Embedding Linked Files - Why does AI do this?

[Hexabuzz]

Hi everyone,

We were badly burned on a print job yesterday... We know what happened... Now... Now we need to know why...

Why does Illustrator scale a file as soon as you embed the link? It seems that regardless of the files original resolution, it wil place at 100%, but as soon as you "Embed Image", if you go to Link Information, what was once 100% is now scaled to a percentage to make it 72DPI res (i.e. placed 600DPI PSD linked at 100% becomes scaled to 12% when embedded). File dimensions and appearance do not change...

We had a disaster where a logo with a soft feathered edge was created as a 2400dpi bitmap, and placed in an AI file. In the past with our Scitex Brisque RIP, this bitmap would have RIPped at the native 2400dpi, and appeared as linework on the final file. Recently we switched to an Artworks Nexus workflow, and were instructed to embed all artwork in AI files before sending the files to the workflow. Needless to say (See above) the nice soft 2400 dpi shading became a ridiculously crunchy 72dip, wasn't noticed, and 4000 sheets of a pressrun later, people are screaming...

Has AI always done this when embedding? Can we control resolution at which the files is embedded?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this...

Dave

[prophet]

I think you have to Object>Rasterize the image when its in AI.

[szalayc]

Hi Dave,
The file size does indeed increase when embedding PSD's, as the PSD then becomes part of the file itself. When a PSD is linked to an AI file, the link itself is 100%, but you are only viewing it at the desired size (dimensions), which may be visually scaled to fit your document. When the PSD is embedded, you are then seeing the PSD at the actual pixel size, which is why it appears to be 12% or whatever in the info box. (I never pay too much attention to this info box, it is misleading)
Are your document raster effects settings set to 300dpi in AI? We use a Nexus workflow as well, and I have noticed that final output is affected by this AI setting, especially when there are AI effects present in the file.

Good luck!

[Hexabuzz]

Thanks for the input, Szalayc!

Turns out there's a setting in Nexus regarding handling of bitmap images aand their resolution, and we missed it... Still getting used to all of the ins and outs of the new workflow...