GPU Preview hides black faded background in live vector envelope; CPU Preview renders correctly
Illustrator 30.8.2 incorrectly displays a live vector envelope containing clipping masks, transparency and a gradient fade in GPU Preview. The black background disappears, while the white pattern and black lettering remain visible.
Switching to View → Preview on CPU (Cmd+E) immediately restores the background without changing the artwork. Exported PNGs also retain the correct black background and fade.
System:
• Illustrator 30.8.2
• macOS 27.2, build 26B123
• MacBook Pro, Apple M1, 8 GB RAM
• CMYK document
Steps to investigate:
1. Open the attached Illustrator sample.
2. Locate the live envelope below the empty artboard. It is intentionally on the pasteboard, matching the original working context.
3. Inspect it in GPU Preview.
4. Switch to Preview on CPU using Cmd+E.
5. Compare with the attached exported reference images.
Expected:
GPU Preview, CPU Preview and exports should show the same background, gradient fade, pattern and lettering.
Actual:
In the original working document, GPU Preview hides the black background. CPU Preview restores it, and exports retain it.
Attachments:
• Editable AI sample containing one live envelope and zero raster items.
• Actual GPU-preview screenshot from the working document.
• Opaque and transparent PNG exports showing the correct appearance.
The CPU workaround was confirmed in the original working document. The isolated AI sample has not yet been independently tested on another machine. The reference PNGs are exports, not CPU-preview screenshots.
A related clipping/transparency issue was marked fixed in Illustrator 30.3:
https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-desktop-bugs/suggestions/50092491-gpu-preview-glitches-with-clipping-masks-and-trans
This occurs in 30.8.2 and may be a regression or a separate live-envelope rendering issue.
Besnik Runjeva
shared this idea