Using Elvis 5 with Adobe InDesign

This article is part of a series that describes how to use Elvis 5 with Adobe InDesign. An overview of all articles in the series is given at the bottom of the page.

As a start, a general overview is given.

Working with Elvis and InDesign

By combining Elvis with Adobe InDesign, files that are stored in Elvis can be used in InDesign.

This makes it possible to open layouts in InDesign that are stored in Elvis and place files that are stored in Elvis on a layout in InDesign.

When changes are made to the files in Elvis, these changes are visible in InDesign. Similarly, any changes that are made in InDesign are saved back to Elvis.

It is also possible to use Elvis in a version of InDesign in which WoodWing's Smart Connection is installed to make the files part of a WoodWing Enterprise workflow.

How it works

Connecting InDesign with Elvis is done by using a plug-in which needs to be installed in InDesign.

As a user you connect to Elvis by logging in to Elvis Server using an account with a required license.

Accessing the files in Elvis is done by using the Elvis Pro client or the Desktop client. You would have either one of these open together with InDesign.

Various ways of working with the files that are stored in Elvis exist (see below).

Figure: Dragging images from the Elvis Pro client onto a layout in InDesign.

Logging in

Before you can start working, you need to log in to the Elvis server on which the files are stored that you want to work with.

Step 1. Log in using the Pro client or the Desktop client so that you have access to the files that you want to use.

Step 2. Also log in to Elvis in InDesign so that it can communicate with Elvis and update or restore any links to the files in Elvis.

Note: Use the same user account to log in to both applications.

Step 2a. In InDesign, choose Elvis > Log In... .

The Log In window appears.

Step 2b. Enter the URL to the Elvis DAM Server, your user name and your password (as provided by your system administrator).

Tip: Select "Log in automatically" to automatically log in each time you start InDesign.

Logging out

To log out of the Elvis Server, choose Elvis > Log Out.

Working in InDesign

When working with Elvis in InDesign the following scenarios can exist:

1. The layout is saved locally while some or all of the placed files are stored in Elvis.
2. The layout and some or all of the placed files are stored in Elvis.
3. The layout is stored in WoodWing Enterprise and some or all of the placed files are stored in Elvis.

The following tasks can be performed:

• Opening layouts
• Placing files from Elvis on to a layout in InDesign
• Editing, changing the file format, relinking, or updating placed files that are stored in Elvis

Using Elvis with WoodWing Enterprise

Elvis can also be used in InDesign with WoodWing's Smart Connection installed. This way, the files in Elvis can be used in a workflow environment for producing publications such as newspapers, magazines, books, and more.

The layout is then stored in Enterprise while some or all of the files that are placed on the layout are stored in Elvis.

Layouts are therefore opened from within the Smart Connection workflow. Files can be placed and edited in the same way as described above.

Note: To make Elvis files part of Enterprise — for example by including an image in an article, or by storing the file in Enterprise — Elvis needs to be fully integrated in Enterprise.

Additional information

• Installing or uninstalling the InDesign plug-in
• Automate working with Elvis and InDesign by using scripting
• Using Elvis 5 with Adobe InDesign – Managing cached files

Document history

• 18 December 2018: Updated section 'Additional information' by adding a link to 'managing cached files'.
• 22 November 2018: Renamed from 'Editing InDesign layouts containing links to Elvis 6'.
• 22 November 2018: Article re-written.