Forum Discussion
Overlapping States
I've been noticing a randomly occurring, but frequent, issue since the newest update. On some objects, the Normal/Original state will overlap with any other state (Hover, Visited, custom states, etc.)
So when you hover over a button, the text might change color, or an image might change, but the original text or original image can still be seen underneath.
Here is a quick example, a side by side screenshot from a published example:
On the Hover state, the icon is changed so that the bars on the chart sit a little higher when hovered over, though you can still see the original icon being used underneath when this happens. Additionally, you can see the stroke thickness looks more intensified as the images are overlapping. If I did this with a lighter text color on the hover state, and made it bold, you could still see bits of the original text peeking out from behind. I've tried testing this with .PNG, .SVG, .GIF, and other transparent files, but it happens with Storyline assets as well.
Here's another example using an icon built into Storyline. On Hover, the icon should just rotate 90 degrees, however, when in Preview or Published mode - the icon overlaps, and instead of having horizontal lines, we're left with a waffle/grid. Each example was made using a new Storyline file.
What's strange (or stranger) is that I can make a new state, set it to hover, delete all the objects on that new state, copy and paste in place the original assets used, and then swap the icon - and it will still happen.
The only workaround I have is to paste in place the base of the button (in this case the white rounded rectangle) two or three times, depending on any shape effects (e.g. drop shadows), which adding a bunch of objects to one state doesn't always yield the smoothest results once published. Additionally, in some circumstances, doing this causes a flicker effect on the hover state where the new button base flashes in before the rest of the other objects do, or the drop shadow will flicker when hovered over.
Fixes? Workarounds? Is this a known issue that needs to be patched?
107 Replies
The old trick of cutting and repasting into the state does not seem to fix this anymore. In my case I have multiple custom graphics as buttons, that have selected states that need text a different color so as to meet color contrast needs for accessibility. Since these are a button set using built in states, it fails. So it needs to be handled with multiple triggers and custom states in order to make it work. This has been a bug since Storyline came out, would be great if this was put higher up on the fix list. Thanks.
Thank you for sharing what you're experiencing regarding object states in Storyline, JeffForrer.
I understand how this can be a pain point for your development work. We're still gathering votes for this request so our product team can work on modifications.
We'll update this discussion once there are changes that might help, and you'll be among the first to know!
Hi Eric. Not shooting the messenger here but I don't understand why you're gathering votes when this is clearly a bug - not a feature enhancement!
I get that the developer's priorities are likely on all the AI enhancements, but this bug affects a key area of our design!
Please get this one fixed...
"Gathering votes..."
Jesus Christ. Abysmal.
This thread started 3 years ago. And this is not the only thread. Plenty of time to fix the problem. "Gathering votes"? My voice is very tired.
Just FYI - I currently have an open ticket with Articulate Support that I believe has been escalated to it's highest after working on a course for one month and having my states completely break my timeline, wasting hours of my work.
I have specifically provided them this ticket to reference with this issue. I am praying with every fiber of my being that this issues sees its end soon. I cannot express my frustration with the amount of time I've spent redoing work enough.
Storyline 360x64 on Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.3194 on a new Lenovo P1.
Is there any solution to this? I'm using images+text as buttons with a disabled and hover state.
The hover state pops up, brightens, and gets a shadow.
The disabled state is darkened and has a different text color.
In both cases the "normal" state shows through, giving the darker text in the disabled state a white halo, and leaving a duplicate of the text/image too low in the hover state.
I'm also trying to do a similar affect with a gradient that changes color (no transition set), but the text and Normal gradient show through.
NormalHover in editorHover in Preview, blue tinge to pinkHover in preview with pop-up effectI'll also add that it took me almost an hour to post this because the website kept deleting my progress and few minutes, even after clearing cookies.
We feel your pain Andrew! Like others have suggested, you can try deleting the NORMAL state and create your own (different named) normal state, which has helped some of us avoid the overlaps, but you need to have triggers set up for anything that's not responding as it normally would.
I, too, hope this will get fixed soon!
Thank you!
How DO I delete the Normal state? It doesn't look like I can either rename or delete them.
Very happy to report that after talking with Articulate Support about another issue and sliding in this one, including a link to this topic, they have confirmed to me this morning that this is officially logged as a software bug and they are working on it. There is no ETA since they mentioned some things take longer to work out than others, but we may get to close this case sometime soon. Big thanks to Articulate Support for being receptive and working through this, constantly following up, and working on it as diligently as they are!
Hi MattBotelho,
Thanks so much for sharing an update with folks in this thread! We'll be sure to share any updates in the future, so all are in the loop!
We appreciate your kind words about our team. We're happy to help!
Feel free to reach out in the community with any future questions or discoveries!
