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darby_oswald
Participating Frequently
November 7, 2018
Answered

Why does adjusting the opacity of one object affect another unrelated object?

  • November 7, 2018
  • 1 reply
  • 2651 views

Hi,

I'm working with InDesign CC. I've never encountered this issue before, but I rarely have worked with Pantone colors, so I might be missing something.

I have one object set to Pantone solid coated 072 C. I am not touching this object or doing anything with it. I selected an object that is a completely different color (CMYK green and not Pantone green, as per my client's request), and I want to adjust its opacity. Whenever I adjust the opacity for the object that is green, the blue Pantone color is also adjusted to mirror the changes.

Does anyone know why this is happening? They are not both selected, they are two completely separate objects, and I'm working in CMYK space for this particular document as it is intended for print.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated, and I'm hoping it's as simple as I'm missing something obvious I should know better about.

Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Steve Werner

The following article describes how adding transparency (as opacity does) changes the transparency blend space of the document. That can shift colors. Here's the key point:

"But as soon as you introduce ANY transparency into the document (for example, using an effect like a drop shadow, or placing an image with a transparent background), InDesign needs to convert everything in the document to EITHER RGB or CMYK. (This is why you may often see a number of colors or grayscale images suddenly change their appearance on the page when you switch the transparency blend space setting)."

Here's the article:

Choosing a Transparency Blend Space - PrintingForLess.com

1 reply

Steve Werner
Community Expert
Steve WernerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
November 7, 2018

The following article describes how adding transparency (as opacity does) changes the transparency blend space of the document. That can shift colors. Here's the key point:

"But as soon as you introduce ANY transparency into the document (for example, using an effect like a drop shadow, or placing an image with a transparent background), InDesign needs to convert everything in the document to EITHER RGB or CMYK. (This is why you may often see a number of colors or grayscale images suddenly change their appearance on the page when you switch the transparency blend space setting)."

Here's the article:

Choosing a Transparency Blend Space - PrintingForLess.com

    D
    darby_oswaldAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    November 7, 2018

    Thank you so much for that insight, Steve. I will figure out something else versus using an opacity change in my design.

    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 7, 2018

    I will figure out something else versus using an opacity change in my design

    Do you really intend to output the Pantone Blue 072C swatch as a separate spot color plate—the job is going to print as 5-color? If the intention is to output the Pantone color as process CMYK, consider using the PANTONE Color Bridge version of the swatch, which is defined as CMYK. Its appearance wont be affected by other transparent objects on the page.

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