Issue with Hidden Layers Exporting in PNG Format
Hello. I am experiencing an issue with Illustrator when exporting my files to PNG format using artboards. Specifically, the exported PNG includes layers that are hidden and not displayed on the screen at the time of export. This issue does not occur when I export all the artwork or only selected artworks.
Here are the details:
Software Version: 29.3.1
Operating System: Windows 11 24H2
Steps to Reproduce:
Open the Illustrator file.
Hide certain layers.
Export the file to PNG format using artboard and have transparent background.
Check the exported PNG file.
Despite hiding the layers before exporting, they still appear in the final PNG. This issue is affecting my workflow and the accuracy of my exported files.
Could you please investigate this issue and provide a solution or workaround? Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your support!
Miguel Jimenez
shared this idea
-
I can confirm the behavior with the file shared and the steps provided.
In my test I tried to hide all layers but 'Under', 'Green Areas', 'Hydrology' sublayer (within 'Site Plan' top layer), to match the look the first screenshot has.
Then I used Export As, PNG, with Use Artboards option checked, with Transparent Background Color chosen (doesn't' matter).
The exported result has the contents from 'Site Plan::Building Footprints' sub-sub-layer visible (inside of the 'Buildings' sublayer), the same way the second screenshot shows it.The I tried to remove layers, one by one, checking what still makes these building appear. I also tried to remove layer-level appearances applied, objects, checking as I go.
This way I was able to distill this file into a minimum of the elements — take a look at the attached file and verify you have the same behavior with it, and the hidden magenta square in 'Site Plan::Building Footprint' appears when you try to export.
Also please confirm that deleting anything (layers, even empty ones, the drop shadow the magenta square has, etc.) makes the hidden rectangle vanish in an exported image.That’s a very good catch, Miguel. Thank you — and I admire your patience with this map.
(Edited by admin) -
Miguel Jimenez
commented
Hi Egor. Sorry for the delayed response. I thought I had sent a response earlier. I shared the file to the email you shared in your previous comment. Please let me know if you have any issues accessing it.
-
Miguel, if the problem is localized in this file, but it’s too large to get attached here, you can try to upload it to a temporary hosting service of your choice and share a link here (or send it directly to sharewithai@adobe.com for the team to review.
Another method (time consuming) would be stripping portions of the document apart, testing it in stages. Perhaps you don’t need to have all the stuff in all the layers to trigger the bug? Anyway, without the file it’s impossible to investigate. How large is it? -
Miguel Jimenez
commented
Hello Egor. It is Export As. The issue did not happen when I tried exporting with a recently created file, but the artwork was much simpler. The file is large, and it has taken all day to upload without effort. Is there a different way to do so?
-
Miguel, do you mean Export As or Export for Screens method?
Can you share the specific file you are having this problem with? Can you reproduce this problem with a file created from scratch?
