Publish Online and vector graphics

[Bigwig]

Why are vector graphics converted to bitmap when using Publish Online through InDesign?

[Steve Werner · Accepted solution]

Because you're creating HTML 5, CSS and JavaScript when you using Publish Online. It's the same as when you make an EPUB. The only web vector format I know of is SVG and InDesign (currently) doesn't support SVG.

[Bigwig]

Thanks for the reply, Steve. That is what I figured but I wanted to confirm. It seems odd that InDesign doesn't support SVG. Oh well, we can hope!

[Vector Ninja]

Thank you for your answer.

Do you know if it is in the dev pipeline for anytime soon ? 

That is really bad to see a vector logo being smashed down. I guess we'll have to turn it down to hi-res bitmap...

Have a nice day.

[Laubender]

Hi Vector Ninja,

you replied to a thread from December 2016.

Steve's answer was the correct one back then for the InDesign versions that were available at that time.

The good news:

InDesign 2020 and 2021 do support placing SVG files.

So if you want to see vector graphics in your Publish Online project place SVG files.

But do not use "live" font information there; convert text to outlines.

If you need a print-based workflow as well best store two versions of your InDesign document.

One for print with perhaps CMYK based vector graphics in PDF or AI format.

Another one with the SVG files placed where you always have something like sRGB as color in the vector graphics.

The bad news:

InDesign 2021 is still not able to convert placed PDFs, AIs, WMFs, EPSs vector graphics to SVG when exporting to Publish Online. It is also not able to convert its own native vector objects like graphic lines and graphic frames and so on to SVG when exporting to Publish Online.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )