The layer blending effect is not preserved in the ArcGIS Pro layout

Description

In ArcGIS Pro, the layer blending effect applied to the map view is not preserved in the layout view as expected, causing a visual rendering discrepancy between the two views, as shown in the images below. The first image shows the basemap layer in the map view, while the second image shows the basemap layer in the layout view.

Cause

• The layer blending does not fully propagate to the layout view in ArcGIS Pro. This is a known issue, logged as a defect. Refer to BUG-000159529 for more information.
• This behavior is by design, as blend modes use the background color for blending. In the layout view, the map frame background color is always used for blending, even if it is set to transparent. For more information, refer to ArcGIS Pro: Add and modify map frames.

Solution or Workaround

Add the Light Gray Canvas basemap layer as the background layer

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project containing the basemap layer with the blend mode.
2. Add the Light Gray Canvas layer from ArcGIS Living Atlas as the background layer.
   1. On the Map tab, in the Layer group, click the Add Data button.
   2. In the Add Data window, click Portal > Living Atlas.
   3. In the Search Living Atlas box, search for and select Light Gray Canvas. Click OK.
3. In the Contents pane, drag the layer to the bottom of the layer list.
4. Refresh the existing layout to view the changes.

Change the background layer color to white

1. Open the ArcGIS Pro project containing the basemap layer with the blend mode.
2. Add a desired layer as the background layer. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Browse to data to add to a map or scene for instructions.
3. In the Contents pane, drag the background layer to the bottom of the layer list.
4. Create a new layout. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Create a blank layout for instructions.
5. Add a map frame to display the map in the layout. Refer to ArcGIS Pro: Insert a map frame for instructions.
6. Change the color of the background layer to white.
   1. In the Contents pane, right-click Map Frame and click Properties.
   2. In the Element pane, on the Options tab, under Map Frame, uncheck the Use map background color check box.
   3. Click the Display tab. Under Background, for Symbol, change the symbol color to Arctic White.