This syntax is deprecated, you must add <<#navy>> at the end of the line, after the ';' transparent color Backgroundcolor? skinparam backgroundColor silver skinparam cloudBackgroundColor transparent skinparam backgroundColor transparent skinparam databaseBackgroundColor yellow] skinparam backgroundColor transparent skinparam nodeBackgroundColor transparent :BackgroundColor is silver skinparam cloudBackgroundColor transparent skinparam cloudBackgroundColor transparent skinparam databaseBackgroundColor yellow] Group is transparent :Group node should not be transparent skinparam databaseBackgroundColor yellow] that is OK (as in v1.2020.10 , where Group node is white) :Expect if explicilty declare transparent (here we declare node transparent) (on v1.2020.11 beware of pale line on the bottom of node) (on v1.2020.11 beware of pale line on the bottom of node)