Convert InDesign CS6 INDD to IDML for Creative Cloud: MarkzTools2 Mac

You can convert InDesign CS6 (Creative Suite 6) to IDML, via the MarkzTools2 Mac app from Markzware:

Do you handle Adobe InDesign CS6 files, but don’t subscribe to Creative Cloud (or don’t have the Adobe InDesign program installed)? There is a desktop publishing solution that allows you to batch convert multiple InDesign CS6 files to IDML, via a single drag-and-drop.

Markzware has long developed high-performance plugins, XTensions, and applications that offer helpful features to InDesign users and other professionals. Markzware’s MarkzTools2 is a stand-alone application from Markzware that can convert an Adobe InDesign (INDD) file to an InDesign Markup Language (IDML) file on the macOS platform.

Why create an IDML (besides to have a clean file)? Well, for starters, you may want to ensure you have a “backup” of your document, as a safety net against future file corruption. (You don’t want to lose any work that has been completed in the file.) Learn more about MarkzTools2 conversion software, by watching this video:

Convert InDesign CS6 INDD to IDML for Creative Cloud: MarkzTools2 Mac

Batch convert Adobe InDesign CS6 files to IDML and view InDesign file versions, using Markzware‘s standalone application, MarkzTools2. The MarkzTools Bundle includes MarkzTools2 (for InDesign to IDML file conversion), plus multiple InDesign plugins for converting InDesign files to an earlier InDesign version.

InDesign to IDML Conversion
You can use a simple method in a single application to convert native InDesign Creative Suite and Creative Cloud documents to IDML, without installing, launching, or running the InDesign program. MarkzTools2 can even batch convert multiple InDesign documents (even InDesign CC 2018!) in a folder to IDML.

InDesign to IDML via Drag-&-Drop onto MarkzTools2 App by Markzware
Convert InDesign CS6 to IDML via MarkzTools2 Drag and Drop

It is easy to use the stand-alone MarkzTools2 application. Just drop the document on the MarkzTools2 application, to get an IDML file, which you can open in CS6. (You can either drag and drop any Adobe InDesign file, including InDesign CC 2018, on main window -or- find & select in File > Convert menu.)

Markzware‘s MarkzTools2 will convert InDesign files, including CS6, to IDML, when you drag and drop the InDesign file onto the MarkzTools2 window. No need to run a higher InDesign version, just to get the IDML!

InDesign to IDML Conversion Progress Bar in Markzware‘s MarkzTools2
InDesign to IDML Conversion Progress Bar in Markzware MarkzTools2

MarkzTools2 displays a conversion progress window, so you can track the conversion process. You can move the Progress window to a different location on the screen, as desired. If you need to exit the conversion process at any time, click “Cancel”. When conversion is done, you can see the IDML file in the File > Recent menu.

Markzware MarkzTools2 Options for
After InDesign to IDML Conversion

Markzware MarkzTools2 Options for After InDesign to IDML Conversion
You can select additional options to be performed after IDML creation, for further customization, within the “After Conversion” section in MarkzTools2. You can move these options to a different location in its main window, as preferred.

“Create IDML” Feature in MarkzTools2

Notes on IDML Creation
There is no reason why you should be forced to request your customer to send an IDML file in addition to the native file. If you have an InDesign document but do not have access to the InDesign application itself, you can still generate an IDML, via drag-and-drop in MarkzTools2. Rather than run a higher subscription version of InDesign and await a slow IDML response, just run your lower InDesign version and quickly get the IDML.

Replacing/Renaming the IDML
Markzware MarkzTools2 allows you to keep the original IDML generated by InDesign and the new IDML generated by MarkzTools2, as well as to replace it or rename it. MarkzTools2’s “If IDML Exists” section allows you to replace or not replace an existing IDML or create a new IDML using a unique filename. You can replace and/or rename the original file, if you like. The original IDML generated by InDesign will not be replaced and MarkzTools2 will create a new IDML.

Besides, MarkzTools2 can create an IDML faster, since InDesign sends your document to its Server, which can go down and may take a while (especially for long documents) to return the IDML (with images possibly missing).

MarkzTools2 will create your new IDML in the same folder that contains the original document, via the “Document Location” option. MarkzTools2 lets you choose or create the folder in which to generate the IDML.To navigate to a folder or to create a new folder for IDML destination, click the “Other” button, which will activate the “Browse” button.

Markzware’s MarkzTools Bundle offers InDesign plugins that enable InDesign CS6 users to work on a CC-CC 2018 file. With MarkzTools2, you can convert your InDesign document directly into a standard IDML (InDesign MarkUp Language) file readable by IDML-compatible apps (including InDesign CS5 and newer).

MarkzTools [bundle] has two components: A set of plug-ins for InDesign (see below) plus a standalone conversion tool, by which you can convert almost any InDesign to IDML files. IDML-files can be directly imported in InDesign Versions (CS4 and higher).
– Karsten Risseeuw, Kursiv, MarkzTools2 user
Source: https://kursiv-software.com/en/product/markztools-2/

MarkzTools Bundle Benefits
• is inexpensive and cost-saving, as it does not require a Creative Cloud subscription.
• can convert multiple versions of InDesign to IDML.
• enables users to share files in the preferred file format.
• lets you choose or create the folder in which MarkzTools2 creates the IDML.
• enables you to speed up production, by quickly getting files into your workflow’s optimum file format.

IDML Location
You can:
• select the location of the new IDML, via the section of MarkzTools2 called “Create IDML in”.
• locate the newly-created IDML via MarkzTools2’s File>Recent menu or via Finder.
• go to the location of the IDML, by selecting the “Reveal in Finder” option in MarkzTools2.

Helpful Features of the MarkzTools Bundle from Markzware
• is a standalone app
• can batch convert multiple InDesign files
displays the version of the InDesign file you are viewing
• lets you drag your files onto MarkzTools2, to use IDMLs as a safeguard against file corruption.
• sets the proper data to ensure correct, working hyperlinks, when InDesign creates a new document.
• includes multiple language translations.
• allows you to send MarkzTools2 a path to a file, or even a folder, to convert InDesign documents to IDML.
• lets you choose to play a custom sound upon successful conversion.
• can send the IDML to InDesign. A Save dialog will then appear with the document’s name.
• can extract image previews from the InDesign document, not just “gray boxes”.

MarkzTools2 conversions software helps to protect your InDesign content (without requiring Adobe InDesign or Creative Cloud). Click the video above to see a demonstration of Markzware‘s app, MarkzTools2, for file conversion from Adobe InDesign CS6 to IDML.

“Create Lo-Res Previews” Feature in Markzware MarkzTools2

IDML Image Placeholders
Adobe InDesign creates a gray tint box as an image placeholder, when InDesign opens an IDML that refers to an image not located. MarkzTools2 can create low-res previews, to replace gray tint boxes as missing image placeholders.

To create low-resolution preview versions of the original images, select the “Create Previews” option. The preview files will be created in the “Links” sub-folder, so you can locate the placeholders for updating.

Using the MarkzTools Mac Bundle Subscription, you can convert the following InDesign versions to IDML:
• CC 2018
• CC 2017
• CC 2015
• CC 2014
• CC
(If you want to convert these InDesign versions to CS6, you can use the MarkzTools for InDesign CS6 plugin in the bundle.)

Opening the New IDML in InDesign
The MarkzTools Bundle allows you to effectively convert InDesign files to lower versions or to IDML, so that another InDesign version will be able open it. MarkzTools2 lets you open the resulting IDML files in CS5, CS6, CC 2014, CC 2015, CC 2017, or CC 2018.

Open the IDML as a new document within InDesign, by selecting the “Open IDML in InDesign” option. You can then work with higher InDesign version content, within a lower version. For example, an InDesign CC 2018 document can now be used in CS6.

IDML is an open, XML-based file format that enables third-party developers and systems integrators to programmatically create, modify, and deconstruct InDesign documents outside the context of InDesign. IDML works with standard XML editing tools, making it easy to use in automated workflows. And with support for multi-threading in InDesign, working with the IDML file format is even faster.
Source: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/automation.html


MarkzTools2 supports file conversion from InDesign CC 2018 to InDesign CS6.

Markzware‘s MarkzTools2 can convert the following InDesign file items to IDML:
• images
• layers
• tables
• linked text boxes
• page positioning
• blends
• text attributes
• colors
• runarounds

Markzware MarkzTools2 Logo Panel Horizontal 480x595
MarkzTools2 is a very affordable app for InDesign professionals, particularly if different InDesign versions are used in the workflow. Convert INDD documents to an IDML file, without having to rely on Creative Cloud!

MarkzTools2 supports file conversion of InDesign CC 2018 files and lower versions to IDML. And it is just one of the Markzware conversion tools you’ll get, when you buy the MarkzTools Bundle. Also included are MarkzTools for InDesign plugins for InDesign CS6, CS5.5, and CS6, to open newer InDesign version documents, such as CC 2018, into an earlier InDesign version.

Get the MarkzTools Bundle:
The MarkzTools 12 Month Bundle Subscription includes MarkzTools2 and the original MarkzTools for InDesign plugins. This subscription includes updates for future releases of InDesign through the life of the subscription. With a single, low-cost subscription, you get access to:
MarkzTools2
• MarkzTools for InDesign CS6 Mac
• MarkzTools for InDesign CS5.5 Mac
• MarkzTools for InDesign CS5 Mac
To buy this bundle, please visit the MarkzTools2 page. Additional Markzware products are available via the Products page.

Please feel free to subscribe to the Markzware Mailing List, and socialize with Markzware on TwitterFacebookLinkedIn, and Google+.

Convert InDesign CS6 INDD to IDML for Creative Cloud: MarkzTools2 Mac

Title: Convert InDesign CS6 INDD to IDML for Creative Cloud: MarkzTools2 Mac
Published on: June 15, 2018
Patty Talley

Strategic Marketing Analyst at Markzware

Related Articles

Stay Connected!

SUBSCRIBE
Close