Problems getting a transparent background on PNG

[Ron99]

Hi all.

I'm having trouble getting a transparent background on an exported PNG.  I'm using AD on ipad.  Here's the scenario:

I've imported a .ai file of a speech bubble and want to export 'as-is'  as a transparent PNG.  When I export the file, I'm seeing the bubble as a square image with a grid in in the background (see screenshot - blue background)

Here's what I've tried.  Each time, I get this grid in the background:

1. Gone to file -> Canvas -> set 'Transparent Canvas'

2. Deselected all.  Export persona -> selected top level slice (whole page) -> selected PNG -> exported

3. Pixel persona -> Selected all -> Export -> select PNG -> Area: 'Whole Document"

4. Pixel persona -> Selected all -> Export -> select PNG -> Area: 'Selection without background"

I'm really confused.  I would have thought that the image has transparency by default.  Why is AD adding this grid background (which in my limited, novice's understanding normally represents transparency)??

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Affinity-Inspiration]

I can’t help sorry, but I too am interested in finding an answer. I’m not finding this setting transparency thing at all intuitive yet.

Is it possible to put the original .ai file somewhere accessible? Or have you since posting, solved the problem?

[Sara72]

Hi,

When you go to export make sure you have the cloud image selected, then when you go to Export as png, you will get the option in the Area settings to choose: 'Selection without background', at the moment it looks like that is greyed out in your settings and the whole document is getting exported.

[Affinity-Inspiration]

Thanks. I’ll give that a try. I’m out at the moment. Which reminds me,  if that imported image of the cloud has a transparent background, why can’t I see the blue background?

thanks

robert

[Sara72]

29 minutes ago, HarryMcGovern said:

if that imported image of the cloud has a transparent background, why can’t I see the blue background?

I would think it was probably not transparent when it was imported or got flattened and rasterised because some of the effects added (like the drop shadow) were not supported.

[Alfred]

22 hours ago, Ron99 said:

Why is AD adding this grid background (which in my limited, novice's understanding normally represents transparency)??

Are you saying that you only see the chequerboard on export, not within AD?

[Dan C]

Hi Ron99

Could you please post a copy of your Affinity or AI file so we can look into this further please? As Alfred above, I too am confused that you're seeing a chequerboard after export!

[Ron99]

7 hours ago, HarryMcGovern said:

I can’t help sorry, but I too am interested in finding an answer. I’m not finding this setting transparency thing at all intuitive yet.

Is it possible to put the original .ai file somewhere accessible? Or have you since posting, solved the problem?

Hi Harry.  I was about to post the .ai file, but I realised I'd be in breach of the license from Adobe.  Sorry.  

[Ron99]

Thanks all for your input on this - I've just found an answer!

It turns out that the .ai file included a checkerboard image within the artwork!!  I only realised when zooming, and noticed that the checkerboad squares were zooming too.

So it wasn't an AD issue at all - really annoying though!  One to watch out for.

Thanks for your input folks!

[Alfred]

6 hours ago, Alfred said:

Are you saying that you only see the chequerboard on export, not within AD?

 

5 minutes ago, Ron99 said:

Thanks all for your input on this - I've just found an answer!

It turns out that the .ai file included a checkerboard image within the artwork!!  I only realised when zooming, and noticed that the checkerboad squares were zooming too.

Thanks for confirming my suspicions!

[Affinity-Inspiration]

6 minutes ago, Ron99 said:

Thanks all for your input on this - I've just found an answer!

It turns out that the .ai file included a checkerboard image within the artwork!!  I only realised when zooming, and noticed that the checkerboad squares were zooming too.

So it wasn't an AD issue at all - really annoying though!  One to watch out for.

Thanks for your input folks!

Wow, that’s a real trap. Glad you spotted it.

[Cheryl53]

I am having a similar issue with saving png files as transparent.

1. I created a transparent document at the start.

2. Selected Export, turned switch off by matte background, selected png and no matter what I do it saves with a white background, even when I do it by selection, and selecting selection without background.

3. The screenshots of the picture were loaded into procreate after exporting from designer but this is what it looks like. Procreate supports png files.

I am including screen shots of what it looks like when exported.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Cheryl

[Sara72]

Hi Cheryl53

Im not having a problem importing transparent png’s into procreate.

I’m using the ‘Share’ option in export tho and saving images to my photos, bringing them into procreate that way.

You don’t say if your using Photo or Designer? Try clicking on the settings burger menu in the layers (3 lines in box) and check the box for:  Checkboard Background.

As you’ve mentioned, make sure the item on your canvas is selected (blue marquee) and that you have the ‘Selection without background’ set in ‘Area’  on the export dialogue page. Maybe the issue is where you are exporting too and some kind of bug.

[Affinity-Inspiration]

Seems to be ok here. You must be not setting transparent background, then adding a layer maybe?

[Cheryl53]

Ok. So when I export the png to the files app instead of saving to camera roll via share option it saves with transparent background. I’ve not had that issue before. Strange. 

[Ron99]

Hmm. That is a weird one.  Perhaps files are converted to jpgs automatically when saved to the camera roll? Dunno. Still - good to hear you have a fix for your issue Cheryl53.