Background transparency is not supported for surf plots

Whereas the

close all
[X,Y] = meshgrid(1:0.5:10,1:20);
x=[0 10];y=2*x; 
hf1=figure;plot(x,y);set(gca, 'color', 'none')
exportgraphics(hf1,'test2d.pdf','BackgroundColor','none')
Z = sin(X) + cos(Y);hf2=figure;surf(X,Y,Z);
set(gca, 'color', 'none');
exportgraphics(hf2,'test3d.pdf','BackgroundColor','none');
hf3=figure;[X,Y] = meshgrid(-8:.5:8);R = sqrt(X.^2 + Y.^2) + eps;
Z = sin(R)./R;C = X.*Y;mesh(X,Y,Z,C)
set(gca, 'color', 'none');
exportgraphics(hf3,'test3d.pdf','BackgroundColor','none');

I do get indeed transparent figures, but wih the folloing arning

Warning: Background transparency is not supported; using white instead 

However, once I insert the pdf in my latex file, the background is white.

WIll appreciate any help.

[Victor Saouma]

Great, thanks, victor

Answer 1

[Jaswanth]

Hi Victor,

To address the issue of exporting figures to .pdf files from MATLAB while ensuring a transparent background, it's necessary to include a Name-Value Argument, ContentType, as vector in your calls to the exportgraphics function.

Kindly refer to the modified code snippet below, where ContentType has been added for clarity.

exportgraphics(hf3,'test3d_mesh.pdf','BackgroundColor','none','ContentType','vector');

Please go through the following MathWorks documentations to learn more about Name-Value Arguments in exportgraphics function mentioned above.

1. ContentType: https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/exportgraphics.html#mw_5bdc680e-deea-429e-b58e-24e3de1083f7:~:text=DPI%20image%20file.-,ContentType
2. BackgroundColor: https://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/exportgraphics.html#mw_5bdc680e-deea-429e-b58e-24e3de1083f7:~:text=uint32%20%7C%20uint64-,BackgroundColor

I hope the information provided above is helpful in accomplishing your task.