Picture Box Over PDF Causes Vanishing Images and Drag Issues in InDesign

[Grundoon Groundhog]

I have placed a PDF into an ID document. Now I want to add picture boxes on top of it. When I draw one, the PDF image vanishes. If I am successful and it remains, when I try to drag an image into it again everything disappears, or the image I am trying to drag doesn't go into the box. I can search for images to place them, but dragging is (or used to be) much simpler.

<Title renamed by MOD>

[leo.r]

or the image I am trying to drag doesn't go into the box

By Grundoon Groundhog

What do you mean by saying that the image you drag "doesn't go into the box"? Unless I misunderstand your process, it sounds like you expect InDesign elements to behave the way they don't.

Also, what are your versions of InDesign and operating system?

If you're on Mac, try to disable GPU Performance in Preferences, just in case the issues you describe are actually screen redraw problems.

[Grundoon Groundhog]

Usually when i've drawn a picture box I can select a jpeg from a folder and drag it into the picture box. I thought this was the InDesign elements behave; they did yesterday.  Everything vanishes when I try to drag and move it.

IndDesign 20.0 on a MAC with the Sequoia system. 

Where can find the GPU preferences to disable?

[Eugene Tyson]

It's in the InDesign preferences

[Grundoon Groundhog]

It is already disabled. Maybe I should enable it.

[Grundoon Groundhog]

I realized that a compatible monitor is not detected. Is this because I am using a Dell rather than an Apple screen? The problem only developed in the last few days.

[Eugene Tyson]

Was anything updated - what options do you have in your Mac settings for the 2nd monitor - did you update the OS? 

I don't use an Apple monitor as my 2nd monitor - but I haven't and won't update the OS despite the incessant message from Apple to update. 

My 2nd monitor is Illyama and I have no issues with it. 

Maybe there's a setting in the OSD of the monitor - or in your Apple settings - maybe you could google the model number and see if any updates or info on what to do - or post the model here. 

I'm only guessing - it could be something else.

[Grundoon Groundhog]

Yes, I made the mistake of updating the system. I'm going to go back to the previous one, I think. There are other problems with Sequoia; things Apple seems to think are cool but are a pain in the neck (and other places).

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Grundoon Groundhog

What if you draw your objects on the paste board, fill with contents - text or images - and then move into position?

Also, can you create a new layer, move your PDF to this layer, lock this layer and then move it at the bottom of the stack? 

[Grundoon Groundhog]

Yes, in desperation that is what I did. I have realized that when I click the cursor to edit text everything vanishes for a moment. Something seems to be seriously wrong. Perhaps it's the new Apple system. Perhaps not.