Gradient Dithering

[Envy_]

Photo version: 2.4.2

I have the entire V2 bundle but didn't test on the other two softwares.

As stated in this thread below, gradients shows as dithered even tho you didn't enable "noise" in the color selection. It's explained by a user that it's a visual only and you can disable in the settings and doesn't effect the exported file.

But in some cases disabling dithering and "noise" still appears and effects the final product.

Steps to reproduce this bug:

• Create a new document (doesn't matter the color profile)
• Create a new Pixel Layer
• Select the Gradient Tool
• Select the entire canvas
• Check if the 'Noise' slider is at 0
• Export File

And funny enough it doesn't happen with a Fill layer:

• Create a Fill Layer
• Select a gradient color
• Drag the tool to fill the entire canvas
• Check if the 'Noise' slider is at 0
• Export File

Also I was trying to add a 'Gradient Overlay' FX to a Fill Layer and it didn't show anything.

Test files in the attachments.

gradient_dither.afphoto

Edited June 14, 2024 by Envy_

[NathanC]

Hey @Envy_,

Thanks for the detailed steps and report,

On 6/14/2024 at 6:27 PM, Envy_ said:

Photo version: 2.4.2

Generally when reporting bugs it's best to be running the latest update available (v2.5.2) as in some situations the issue has been potentially fixed, and perhaps in this situation it's caused a different result.

Perhaps it is down to the app version or a different variable but when I follow your provided steps in v.2.5.2 on a new document vs the document you've provided there are differences in the pixel layer gradient within the app. When I create a pixel layer and add a gradient on top of your original document and compare the pixel layers, yours has dithering (dither gradients disabled in settings) while mine doesn't. Here's what I'm observing on the attached doc following an export to PNG (Standard PNG Preset):

• No dithering on Gradient Pixel layer
• No dithering on Black fill Pixel layer + FX gradient applied
• Dithering present on Fill layer

I've attached my sample documents, could you confirm you're seeing the same?

Gradient Dither comparisons.afphoto

PNG Gradient Dither Comprisons.zip

[Envy_]

@NathanC Sorry for the delayed response.

I have updated my Affinity Bundle to 2.5.2 and the problem still persists on Windows.

Doing the step by step with the Gradient Tool (G) the dithering still appears, but the file you sent doesn't have dithering in any sort of way.

Also the zip you sent have a "__MACOSX" folder, i suppose you are using the MAC version so maybe there is a difference in both OS's.

[NotMyFault]

The only way to stop this forced dithering is to add layer fx, color overlay, set to 0% opacity.

Otherwise the dither will always export, even if „dither gradients“ is disabled in system settings (which affects only rendering in the app).

It has been reported as bug (reply by Serif: by design) and requested as feature numerous times since V1 to allow disabling forced dithering, especially in RGB/16 and RGB/32 where it is even more  superfluous than RGB/8

[STRANGE MAKERY]

Bumping this thread! Spent a few hours playing around and this fixed the issue using the suggested workaround. Will look for the feature request list so we can get dither controls in the export windows - very frustrating UX here. Thanks NathanC for the extremely thorough explanation and fix.

Edited December 4, 2024 by STRANGE MAKERY

[Veyard]

On 6/20/2024 at 5:31 PM, NotMyFault said:

The only way to stop this forced dithering is to add layer fx, color overlay, set to 0% opacity.

Otherwise the dither will always export, even if „dither gradients“ is disabled in system settings (which affects only rendering in the app).

It has been reported as bug (reply by Serif: by design) and requested as feature numerous times since V1 to allow disabling forced dithering, especially in RGB/16 and RGB/32 where it is even more  superfluous than RGB/8

Thank you so much! This fixes the horrible dithering (noise) applied to gradients.

Devs please fix this. ❤️