link to your posted bug report?

Regards,
Uwe

[Scott Falkner]

I didn't try it. I was trying to avoid transparency issues because I'm preparing a file for overseas printing and want to avoid complications. I expanded the pattern.