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Forum Discussion

Molly m.4's avatar
Molly m.4
Explorer | Level 4
11 years ago
Solved

Why are my PNG backgrounds not transparent when I upload them to Dropbox?

I had several files (mostly logos) that had a transparent background and they all have white solid backgrounds now. I have no clue what happened but it is causing me serious issues. 
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  • tomboates's avatar
    tomboates
    9 years ago

    Dropbox is not editing your files... it is generating a copy of the file that does not include transparency and displaying that as a "preview" of your file to improve load times on their website. 

     

    Dropbox creates the image shown in the center which includes a white background. This means that dragging and dropping this image, or right-clicking and selecting "save image as..." will result in you downloading the Dropbox preview version. HOWEVER, if you use the "Download" button on the top right of the page, you will download the un-edited version of your file.

     

     

    The problem is that while this change may have shaved a fraction of a second off page load time, it seems to have screwed up a lot of people's workflows as a result. I think Dropbox needs to consider changing it back or at least find ways to ensure these common workflows result in the desired outcome.

Rich's avatar
Rich
Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
9 years ago
The previewed image is not the same as the original. It's just a preview, and is optimized as needed for display on the preview page. If you need the original, unaltered file, you need to download it.
jsmusiker's avatar
jsmusiker
New member | Level 2
9 years ago
I understand it's only a preview. But, this was clearly just changed. It showed accurately a month ago I believe. Why make such a drastic change? So now you have to download multiple files just to find the one you need?

Just doesn't make any sense.

It worked, now it doesn't...
  • Jane's avatar
    Jane
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    9 years ago
    Hey @jsmusiker, 
     
    Welcome to the Dropbox Community, I'd be glad to look into that with you!
     
    To further assist you on this request, would you mind sending in some more details on the matter, such as the steps you’re following, so that I reproduce on my end? 
     
    Secondly, is the experience you’re receiving the same as Noah’s or different? 
     
    Looking forward to hearing back from you, 
    JaneA

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