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sucal
sucal
Inspiring
January 13, 2016
Answered

How to make artboard bg layer transparent?

  • January 13, 2016
  • 4 replies
  • 28663 views

Before Artboards were introduced, we would create a new file and the background, if chosen to be transparent, was by default a light gray and white square grid.

Is there a way to do this for artboards? Currently, the background is white by default - although there isn't a fill on the layer. When I apply a style to Layer 1 (default created layer when creating the artboard) , lets use color overlay for example, unless Layer 1 is filled with a color, it doesn't show the style applied. This causes confusion for me a times when exporting to PNG as well - I think the background is filled with white, and it's transparent.

I'd like to go back to the days of old when I could see the square grid indicating the most background layer doesn't have a fill. Has anyone figured out a way to do this? I searched the settings, and unless my coffee hasn't kicked in yet, I can't seem to find where to change it.

Thanks for your help,

Suzy

      Correct answer mmm00

      Hi, I was looking a way to make the artboards background transparent, which I knew I had seen somewhere before, but can never remember...

      I found it again here.
      So if you select the artboard and go to its Properties (Window menu to turn Properties visible), you can set the Artboard Background Color to transparent.

      Works for me, and I see it transparent in the layers thumb too. And I generate PNGs from it and they are transparent.

      Cheers

      4 replies

      S
      sam young
      Participant
      August 5, 2020

      Thank you and here's a Socailly Distanced Hug

      M
      mmm00Correct answer
      Participant
      October 23, 2017

      Hi, I was looking a way to make the artboards background transparent, which I knew I had seen somewhere before, but can never remember...

      I found it again here.
      So if you select the artboard and go to its Properties (Window menu to turn Properties visible), you can set the Artboard Background Color to transparent.

      Works for me, and I see it transparent in the layers thumb too. And I generate PNGs from it and they are transparent.

      Cheers

        R
        rolandos91392086
        Participant
        December 3, 2019

        Thank you so much! After near an hour looking for the solution.. thanks again! 😊

        Maurizio Bellisimo
        Maurizio Bellisimo
        Participant
        January 14, 2016

        I developed a work around to the unsupported transparency in the Photoshop "Artboards"

        I created a checkerboard pattern to simulate the transparency and keep it on the bottom most layer.

        You can Define your own pattern or import the pattern I created (under Edit > Fill > click on gear to load pattern.

        I have a sample file here with a pattern to import and a Transparency Grid.psd if needed : http://adobe.ly/1OkF0wG

          sucal
          sucalAuthor
          Inspiring
          January 15, 2016

          Maurice, this is a PERFECT workaround, thank you so much! I can live with this workaround until they make the transparency evident.

          Thanks again!!

          T
          timoneil
          Participant
          January 10, 2017

          If I copy merged layers the background to the artboard is copied. I can't copy a selection of layers with transparency if I'm using artboards. This makes no sense so has to be a bug - but where's the fix?

          Your pseudo transparency checkerboard might help you edit the transparency but this bug sucks from a workflow point of view.

          Get it together Adobe! Affinity have artboards done right consistently across Photo and Designer and they don't charge crazy subscription prices.

            Akash Sharma
            Akash Sharma
            Legend
            January 13, 2016

            Hi Suzy,

            Please refer these articles :-

            How to Change the artboard background color in Photoshop CC 2015

            Cannot change artboard background color in Photoshop workspace on right-click.

            Let us know if that helps

            Regards,

            Akash

            sucal
            sucalAuthor
            Inspiring
            January 13, 2016

            Good morning Akash,

            Thank you for the links - I've already read through these and the color where the artboards lay is not my issue. I can change that without a problem I'm referring to the color INSIDE my artboard. The layer looks to be filled with white although it doesn't really have a fill. If i t doesn't have a fill, it should render the gray and white square grid.

            I know its hard to understand - it's even harder for me to explain lol

            Maybe this screenshot will help:-

            Compared to: (this is what I'm trying to achieve)

              Akash Sharma
              Akash Sharma
              Legend
              January 13, 2016

              Could you post a screenshot?

              ~Akash

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