Photo 2.4 Screen glitches/abnormalities

[rcsilber]

I am bewildered and am now at my wits end... maybe someone here can help shed some light on this issue. 

Using Photo, all was well until I updated to 2.4. Since the update I am experiencing significant screen glitches, which I can replicate 100% of the time. It does not matter if I create a new document, open an existing Affinity document, or a tiff. When opened, and the View (H) tool is selected by default, moving the tool over the image causes the screen to go black, then starts drawing a pixelated path around the screen as I move the mouse. Double clicking will sometimes restore the screen but only temporarily. Clicking V for the Move tool, corrects that issue, but the problem can reoccur at random.

Troubleshooting:

1. I deleted Photo, then downloaded a fresh dng file from the Affinity server. No difference. 
2. I updated the firmware on my BenQ monitor. No difference. 
3. Made certain macOS Sonoma  
   is up-to-date.
4. Experimented with different settings in the Performance preferences for Display and Hardware acceleration. No difference. 

Curiosities: 

1. I still have Photo v1 and it operates correctly. No glitches.
2. I have Photo 2 Beta 2.4.0, and it operates correctly. Since it does, I felt it safe to update Photo.
3. All my other applications operate properly.
4. I attempted to do a screen recording to demonstrate this, but when I start the screen recording, the problem does not appear. As a result, I took a video with my iPhone to demonstrate the problem

Operating Enviornement

1. Mac Studio M2 Max 32 GB macOS Sonoma 14.3.1
2. BenQ SW272Q monitor v7 firmware

Suggestions?

1. Is it possible that either/or Photo v1 and/or Photo 2 Beta are interfering? 
2. As it stands now, I can do my editing in Photo 2 Beta, but this issue needs to be resolved.

Thanks in advance for insights or helpful advice.

Robert

[Ron P.]

Photo 2.4 Beta, and Photo 2.4 Retail are the same. They are both 2.4.0.2301. That said, in the Retail version, there is a bug affecting display of RAW files. I don't know if the bug could also be causing your issue. To test this, go to Preferences>Performance, and disable Hardware Acceleration. Restart Photo and see if the problem persists.

[rcsilber]

Thanks Ron for your informative reply. Apparently the bug affects all files, at least in my case. I did disable Hardware Acceleration, with a restart, and the problem persists.

[Ron P.]

I'm not a Mac user so not familiar with them. Just done a quick look up on your M2 Mac Studio, little thing

First I failed to answer your question if V1 or the Beta could be interfering. No, I don't think so. V1 used the exe installer. Serif changed to using the sandboxed method of MSIX/MSI installers. The Betas and Release/Retail versions are completely separate apps/programs. However brushes, assets are linked together, ie; you don't have to re-download and install. Could that be a problem? I don't really know. I haven't seen any issues since V2.0, where there would be double brushes, assets listed.

Since you're not using anything, just moving your mouse across the view window, could there be a problem with your mouse? You using Bluetooth or wireless for your mouse?

I see you use a Wacom tablet. Do you get the same problem if you use it in lieu of the mouse? Is the Wacom wireless or wired? Is it constantly connected? If so have you tried disconnecting it and see if the issue is still there?

Could you provide a screen shot of your Performance settings? (Settings>Performance)

You might also try resetting the app. I think it's the same for Macs as for Windows. Hold down the Control key while launching AP. The Clear User Data window will appear in front of the splash screen. By default the top 3 are selected. Just press Clear at the bottom right. AP will continue to launch. See if that corrects the problem.

Aside from those, I'm at a loss. Have to wait and see what Serif's staff says about it.

[rcsilber]

Ron,

So, at this point, the gold star ✴️ seems to go to you. I had already tried a stand-by wired keyboard/mouse combo to no avail. My Wacom stays off when not in use, and using it did not give improved results.

Performing an app reset did however (holding down Control key while restarting the app) did work! Shame on me... I should have thought of this in my earlier trouble-shooting.

Maybe this will help another soul if one experiences what I did.

Thanks for your knowledgable insight Ron.

[Ron P.]

Your Welcome