"Override Master Page Items" makes master page elements disappear

[herb4]

I have several sets of signs and banners I do for a customer where the only variable is 1-3 lines of text. Everything that is consistent is on 3 sets of master pages (for 1, 2 and 3 lines of variable text)

Lately, when I drag a new master page down and override the page to enter my new text, several of the common graphics simply VANISH for some reason. This has bitten me more than once. If I drag some of these elements to their own layer, it seems to rectify it but that is not really "solving" my problem. This is a new one. And one more thing that I don't feel I should have to babysit, especially given the speed that I am asked to work.

I set up the masters to SAVE time, not to have to redo jobs. 

[Anna Lander]

please, show screens with Pages panel open and, if possible, each of masters in separate screens. Now it's hard to say anything.

[herb4]

I have screen shots

[Anna Lander]

show them please

[herb4]

[Anna Lander]

ok, there are 3 different masters. What happens when you apply another master to page? Show please.

You can add the image to your post using "Add image" icon in post top menu.

[herb4]

everything stays the same except the # of lines of text changes. The 3 masters are identical except for having 1, 2 or 3 lines of text. Except I need to override the master to enter the new text which changes for each sign. Doesn't matter which master I use the bottom right graphic vanishes when I over ride. It's not a linked image; it's a copied vector image from Illustrator. I can upload the actual file if I can figure out a way. My coworkers get the same happening when they mess with it

[herb4]

did that make sense?

[Anna Lander]

yes, please

[herb4]

I'm not sure what you are responding to. I answered your follow up question above

[Anna Lander]

let me see. For example, you have master D applied to your page. Then you command "Apply master to pages", choose, saying, master B and the page number. And all the graphics disappears, right?

[herb4]

No! I drag on of the 3 master pages down into my pages area. Then, I "override" the master on THAT PAGE so I can type in it where my placeholder text is and ONE graphic disappears (see screenshots above)

[Anna Lander]

You suggested to upload the working file. I answered that it would be useful.

[SJRiegel]

Instead of overriding the all of the Master Page items, have you tried overriding just the text block you want to change?
Shift-Command (Mac) or Shift-Control (PC), and click on the item you want to override.

[herb4]

Thanks. that actually worked but doesn't satisfy my curiosity as to WHY it happens this way. Sort of defeated the idea of me setting up masters and it's never happened before. A few signs actually got printed without the graphics. Thanks again

[SJRiegel]

The why have to do with the layer order. If one master page is based on the others, things may be getting rearranged when they are overridden.

[SJRiegel]

"I drag on of the 3 master pages down into my pages area. Then, I "override" the master on THAT PAGE so I can type in it where my placeholder text is and ONE graphic disappears"
Have you looked at the layers panel before and after the overide? 

[Anna Lander]

but WHY do you choose "Override the Master items" if you want to edit the page content? It will change the master, not page. To change the page content drag the needed master to the needed page and then select the text line using Ctrl/Cmd+Shift/ THen you will edit the page content and NOT edit the master.

[Anna Lander]

Let me clear a bit the idea of master pages. 

The masters are some "boxes" with the elements which must appear on all the choosed pages. So you create the masters first and then apply them to pages. If you need some different structure/decoration for the document parts, you create some different masters. "Overriding" may be used only if you want to change all the document look basing on the current page appearance. It's a "controversal" way.
You can drag'n'drop the master to the needed page or use "Apply master to pages" command (the last way is faster if you know which pages should have the same look).
To have an editable text area create Primary Text frame (some detail are here: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/threading-text.html)