Photos get blurred after export for web (v2)

[Lyhrus]

Today I found that photos in Affinity Photo V2 get blurred after exporting them for web. I found several topics at different places here in the forum, but I did not find a solution or a bug fix. I tried these:

• I switched on/off hardware acceleration - nothing changed
• In Snapping option I enabled snapping and forced pixel alignment on and off - nothing changed
• I tried it on a older MacBook Pro Retina with OS BigSur as well as on a new MacBook Pro with OS Ventura – the bug appears on both
• I loaded the original files via copy&paste as well as via Place... – no difference
• Did not matter if I minimized the original photo
  • just in the export window
  • or before loading it into the export window

I attached a screenshot showing an original file in Photo V2 and in the export window. Already there we see the loss of sharpness. It remains after doing the export.

As for web designers this is a very crucial function, I really would appreciate an immediate bug fix or some workaround. Any advice, suggestions?

Would be grateful. Lyhrus.

EDIT: IMPORTANT – The bug appears regardless of the adjusted reduction or which image type you choose. 

 

Edited March 2, 2023 by Lyhrus
I forgot an important information

[NotMyFault]

You need to experiment a bit with different resample methods. The default „bilinear“ will cause some artifacts at edges when reducing bitmap layers with sharp edges. i find „bicubic“ result acceptable, it will generate softer edges / color transitions.

next, use a zoom level of 100% or higher when inspecting fine details. 85% will create additional artifacts during preview.

The better way would be to use a vector format like SVG, this avoids the problem of double-resampling at different DPI.

Edited March 2, 2023 by NotMyFault
Added comments from other thread

[Lyhrus]

48 minutes ago, NotMyFault said:

You need to experiment a bit with different resample methods. The default „bilinear“ will cause some artifacts at edges when reducing bitmap layers with sharp edges. i find „bicubic“ result acceptable, it will generate softer edges / color transitions.

I tried this and have to admit, that the results using 'bicubic' are remarkable better. So, I tend to say that this might have been the problem (a certain feeling of being unsatisfied remains though)

51 minutes ago, NotMyFault said:

next, use a zoom level of 100% or higher when inspecting fine details. 85% will create additional artifacts during preview.

Where do you adjust the zoom level of the export window?

52 minutes ago, NotMyFault said:

The better way would be to use a vector format like SVG, this avoids the problem of double-resampling at different DPI.

You're right ... but mostly, photos are not SVG 😉 ... I used the Affinity logo above just for showing the problem without using private photos here in the forum, but I experienced the problem using photographs.

[NotMyFault]

40 minutes ago, Lyhrus said:

Where do you adjust the zoom level of the export window?

Depends on OS.

The regular shortkeys like cmd-1 for 100% should work.