Can't see the base from a layer? Or is it just dimmed? Is that what you want? Here's how to control base visibility...

There are different ways to control what appears—or disappears—on the base. It's good to know these options in case you need to troubleshoot a file that isn't displaying as expected. 

 

Dim the base while editing a layer

The Dim button slightly fades base objects while editing a layer. This can help you focus on the objects on the layer. 

• Dim is selected by default, but you can deselect it so the base appears without fading. 
• Dim only fades the base during editing. It does not impact how the slide will look when previewed or published. 

 

Hide the base while editing the layer

The visibility of the base can be locked (visible while editing a layer) or unlocked (hidden while editing a layer). This image shows the base unlocked:

• The default is locked, which reveals an eye icon. If you don't see that icon, just click the designated area to lock the visibility.

• Like the Dim button, this only affects the base while you're editing layers. It doesn't hide the base when the slide is previewed or published.

 

Dim the entire base during editing and when previewed or published 

If a layer has a solid fill for the background, that will hide the base completely. A semi-transparent fill will dim the base. How that looks depends on the fill color and transparency setting. 

 

The background setting is accessed via DESIGN tab > Background Styles > Format Background. 

• If the base is dimmed when viewing a layer, check the background setting. The layer might have a semi-transparent background.
• If the base doesn't show at all when viewing a layer, the layer might have a solid background with no transparency. 
• The default background for layers is set via the Feedback Masters. (See Storyline 360: Using Feedback Masters | Articulate - Community )

 

Hide all objects on the base during editing and when previewed or published 

The Slide Layer Properties let you hide the entire base when a user visits a layer in the published course. With this setting, the base will also be hidden when you're editing the layer.

• Permanent objects (for example, shapes and images) that are on the Master layout can't be hidden with this method.

 

Hide only designated objects on the base during editing and when previewed or published 

You don't have to use triggers to hide certain base objects when viewing a layer. You can set the visibility of each base object by selecting or deselecting the eye icons in the layer's Timeline.

For example, the image below shows a deselected eye icon for Button 1 on the base. Thus, that button won't be visible when viewing the layer during editing nor when the course is previewed or published.

• Note: Permanent objects (for example, shapes and images) that are on the Master layout don't appear in the "Base Layer Objects" list.