Can't see base layer

Sep 04, 2013

My layers were working just fine, then suddenly, I could no longer see the base layer (at all) when I am working on other layers.

Everything is there when I preview, but I can't see the base objects from other layers in the Normal view.

2 Replies
Ashley Terwilliger-Pollard

Hi Alison,

It's hard to diagnose without your file, but it sounds like you're seeing all the items as expected in Preview, but not while you're editing? Are you seeing the base layer items in Preview while viewing another layer as well? If not, did you check the slide layer properties to ensure you haven't hidden your base layer objects? 

If that's not the case, since you mentioned it just started happening randomly, can you confirm you're working with local project files, please?

  • Working on a network drive or a USB drive can cause erratic behavior, including file corruption, loss of audio, and other unexpected behavior so be sure that you are working on your local drive (your C: drive).
  • You should also make sure the directory path to your project files and your published output is less than 260 characters (for example C:\Articulate).
  • Avoid using special characters, accents or symbols in your file names (this includes spaces and underscores).
Alison Martin

Thanks Ashley,

Yes, everything is showing in Preview and Publish. I am not always working from local project files (and I did experience some other wacky stuff regarding audio and misplaced objects, and had to go back to a previous version). I will try changing that and removing spaces and underscores from the file name.

Is there anything I can do to fix the current file, to correct the problem?

Ashley Terwilliger-Pollard

Hi Alison,

If this file has become corrupted due to the issues above, you could try to import it into a new Storyline file and that can sometimes solve the corruption issues. Since you mentioned other wacky stuff, it sounds like not working with local project file may be the culprit. If you're still having difficulty after importing into a new project, and working locally, we can take a look at your files and see if there is anything else our Support team can do. Just send us the .story file here. 

Rebecca Fleisch Cordeiro

Hi Ashley and Alison,

Just a thought. Alison, you said in your original post: "Everything is there when I preview, but I can't see the base objects from other layers in the Normal view."

Could this be the problem...that you accidentally shut the base layer's eye? This happened to me somehow when I first started using Storyline, and I had NO idea what was wrong until someone in the community made this suggestion. Once I opened the eye, I was good to go. Not sure who shut it in the first place

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