Expert: Candice Anderson - 7/28/2007

Question
QUESTION: I create an InDesign doc with psd files and then export to pdf. For some reason, when my client tries to open the pdf, he gets gray boxes instead of images. I can open the file with no issue. I assume there is a setting I need to change, but I can't figure out what it is. Any ideas? Thanks.

ANSWER: Do these missing images, now boxes have a shadow of some sort, or a transparency or something that's not just a placed in image?


if so, it's either that his Acrobat needs to be updated to the latest version, or it could be a fluke. PDFs don't like the new fangled things that Indesign does (which i think got fixed in CS3)  

Try making the pdf again and resending, this works most of the time. If you can't get it to go, make the pdf, open it in photoshop and save it as a .jpg.

ps - when it goes to printer give them in the indesign and package, if it happens with the client, it will probably happen with the printer.

let me know if you need anymore help with this.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The IMAGES I placed in InDesign do have transperencies, shadows, etc... I used the photoshop files. Is this what you are refering to? Or are you asking about transperencies created in InDesign? (I don't think I have any...) Is it MY software that needs updating? (because the client tells me he is on Reader 8.) I am using CS1...

Answer
So...you added the shadows and what not in Photoshop and then placed them?

if yes - hmm... I don't why there would be a problem. It's not in your software however. It's in his reader. Sorry, I really don't know why that would be a problem. Save as a .jpg at that should do it.

If you do all that stuff in Indesign, then I repeat what I said before:

For some reason Acrobat doesn't understand photos with shadows and transparencies.

1. Make the shadows and transperencies in photoshop and then place it in Indesign (forgot about this earlier :) )

2. Give the client the Indesign files with the packaged files (not reccommened for obvious reason's)

3. Export as .pdf, open it in photoshop and save as a jpeg.

Your software is fine.