QuarkXPress to Adobe InDesign CS4 Conversion Guide

Using Native File Formats
Older workflows required you to
keep at least two versions of each
file: a layered, native Photoshop
or Illustrator document, and a flattened
version, usually stored as a
TIFF, JPEG, or EPS. InDesign supports
those formats but also lets
you import native files themselves.
Using the native Photoshop (PSD)
and Illustrator (AI) file formats
may significantly reduce your
file-management overhead,
save disk space, and streamline
your workflow.
For example, you can place PSD
files directly into your InDesign
layouts. After placing a Photoshop
image into a layout, you can modify
it within InDesign by cropping or
scaling it or turning layers and layer
comps on or off.
InDesign preserves transparency
in Photoshop files, including soft
edges. No matter what technique
you use—paths, masks, or alpha
channels—InDesign can read, display,
and output the image.
InDesign even lets you place and
separate PSD files that contain 3D
artwork or spot colors, including
duotone images.
InDesign also lets you control the
visibility of layers when you place
PDF-compatible AI files and layered
PDF files.
Turn on Show Import Options
when placing native files to control
how the file is imported. For
example, when importing an AI or
PDF file, the Import Options dialog
box lets you choose which pages or
artboards to place, whether to crop
the artwork or include its bleed area,
which layers you want visible, and
whether the background should be
considered transparent or opaque.
When placing a native PSD file,
the Import Options dialog box lets
you choose which layers or layer
comps to show, whether to apply
an embedded clipping path, which
ICC color profile to apply to the
image, and even which channel to
use as a transparency mask for the
document.
If you’ve selected different layers
or layer comps in placed PSD files
in your layouts, be sure to let your
printer know. Some printers flatten
PSD files as part of their workflow,
which would not give you the
results you want. Of course, this is
irrelevant if you are sending PDF
files to your printer.
Tip:
IMPORTING INDESIGN FILES
You can also import native InDesign
(INDD) documents into other InDesign
files, eliminating the need for an intermediate
PDF file. When you place an
INDD file, InDesign treats it like a layered
PDF document, so you can choose
which page or pages to import, and
you can turn on and off layers. When
you package your document, all placed
images and fonts in the original INDD
file are also collected properly.
26 Adobe InDesign CS4 | Conversion Guide