legacy IDML imported documents causing major problems

[Radd]

I have a significant number of 30–40 page documents that have been brought over from InDesign as I've needed to update them. They're children's workbooks and so very graphic rather than text based. The graphics are a mix of Illustrator and Designer files. The Publisher docs have always caused problems when opening, with the graphics not displaying correctly (blurred and/or out of place) but these usually correct themselves with a bit of time and/or a click on them to give them a 'helping hand'. I've always put this down to an ageing iMac with a graphics card that may have been struggling to cope.

However, having taken the plunge and transferred all my work files over to a more sprightly MacBook Pro, I'm now having major problems with most of the graphics throughout each book. Looking through the forums it seems that I may have been blaming the poor old iMac more than it deserved.

The first screenshot shows the sort of issue I was getting previously and the Resources panel which shows that everything needs updating (even though the relative file structure is exactly the same. The files haven't been modified – just moved. This makes no sense when the linked file is positioned the same relative to the Publisher document.

So the major issue becomes apparent after updating the files. They don't all retain their correct position within the picture frame. The second and third screenshots show an example spread before and after updating. I really don't want to have to reposition all these graphics by hand, there are hundreds in each book with a large percentage needing correcting.

Some of the later forum posts indicate that this type of issue is fixed but it's certainly still a problem for me. I'm using Publisher 1.10.4 on macOS 10.14.6

1. Interesting that the thumbnail in the Resources panel is wrong as well. And there's no correlation between the type of file affected. The red/grey lorry at the top is an .ai file.

2. Spread before updating all the files which looks ok although the same graphics as page 1 are positioned incorrectly.

3. Spread after 'Modified' files updated – major work needed.

[Lee D]

Can you please use the Save as Package option on Publishers File menu and then provide a download link so I can take a look?

[Radd]

Thanks Lee, link below.

I've already been through and updated the graphics for the Stoke book so the link is a variation of the book for another council. Interestingly, if I update all the modified files before packaging the graphics screw up as per the screenshot above as you'd expect. However, if I re-open the file without saving, and update after packaging, then all the graphics, bar a couple, update correctly.

After packaging is it still the original .afpub file open or the packaged version?

https://app.box.com/s/0yqbdjocldtoplj74q18db6u6ezxx8ob