Comments on: Adobe InDesign: Libraries vs. Snippets

By: InDesignSecrets » Blog Archive » This Week in InDesign Articles, Number 5

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:44:32 +0000

[...] Deuchler pointed out an old Terry White article about using libraries versus snippets that should be [...]

By: Trish

Trish — Sun, 24 May 2009 18:24:56 +0000

From the Links panel, choose to Embed Link.

By: Luvlee

Luvlee — Fri, 01 May 2009 20:55:58 +0000

Some of you mentioned that the library can store an embedded picture. How can you embed a placed picture in InDesign?

By: Tutorials for Wed., Nov. 19th « Graphic and Information Design

Tutorials for Wed., Nov. 19th « Graphic and Information Design — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:13:58 +0000

[...] http://www.layersmagazine.com/adobe-indesign-libraries-vs-snippets.html (static tutorial) [...]

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:19:10 +0000

I was wondering if you edit an image or text file in the library does it effect all files that it is placed in? I have several documents that use the same images and text and i want to be able to edit them all with one step.

By: prashant

prashant — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:29:12 +0000

The graphics in the library and the snippet are stand alone, they create references and even after deleting the original matter you can place the instance of that through the library and snippet right. all the matter and the links to the graphics are intact.

By: Harto

Harto — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:20:12 +0000

Think ill just stick to the library, Snippets do the same thing really.

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:50:20 +0000

I have discovered that, if the object is embedded in the original InDesign document they were exported (or saved) from, then it will be imbedded in the snippet or library files. If the object is linked in the original document, the snippet or library item will also be linked to the original location. Also, associated styles will be imbedded also.

My personal experience with libraries is that they can become corrupt, however it is nice to have all the elements in one list. The advantage with snippets, is that they are visible from Bridge, however they are single separate elements, harder to organize or share.

By: Adam

Adam — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 21:53:05 +0000

@Karen: I’m not sure where the objects are actually saved.

But for your second question, if you delete an object in your library from the original document you created it it, the object still exists in your library. However, you do have to watch out for library objects that include links to other files…if those files are deleted or otherwise modified, your object linked to those files will no longer work.

By: Karen

Karen — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 20:48:12 +0000

When I create graphic objects in InDesign + drag them into a Library, where exactly are they saved?

Also, what would happen if I deleted one of the original graphic objects from the document?

By: Diane Collins

Diane Collins — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:12:22 +0000

one advantage of snippets over libraries is that you can view the snippet in bridge but the library only looks like the icon from bridge. To view the library you have to be in InDesign.

By: Scott Citron

Scott Citron — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:49:35 +0000

No difference, other than simply another way to help organize your Library items.