decade+ old issue with banding in transparency DP7.1.2

[tjc]

been a bit of discussion about this

as I recall the key thing is that in vector the gradient has to be in bands and that in xara the maximum number of bands you can have is 256 [a technical limitation]

Yeah it literally ruins work in 99.9% of scenarios though. It looks like a defect or un-diffused low-bit bitmaps. In most cases I can't even fix it in PS CS5 using blur.

[handrawn]

yes

Fortunately I can get away with using multiple single graduated transparencies - I rarely use a graduated fill these days - but I can see that not being practical in a whole load of cases....

[Soquili]

Very often the appearance of banding is due to the users monitor rather than the video card or how a Xara application functions with linear fills or transparencies.

Viewing the attached image above on all six of my machines there is no noticeable banding.

[mwenz]

Technically I think the bands are 255 unique colors.

Banding in bitmap and vector gradients *in print* and somehwat on-screen has been always an issue no matter the software. When we absolutely had to do full-page gradients for a design, we would often export a slightly less tinted version out to PhotoShop and create a couple layers. Each of the top layers had lessening transparency then the one below it and we often would do a light Gaussian blur on those layers.

Also, export out higher res whenever possible. LPI export would be about 2.8 times the screen frequency of the print device.

Another also. You can typically get better results in adding other color points along the gradient and slightly alter the color values at those points. This visually creates an extremely close version to a single-color gradient, but often minimizes the banding, especially in the darker regions.

Take care, Mike

[handrawn]

yes it can be a real issue in print [sigh]

[Soquili]

One thing to consider when you percieve banding. Are you using incandescent or florescent lights? Florescent lights 'flicker' at the mains frequency, 60Hz here in the US. If your monitor is using a lower frequency you may see banding due to the type of light in the room. Using the highest refresh frequency your monitor can safely support is always the best option.

[tjc]

One thing to consider when you percieve banding. Are you using incandescent or florescent lights? Florescent lights 'flicker' at the mains frequency, 60Hz here in the US. If your monitor is using a lower frequency you may see banding due to the type of light in the room. Using the highest refresh frequency your monitor can safely support is always the best option.

Too bad the graphics in most cases will be viewed on more than the creators hardware..

CS5 does a blend perfectly though as does other software.

Another thing exclusive to xara that is just as annoying, is border when trying to make fluid textures. I know most requests here are shunned and ignored, but these two are very significant for all type of users.

[handrawn]

CS5 does a blend perfectly

maybe because raster is a lot better at this than vector - and CS5 costs more too

Another thing exclusive to xara that is just as annoying, is border when trying to make fluid textures

meaning what exactly?

I know most requests here are shunned and ignored

I doubt that
Lack of implementation does not mean lack of consideration

[mwenz]

Too bad the graphics in most cases will be viewed on more than the creators hardware..

CS5 does a blend perfectly though as does other software.

Another thing exclusive to xara that is just as annoying, is border when trying to make fluid textures. I know most requests here are shunned and ignored, but these two are very significant for all type of users.

PhotoShop uses 16-bit gradients. However, typical RIPs do not. Neither does Illy nor ID, they are 8-bit gradients as is the PDF spec (which itself is a screen RIP).

If you google banding for PS, ID, Illy, you will find a whole lotta issues. Probably the most respect person from Adobe, Dov Isaacs, often is active on the Adobe forums. Take a quick read through his comments in this thread:
http://forums.adobe.com/message/3440531

As he points out as well, single color gradients are often banded far worse that multi-color ones. They are tricky to get through the print process really well. Thank goodness that in print (think inks spreading slightly) using CMYK and altering color values as mentioned above to slightly alter the color curve lessens or eliminates the banding.

Take care, Mike