10 Replies Latest reply: Apr 7, 2011 9:15 AM by trshaner RSS

    Copy/Paste graphic w/drop shadow to indesign - loses transparency

    Chris Slowik Community Member

      InDesignScreenSnapz002.jpg

      See above image.. I made a vector version of our company logo in illustrator (all programs referenced are cs5 btw) and it looks great, but when I copy and paste from Illustrator to InDesign, it loses the transparency around the logo. If I place the logo instead, it works fine. The trouble is there are about 16 variations of the logo, and its MUCH easier to copy/paste from one aggregate file instead of having many different logo files to place.

       

      Background on how the logo was created: The inner circle area is multiple different gradient layers (some with transparency masks as well). The white line around the outside is an expanded stroke, and it had a drop shadow effect applied (Stylize menu), which I expanded so it would scale properly when scaling the logo up and down. Here is a link to download the logo: download logo

       

      Q: Is there any way to make InDesign preserve the transparency when I copy and paste?

       

      Would be eternally grateful if someone has a solution that allows me to copy/paste!

        • 1. Re: Copy/Paste graphic w/drop shadow to indesign - loses transparency
          BobLevine CommunityMVP

          You should put each version on its own layer in Illustrator and place the AI file. Choose show options, crop to bounding box and select the appropriate layer.

           

          You're not going to have success copy/pasting with drop shadows which would be best applied in ID anyway.

           

          Bob

          • 2. Re: Copy/Paste graphic w/drop shadow to indesign - loses transparency
            Chris Slowik Community Member

            Hm, yea I was trying to avoid the extra step since we use these logos quite a bit. That's why the drop shadow was applied in illustrator in the first place.

             

            Before vectorizing these logos, we had been using PSDs, which are just monstrous files, and don't scale as nicely obviously. So, we've been placing the logos anyway when using full color. I think the irritation just came in because when using vector logos, I'm used to just copying and pasting since our 1 and 2 color versions dont have drop shadow. I'm being demanding, I know =]

             

            I hadn't thought about using the layers, that could be a nice workaround if there really is no other way.

            • 3. Re: Copy/Paste graphic w/drop shadow to indesign - loses transparency
              trshaner Community Member

              Your link is to a monochrome PDF file, which I opened in Illustartor CS4, copy and pasted into InDesign CS4 without the transparency loss you describe. Suggest posting one of the actual vector logo files in the format you are using for copy and paste from Illustrator.

               

              AIPDF.jpg

              • 4. Re: Copy/Paste graphic w/drop shadow to indesign - loses transparency
                Chris Slowik Community Member

                OOPS - Uploaded the wrong file by mistake!

                 

                Fixed it.. the uploaded file is correct now, same filename, in case you're still curious =]

                • 5. Re: Copy/Paste graphic w/drop shadow to indesign - loses transparency
                  BobLevine CommunityMVP

                  Create an object style for the logo.

                   

                  Bob

                  • 6. Re: Copy/Paste graphic w/drop shadow to indesign - loses transparency
                    trshaner Community Member

                    I agree with Bob's suggestion to use separate "layer groups" in your logo file for different styles. I also use separate layers inside InDesign to "multi-purpose" company documents with different backgrounds, graphics, and content. But that's the only way I use layers inside InDesign – Not for general placement of image files! I also disagree with ability to copy and paste graphics from Illustrator with drop shadow. Here's an .ai logo which I quickly added Drop Shadow to in Illustrator CS4, and then a Copy and Paste into InDesign CS4 document. Best workflow practice is to 'Place' image files as Bob suggests, linking them from a separate file folder.

                     

                    For something "quick and dirty" I see no problem with Copy and Paste, but your success may vary based on OS, and CS versions you are using!  Sometimes it is wiser to take a few shortcuts to hit rather than miss that deadline!

                    ITOX.jpg

                    • 7. Re: Copy/Paste graphic w/drop shadow to indesign - loses transparency
                      Chris Slowik Community Member

                      I think the difference between your successful attempt and my inability to copy/paste the drop shadow is the fact that my shadow is no longer an Appearance effect.. I expanded it in Illustrator so the logo could be scaled up and down within Illustrator without having to adjust the Drop Shadow options.

                       

                      I think the issue here is that InDesign doesn't do transparency in gradients, so when I copy/paste a gradient over a transparent background, it flattens it to a color->white gradient. It would be really nice to see transparency in gradients added in future versions! I know I was really excited when Illustrator added that feature.. but it's a little annoying that they didn't add the same functionality to InDesign. Although, it hasn't affected me till now.

                       

                      I am currently in the process of separating all these logos to different layers. That should work just fine, especially after remembering that to do full color, we have been placing logos anyway (PSD files). So the only extra step in our process is selecting the appropriate layer for which logo we want to place (which we kinda did anyway with the PSDs, picking the appropriate file to place)

                       

                      Thanks for all your input on this guys!

                      • 8. Re: Copy/Paste graphic w/drop shadow to indesign - loses transparency
                        P Spier CommunityMVP

                        Is it time for my drop shadow rant?

                         

                        Drop shadows are used to tell your reader how far above the page an item is hovering, and are in no way related to how wide the object might be. Move it further from the page, the shadow should get bigger (and possibly softer), closer and it shoudl get smaller. Scale the object and the shadow should remain the same size. This is the strongest argument for applying the shadows in ID as an object style.

                        • 9. Re: Copy/Paste graphic w/drop shadow to indesign - loses transparency
                          Chris Slowik Community Member

                          Yea, the only reason I haven't removed the shadow from the Illustrator file is because it would add another step to the import, and another place for someone to make a mistake. There are many people using this file, and we also send our logo files to outside vendors sometimes for use in publications. Removing the shadow from the logo file would mean having to send instructions on exactly how to recreate the shadow in InDesign (if they use indesign) and relying on them to do it correctly. The scale of the shadow relative to the logo size never changes.

                           

                          I'd rather not have to introduce chances for the logo to get messed up. I know I shouldn't have to worry about that in a perfect world, but we've dealt with people even stretching the logo in the past and making it an oval.. so I'd rather keep it as simple as possible. Placing it will be fine.

                          • 10. Re: Copy/Paste graphic w/drop shadow to indesign - loses transparency
                            trshaner Community Member

                            Agreed 110% even though I only apply drop shadows within the target document, but it can be done sometimes with success in a pinch!

                             

                            Here's one example of how I use layers to create common signage for multiple products. It alows me to add new products, change logos, backgrounds and other graphics. I'm sure you will see how this can be used to apply "multiple" company logos and document types, all within one (1) InDesign file using layers.

                             

                            IDLayers.jpg