When you upload ZIP files to the Acquia DAM (Widen), the files in the ZIP folder are first identified by the system. Based on how they’re arranged and the type of files included, a preview will be created for supported file types.

The DAM can identify ZIP files as one of four types of archives or project files. These are identified in the following precedence using the following file types: InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, video files, and PDF files. Once the archive or project type is identified, a preview is created based on the type. You will see “Preview Not Available” when previews cannot be created.

Use the guidelines below to ensure that the uploaded ZIP files will produce the desired previews.

InDesign archives

The DAM identifies a ZIP file as an InDesign archive if it contains both an INDD file and a folder named "Links" in the top folder contained within the ZIP file. Detection of the "Links" folder is case sensitive.

When a file is identified as an InDesign archive, there are two types of previews that can display: a PDF preview or a thumbnail preview embedded in the file’s metadata. For a PDF preview, a PDF file must be at the same level as the INDD file, and the files must be named the same. If a PDF isn’t located, an embedded image is used from the file's metadata. If neither is found, a No Preview Available image will display.

Illustrator projects

The DAM identifies a ZIP file as an Illustrator project if an AI file can be located anywhere in the ZIP file. InDesign archives that contain AI files will be recognized as InDesign archives (see above) and will not use the AI file for the preview.

When a file is recognized as an AI archive, the DAM first looks for an AI file with a filename that exactly matches that of the ZIP file. If a file isn't found, the DAM uses the file found in the highest folder level. If there are multiple AI files at the same folder level, the preview chosen is based on the alphabetical order of both the file and its folder name.

AI files and AI files within an AI project archive (ZIP file) should be saved as PDF compatible in order for them to preview. If they're not saved as PDF compatible, you'll receive a message in AI alerting you to enable the Create PDF Compatible File option.

PDF archives

The DAM identifies a ZIP file as a PDF archive if it finds a PDF file with a name that exactly matches the ZIP filename. The file can be at any level in the ZIP file. However, the ZIP needs to be created of a folder with the PDF in it or any of it's subfolders. Creating a ZIP of just a PDF will not render a preview.

The preview created for PDF archives will use the PDF file matching the exact ZIP filename. If multiple copies exist across multiple folders, the copy in the highest folder will be found first. If multiple copies exist at equal folder levels, the file is chosen based on the alphabetical order of both the folder and filenames.

Video projects

If the ZIP file contains a WMV file, it will be identified as a video project.

The preview created for video projects will use a WMV file matching the exact ZIP filename. If multiple copies exist across multiple folders, the copy in the highest folder will be found first. If multiple copies exist at equal folder levels, the file is chosen based on the alphabetical order of both the folder and filenames. If no WMV file matches the ZIP filename, the preview will use the first WMV file based on alphabetical order in the highest folder. 

How are previews created for ZIP files?