Problem creating linear fill

**aurelias** · 31 August 2011, 07:38 AM

I have tried to create a linear fill and it looks fine in Xara Designer, but after exporting the image as a jpeg, the gradation does not look smooth at all, it looks rather terrible. It does not look as smooth and as seemless as work I have seen which was created using software such as Photoshop. Am I doing something wrong?

**handrawn** · 31 August 2011, 07:50 AM

jpeg is a file format for photographs - it does not always handle gradients well, especially if there is red or text in the image

you could try png format instead - making sure you have colour depth set at 'true colour'

if you really do need jpeg for some reason, xara has 75% compression set as default - take the compression out [set to 100%] that may help

finally if you are printing, export at a higher resolution than the default 96dpi - say 300dpi

**angelize** · 31 August 2011, 07:54 AM

Export your gradient fill as a png. Jpeg is best for photos, png is best for graphics.

Edit: beaten to the punch!

**ODdOnLifeItself** · 31 August 2011, 10:52 AM

Re: "...beaten to the punch!"

Better than being punched to the beat. [Clockwork Orange]

James

**handrawn** · 31 August 2011, 11:07 AM

you Burgess from the topic ....

**mwenz** · 31 August 2011, 01:15 PM

Just a note. If going to print and the exported image is to be used in a layout application, export as a CMYK Tiff.

Take care, Mike

**Soquili** · 31 August 2011, 05:47 PM

Aurelias can you attach your jpeg to a post? Easier to 'guess' what the problem may be if we can see it.

**aurelias** · 06 September 2011, 04:57 PM

Thanks everyone for the responses. Exporting as a jpeg with compression set to 100% was an improvement, but still not satisfactory. Exporting as a PNG with 'true colour + Alpha' selected did the trick. It is still not perfect, but much better than before.

**aurelias** · 06 September 2011, 05:17 PM

Hi Soquili,
I had taken a wallpaper image I got from a website (a Tron motorcycle), cropped it and wanted to add a faint purplish gradient fill at the top of the image to match the gradient fill at the bottom of the image. I have attached the file, but looking at it in daylight, I can barely even see the fill I added, let alone the gradient (it should be viewed at night or in a very dark room). I have also added an older image I created some time ago which has the same problem (but worse). The problem should be easily seen in the image with the Spitfire on the gradient fill background.