Gradient Display Problems

Question

Gradient Display Problems

So I was doing more work in Photoshop today, and I ran into a problem where gradients are not being displayed properly. In a gradient from (0,0,0) to (255,0,0) there is a thick band were the gradient suddenly looks as though it is completely (255,0,0). Hopefully this makes a little sense...

I am wondering if other people have this problem. I'm on a 17" MBP C2D. If you have the problem, then it should be fairly apparent on the following picture:
http://home.comcast.net/~scott.beatson/gradient_copy.jpg

If it doesn't look like it, it is in fact a smooth gradient (I have confirmed it on several other computers). I've got a reservation at the Apple store in the next couple of days.

Hmm... quite annoying.

17" C2D MacBook Pro/3GB/160GB, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Nov 22, 2006 8:58 PM

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Answer 1

whuggy

Level 1

110 points

Nov 22, 2006 9:22 PM in response to Scott Beatson

Could it be a software thing (some color profile issue)? I'm not an expert on that but when you open the image in Firefox, the gradient looks fine. On Safari and Preview, it shows the problem as you describe.

(Using C2D 17")

Update: On Photoshop (I'm using CS2), go to View > Proof Setup > Select 'Monitor RGB'. Then check View > Proof Colors. It will show the corrected gradient.

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Answer 2

Nov 22, 2006 9:36 PM in response to whuggy

Odd... you are right, thanks for the response... I wonder what's causing it.

I wonder if there is a way to make Safari, Preview, and Pages to display gradients correctly.

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Answer 3

neom

Level 1

45 points

Nov 24, 2006 6:20 AM in response to Scott Beatson

firefox does not support colour profiles, you have to download the image and view it in preview to see what is going on.

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Answer 4

tlbtr

Level 1

0 points

Nov 29, 2006 3:24 AM in response to Scott Beatson

check this thread out
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=3101189

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Answer 5

Zebra1

Level 2

290 points

Nov 29, 2006 11:35 AM in response to tlbtr

I have no banding on mine running that LCD test. In fact, the test shows a virtually homogeneous screen and better than my 1.67 Ghz PB G4's which has a slightly brighter right side than left with all colors.

I consider this issue a defect not an across the board problem.

As for the grain, I don't know what you guys are talking about. I don't see any bothersome artifacts.

I do not like how the viewing angle seems to be narrower than earlier models, but it does not seem like an issue when displaying a full image as a desktop, and it is more limited to a bright white screen color being used as a desktop.

Yes, I do photography, and I calibrate using a Pantone Huey, just in case anyone is wondering how much experience I have.

Maybe there's a batch of defective screens out there, but mine isn't one of them. Just wanted to clear the air on this thread.

Would I want an improved LCD on this machine? Definitely, for viewing angle/illumination.

Is what I have unacceptable?

Not one bit.

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Answer 6

Zebra1

Level 2

290 points

Nov 29, 2006 12:38 PM in response to Scott Beatson

Based on my findings that I posted earlier, I think that if you run the LCD test utility and have no gradient problems, the problem may be a software issue, and we all know how Photoshop is not Universal.

Just a thought.

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Answer 7

Nov 29, 2006 1:17 PM in response to Zebra1

What I've done since I posted last: I took my computer to the local Apple Store and had the geniuses take a look. Of the four that looked, not one had an answer.

I also know for a fact that this issue is not limited to my computer, since after a quick test on multiple floor models, I discovered that the problem seems to exist on the Core 2 Duo laptops, both MacBook and MacBook Pro's. I did not see an issue with the Mac Pro (using 30-inch Apple Cinema display) or on either of the two Core 2 Duo iMacs that I looked at (not sure what size.

Yes, we all do know that Photoshop is not Universal, however, that does NOT explain what Pages 2 (Apple's very own Universal Program) has this problem. Note: I created the gradient as a fill in Pages, I did not just place a jpeg.

So... since the Genius Bar had no answers (though they tried quite hard), I spent about 3 hours on the phone with Apple Technical Support on Saturday. After working my way through the layers, it was eventually tested in Apple's lab, and it should be noted that the issue was seen by several of the product specialists I talked to.

I was told that the issue has been sent to the engineering level, and that I should be receiving a response in about 5 business days. We'll see how that goes.

As a final note, Zebra1, I definitely don't doubt your background in the area, but its not just an issue with my computer or specifically Photoshop. Granted, I have not color synced my screen with anything... But a $3,000 (I got the RAM) MacBook Pro should NOT display gradients worse than a 4.5 year old $1,000 iBook that was never synced in its life.

-Scott

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Answer 8

Zebra1

Level 2

290 points

Nov 29, 2006 2:43 PM in response to Scott Beatson

Have you tried any of a number of LCD tests where the gradients are displayed properly? How would you explain that? If it is a hardware problem it would be everywhere not in some applications.

I think it is a software issue. I don't deny it exists. The cause is what we are debating here.

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Answer 9

Nov 29, 2006 2:55 PM in response to Zebra1

No, I agree completely, it is not solely a hardware problem (though it could be influenced by hardware).

But it seems to be something with more the operating system than an individual program, since there are so many programs effected.

The reason I brought up Apple's Pages is because it is effecting Apple's own graphics software (I did test Pages in the Apple store), so its not just third party stuff.

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Answer 10

Zebra1

Level 2

290 points

Nov 29, 2006 3:36 PM in response to Scott Beatson

Pages is a consumer product and it is not a graphics program. It is a word processor with some design stuff in it.

I'd try importing a gradient into other apps like Aperture, etc., and see what happens. It may be a Mac OS X issue on these particular C2D systems.

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Answer 11

Zebra1

Level 2

290 points

Nov 29, 2006 4:09 PM in response to Zebra1

Something like a Core Image issue?

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Answer 12

Nov 29, 2006 4:23 PM in response to Zebra1

Ok, we seem to be arguing about nothing.

Bottom line: for some reason gradients are not being displayed correctly in a variety of applications, both native, and non-native, Apple made, and third-party made.

Yes, some of these programs are not high-end, but that doesn't mean they should not be able to display gradients correctly.

Maybe there will be an answer from Apple in the next couple of days, and I'll be sure to post it here.

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Answer 13

Zebra1

Level 2

290 points

Nov 29, 2006 4:51 PM in response to Scott Beatson

We are not arguing, we are discussing.

I doubt the quick answer part.

I think It will just come in some sort of update in the future.

Just a quick note: Those LCD testing utilities do not access Core Image or anything sophisticated in my view. They go straight to the hardware. That's why they are having no problems with gradients.

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