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

[Molly m.4]

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. 

[ShelleyW]

I do have dropbox installed on my mac but just "unsynced" my clipart to free up space.

Can I do what you're suggesting without having the files using space on my mac? 

[Mark]

Not unless you are a Business user with SmartSync.

[ShelleyW]

I am!  🙂

[NoahB]

I too am having a similar issue. While on my computer, the backgrounds of the png files I created through mac powerpoint are transparent. When I upload them to google drive or other image hosting websites, the background remains transparent, but when I upload them to dropbox, the background turns white.  Below is an example of an image before I uploaded it to dropbox and after I re-downloaded it from dropbox (The problem begins as soon as I upload it, apparent from the background appearing white on all dropbox-generated image links, displays, etc.). 

If it is not dropbox causing the problem, what else do you think it could be?

[londonuser]

I have just realised the same problem!

Checked many scenarios and it happens only inside Dropbox.

Before uploading, and after I download the same file from Dropbox, it has a transparent background as intended.

However, while in Dropbox it is always showing up ith white background, both in the Dropbox Preview and if I open a shared Dropbox link with another application such as Chrome Browser. 

[jsmusiker]

Same for me. It's obviously the Preview in Dropbox. But I would think the Preview is just as important as the downloaded image, right? Any answers?

[Rich]

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]

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]

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

[rogerpenna]

You people may say all you want that DropBox won´t edit the files, but it's happening anyway. The DropBox visualizer changes the image to a PNG without transparency (24 bits?) and if you download THAT image, it saves as a PNG with white background.


If you download the file directly from the folder, it will save alright, with transparent background.

What people are doing and resulting in a problem is visualizing the image and then saving it.

It's clear that if you visualize the image inside DropBox and then save it and it lost the transparent background, that DropBox IS INDEED editing the file somehow, even if you blame the visualizer.