topic Re: ArcPro legend layer transparency in ArcGIS Pro Questions

ArcPro legend layer transparency

NigelBerjak — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 14:02:23 GMT

Is there a way to turn off the simulated symbol transparency in the legend? In ArcMap it is done simply via the dataframe properties via the 'Simulate layer transparency in legend' checkbox, but I've looked everywhere and I cannot locate it in ArcPro.

Thanks,

Nigel

Re: ArcPro legend layer transparency

AdrianWelsh — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 14:09:13 GMT

Nigel,

I'm not sure if this is the same thing as what you are looking for but, go into the Color Properties of the symbol and you can adjust the transparency in there:

Re: ArcPro legend layer transparency

NigelBerjak — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 14:14:03 GMT

Hi Adrian

Thanks for your response. No, I can style each symbol by its transparency and the layers, but in the legend the symbols for the layers are also transparented based upon the layer. I want to keep the transparency on the map but not have it transparent in the legend. Does that help to clarify things?

Thanks,

Nigel

Re: ArcPro legend layer transparency

DanPatterson_Retired — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 14:14:26 GMT

a link, other than transparency links to specif objects

http://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/help/mapping/layer-properties/vary-symbology-by-transparency.htm

Re: ArcPro legend layer transparency

AdrianWelsh — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 14:19:58 GMT

That does make more sense. Take a look at this thread that mentions this topic. I think it can help:

https://community.esri.com/thread/164095

Re: ArcPro legend layer transparency

AdrianWelsh — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 14:20:54 GMT

oh, whoops, or just read what Dan wrote, haha! (I didn't hit refresh)

Re: ArcPro legend layer transparency

NigelBerjak — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 14:37:12 GMT

Hi Dan and Adrian

Thanks. It then appears this is a 'glitch' to workaround the legend transparency issue. Good to know and hopefully someone else will find it useful as well.

Cheers,

Nigel

Re: ArcPro legend layer transparency

KFAgis1 — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 22:28:11 GMT

Using or not using layer transparency in the legend was a simple toggle in ArcGIS. Is there any new info on this topic? I generally never simulate layer transparency in my legends (in Desktop), so not having an option in Pro seems like, yet again, a major oversight (there are so many of these!). I'm really forcing myself to use Pro for exhibit production lately but the UX is pretty lacking. I'm constantly having to toggle things on and off to get to the desired options, you have to find complicated work-arounds for things that used to be built in. . . it still seems like a there are major steps backward with Pro. Increased familiarity with the program isn't necessarily helping either- it's just kinda reinforcing this for me. Most of my internet searches just turn up results from other long-time users complaining about the same things.

Re: ArcPro legend layer transparency

NigelBerjak — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 09:59:45 GMT

Do we have any update on this request from ESRI as yet, as to when it may be employed or a workaround?

Re: ArcPro legend layer transparency

Steve_Moore76 — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 22:59:29 GMT

Man... I agree with the posts. I'm really trying to use Pro, but it results in a lot of "banging my head against the wall" to find solutions. I spend a LOT of time hunting around for equivalent options we used to have in ArcMap. Many options in ArcMap were not perhaps very elegant, but they worked pretty consistently. I want that option for layer transparency in the map, but not in the legend patches because I'm using a colored background there and the transparent patches look bad. I'm going to have to resort to some awkward, time-consuming graphic workaround or completely convert my legend to graphics.

Re: ArcPro legend layer transparency

NigelBerjak — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 06:14:32 GMT

A workaround is that if you have an image, or non-transparent base layer, you can make a 'legend' set of layers below this, with no-transparency. You keep all of these on and because they are below the base layer, they will not display on-layout. They can then be added to and display without transparency in the legend. Not an ideal, but at least the legend then maintains its link to the main map without having to convert to graphics etc, which I have never found overly useful.

Hope this helps.

Re: ArcPro legend layer transparency

SpatialSam — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 18:18:02 GMT

Hey Nigel,

I found a workaround, depending on what you are looking for. I have a partially transparent layer in my map, and I didn't want the symbol/patch to be transparent in my legend.

If you convert the legend items to a graphics layer, you can select the patch, copy it, and then paste it over itself. This will create the illusion that it is not actually transparent. Another option would just be creating a polygon/point/line and replicating the symbology.

Re: ArcPro legend layer transparency

KFAgis1 — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 17:40:32 GMT

I was going to submit a "New" Idea but figured I'd just tack onto this. . . .again. . . 2 years later. Esri Dev Team, can we Please bring back the "Simulate Layer Transparency" option? The 'ol, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" moto. I often use layer clipping/duplication etc. and DON'T want the legend to reflect the lighter, washed out layer BUT the clipped layer may not contain all features. Why was this omitted and still not reintegrated under the Map Frame (OR MORE LOGICALLY) Legend Properties? Thank you!