Banding on exported PNG (XP5)

[stratocast]

Here's something I came across recently. I've been away from the forum for a bit, so apologies if it has been covered before.

I was making a basic gradient PNG image for a web page background in Xtreme Pro 5 and the exported result had banding left and bottom. A bitmap copy made in Xtreme also had the banding. This appears only to happen with gradients.

I switched to Xtreme Pro 4 and it exported perfectly.

Anyone else seen this?

(Sorry about the quality of the attachment, it's a GIF)

[haakoo]

http://talkgraphics.com/showthread.p...574#post330574

[gwpriester]

Good to see you Bob.

Yes, it is a bit of a challenge.

Make sure your bitmap is even pixels and is placed on the page in even pixels.

Place your gradient over a darker color or a larger rectangle that contains the same gradient fill.

If you have applied any Live Effects, create a rectangle to the exact size, place it under the gradient fill and Apply Clip View. Even though Xtreme shows the size in exact pixels, may Live Effects add one or two pixels to the image.

[steve.ledger]

Yes I've come across and solved this one too.
One other tip. Follow Gary's suggestion first, then drop the quality slider down to 'Normal' (if it isn't already).
Remember that Xtreme 4 does not have the extra anti-aliasing quality level that Xtreme 5 does, which in some cases is a nuisance more than a help.

[stratocast]

Thanks folks.

I was trying to drag myself into the 21st century by using a PNG.

I've been using Xara since Pontius was a pilot and I'd covered all the usual supects, pixel size and placement etc. and thought it must be me and my lack of understanding of this new, mysterious, yet oddly compelling, format.

Although Gary, I didn't consider the most basic trick of a background rectangle with the same gradient. Still kicking myself for that one.

That's what I get for not following the forum.

@Gary - Thanks, it's good to be back.