Photoshop Gradient issues

[tmt0009]

Hello All,

I've seen this in a few other forum posts but couldn't really figure it out.  And instead of commenting on something a couple of years old I figured I'd start my own forum thread.

I'm running into this gradient issue.  I figured it could be the 8-bit vs 16 vs 32-bit stuff but that doesn't really fix it.  I'm on a Mid-2014 Macbook Pro Retina that's provided through work.  It has a GT 750M gpu with the 2.5 Ghz intel i7.  I'm guessing it could be a graphics issue but I have no idea why it's doing this.

I'm running into the issue of having a gradient create rings within the gradient.  I read through some of the other forum posts and tried switching between 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit to see if that fixed it but, with new files, it's still occuring.  Any advice?  This occurs with both very wide gradients and large brushes with 0% hardness.  It's extremely noticeable in the second image - with multiple layers of overlapping color.

Thanks,

T.

[davescm]

Hi

No problem with starting a new post - it is often better than resurrecting a very old one .

What you are seeing is banding due to the limited steps between brightness levels at 8 bit. It is resolved by working at a higher bit depth (i.e. 16 bit) however even if you switch your image to 16 bit mode (or 32bit) your display will still be working at 8 bit (there are  few  high end monitors that work at 10 bit). So switching to 16 bit mode will take the banding out of your file - but not out of your screenview.

If you are producing files that will be viewed on normal monitors (i.e viewed in 8 bit) work in 16 bit for the image and add just a little noise - which will help hide the banding.

Dave

[Barbara Ash · Accepted solution]

Try this workaround on your gradient.

After you put a gradient on your layer, choose Layer > New Fill Layer Gradient. Use the same gradient but make it a little larger, like around 120% or so. Then change the layer mode to Color and lower the opacity to taste.

Before and after