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Moon Raven
Participant
February 20, 2023
Answered

Save opacity as part of swatch

  • February 20, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 2874 views

I want several objects to share the same opacity value. I don't want to apply the opacity value to each object individually - instead, I'd like to have opacity saved as part of the objects color swatch, and later change the opacity of all those objects using a single slider of the swatch.

 

Is this possible in InDesign?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Rene Andritsch

You could simply create an Object Style with the Transparency setting to your liking. Apply it to all your objects. If the Fill color should be different simply deactivate the Fill tick box. You can change the Transparency value anytime and all objects with the Object Style applied will change accordingly.

3 replies

Rene Andritsch
Community Expert
Rene AndritschCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
February 20, 2023

You could simply create an Object Style with the Transparency setting to your liking. Apply it to all your objects. If the Fill color should be different simply deactivate the Fill tick box. You can change the Transparency value anytime and all objects with the Object Style applied will change accordingly.

    E
    Community Expert
    Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 20, 2023

    I agree this is a viable solution - however, it would involve adding transparncy to the page and could have unintended consequences on output. But shouldn't be too much of an issue.

     

    The problem is that it applies to the entire block - that is everything inside that is given the same opacity.

    You couldn't have a block of text in Cyan and then 50% opacity text in the middle of the sentence.

    It would be better to have this a 50% tint with overprint applied.

     

    Horses for courses.

    E
    Community Expert
    Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 20, 2023

    Further to Peter's advice - https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/indesign/using/tints.html

    That's the how to page to create Tint Swatches - they will be based on the Parent swatch.

     

    For opacity - set the fill in the object to Overprint - this will let the tint blend with any colour it goes over.

    If you don't wnat this to happen - then turn off Overprint for the fill / stroke colour - and the swatch will knockout - which means when it interacts with a colour underneath it will remain the same colour.

    https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/indesign/using/overprinting.html#:~:text=Choose%20Window%20%3E%20Output%20%3E%20Attributes.,selected%20objects%2C%20select%20Overprint%20Stroke.

     

     

    M
    Moon RavenAuthor
    Participant
    February 20, 2023

    The object fill stays opaque, even if I turn on "Overprint Fill" - am I missing something?

    E
    Community Expert
    Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 20, 2023

    View>overprint preview

    Peter Spier
    Community Expert
    Peter SpierCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 20, 2023

    Not opacity, which implies you want other objects to show through and is an object-level attribute, but you can create a TINT swatch with your chosen percentage of a color, which is opaque.

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