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Participating Frequently
August 31, 2021
Answered

Solid colors are appearing transparent in InDesign v16.4

  • August 31, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 1721 views

Long time InDesign user here who is stumpted by a seemingly basic issue after updating to the latest version of InDesign (v16.4). Basically whenever I select a non-black color for my text color or to fill an object the color is transparent. If I choose white the color will be 100% transparent, if I choose another color the color and the object beneath it will blend as if the Multiply blending effect was being applied. I thought I might have turned on a blending effect by mistake but as you can see in the screenshots a solid color is selected for the fill, there are no blending effects applied to the object and yet the fill is transparent. Any feedback on steps I can take to fix this issue would be greatly appreciated.

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Correct answer Eugene Tyson

You're 100% sure that the image is on the correct layer? 

 

I see the other layers are locked. Can you unlock them and ensure that the color frame has nothing on top of it.

Even better just move the text layer to the top temporarily.

 

2 replies

BobLevine
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 1, 2021

Is it set to overprint?

eerbesAuthor
Participating Frequently
September 1, 2021

I don't think so (the overprint fill box is unchecked in the Attributes panel). I don't have any experience setting and adjusting the overprint so I'm not an expert in that area.

Eugene TysonCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
September 1, 2021

You're 100% sure that the image is on the correct layer? 

 

I see the other layers are locked. Can you unlock them and ensure that the color frame has nothing on top of it.

Even better just move the text layer to the top temporarily.

 

Peter Spier
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 31, 2021

I'd try trashing the prefs...

eerbesAuthor
Participating Frequently
September 1, 2021

Deleted the preferences, opened the file again and am still experencing the same issue. It's only occuring in the file I'm currently working on. If I open a previous .indd project or create a new one I don't experience the color issue. Is it possible that my .indd file is somehow corrupt? I'd hate for that to be the case as I've put a lot of work into it.

Steve Werner
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 1, 2021

To try to fix a corrupt file, save as an IDML file (File > Save As > InDesign CS4 (or later) [IDML]). Reopen in InDesign and try again.