Combining text and raster images in Step and Repeat layout files

If your layout file must feature multiple parts that have identical artworks combining text and raster images, you need to tell the EngView/Adobe Illustrator integration how you want it to (1) populate the layout file with these images and (2) render the text. You have two options, and they have their upsides and downsides.

This is the message that the integration displays, asking you about what you want it to do:

Illustrator can:

• Embed the raster image to each part in the layout. — Each embedded image becomes part of the .ai file.
  • Upside: Quality of images and text is preserved.
  • Downside: The output layout file may become unacceptably large.
• Link a raster image to all the parts that must have it. — Illustrator embeds an image only to one part in the layout and then links this image to all the parts that must have it.
  • Upside: A lightweight file.
  • Downside: The correct rendering of applied text may be compromised.

NOTE: You will not be facing this choice if your designs do not feature text; in that case, the output file size remains the sole factor you will have to consider.