3 Replies Latest reply: Oct 25, 2013 4:29 PM by Peter Spier

CS6 - Cloning image (from Illustrator) and automatically updating when changed

shawninvancouver Oct 24, 2013 3:55 PM

My title is likely inaccurate so hopefully my explanation will help you to understand my query.

I have created a box design in Illustrator and then dragged it into InDesign. From InDesign, I am making multiple copies of this box and then lengthening this box to various sizes, using the Direct Selection Tool in order to preserve shape. But now I am considering making a change to the box shape. I know the way I did this means that any change will require each copy of this box to be manually updated.

Is there a way to bring an Illustrator image into InDesign, clone it, transform them and then instantly update them if the design changes? I just want to be able to do the same as what I can do with bitmap images Placed in a Frame.

Just curious... thank you

1. Re: CS6 - Cloning image (from Illustrator) and automatically updating when changed

tman69 Oct 24, 2013 9:07 PM (in response to shawninvancouver)

create your image in illustrator--(save it as an .ai file with PDF cabability checked or you'll get no preview)--DO NOT drag it into indesign--PLACE the ai file--you can then copy/paste it and scale it (proportionally or disproportionately) withinin indesign--IF you change the ai design...when you open the INDD file it will update all the placed versions (assuming you have used the same file name) with the same proportions applied just as if it were a picture.
NOTE: when you drag the object from illustrator to indesign--you are making it an indesign vector object and it is only editable in indesign (because it is NOT a linked file)--so don't do that!
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2. Re: CS6 - Cloning image (from Illustrator) and automatically updating when changed

shawninvancouver Oct 25, 2013 10:45 AM (in response to tman69)

Thank you for your reply tman69.

>NOTE: when you drag the object from illustrator to indesign--you are making it an indesign vector object and it is only editable in indesign (because it is NOT a linked file)--so don't do that!

Actually, I think that is my only choice because I failed to mention that I must be able to stretch this image to different lengths (without affecting its geometry).

See details of what I am doing, here: http://forums.adobe.com/message/5785537#5785537
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3. Re: CS6 - Cloning image (from Illustrator) and automatically updating when changed

Peter Spier Oct 25, 2013 4:29 PM (in response to shawninvancouver)

If you hold the Cmd key (Ctrl on Windows) while youo drag a frame sizing handle you scale the content at the same time.
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CS6 - Cloning image (from Illustrator) and automatically updating when changed

1. Re: CS6 - Cloning image (from Illustrator) and automatically updating when changed

2. Re: CS6 - Cloning image (from Illustrator) and automatically updating when changed

3. Re: CS6 - Cloning image (from Illustrator) and automatically updating when changed

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