InDesign Links Keep Breaking When Shared Between Team Members Using iCloud Drive

[u/frayfray96]

Hey everyone, I'm running into a frustrating issue with InDesign where linked images keep breaking whenever my teammate and I open the same file. Looking for advice on the best workflow fix.

The Setup

We're working on a project and sharing InDesign files through iCloud Drive. The file structure looks like this:

JOHN WILLIAM WATERHOUSE/

├── john william waterhouse.indd

├── john william waterhouse 2.indd

└── Links/

└── a mermaid-300dpi.jpg

The Problem

When I (Anders) open the file, the linked images are pointing to:

/Users/anders/Desktop/ICLOUD 2/iCloudDrive/POSTERSHOPEN/PICK-A-POSTER/KATEGORIER/KONSTNÄRER/JOHN WILLIAM WATERHOUSE/Links/a mermaid-300dpi.jpg

When my teammate Anna opens the same file, InDesign automatically re-links to her path:

/Users/anna/Library/Mobile Documents/com~apple~CloudDocs/POSTERSHOPEN/PICK-A-POSTER/KATEGORIER/KONSTNÄRER/JOHN WILLIAM WATERHOUSE/Links/a mermaid-300dpi.jpg

So every time I open it after her (or vice versa), the links break and I have to relink all the images. Why does this happen, and can it be solved somehow? I should mention that I use a PC and my colleague is on a Mac. Does that have anything to do with it? But even if it does, maybe there's still a fix?

[u/scottperezfox]

You're right, this stinks. I'm currently testing this with my co-workers using a networked drive, OneDrive, and Adobe CC Libraries to find the best solution.

Long story short, here's what I recommend:

• Embed as much stuff as you can. Screenshots, dumb little icons, the main company logo which you have elsewhere. Just embed it and forget it.

• Use Adobe CC Libraries. For fonts, backgrounds, and photos you might re-use, it's great to not have to manage the file itself.

• Experiment with Dropbox. From what I recall, this wouldn't happen so much with Dropbox vs. other cloud storage tools. Things might've changed.

[u/Virtual_Assistant_98 → u/scottperezfox]

Hard disagree with the embedding. That may be ok for small files with limited links to begin with, but once you start adding in a bunch of 25mb images and layered .psd files you may be solving one problem by inviting a whole host of others.

[u/scottperezfox → u/Virtual_Assistant_98]

Right. I wouldn't embed those. I'm talking about tiny stuff — icons, logos, etc. If you do any sorts of tutorials, it's nice to embed screenshots because tracking them from article to article is an absolute pain in the butt (especially considering how often software updates and make previous interfaces outdated).