One file shows blurry, exact copy shows normal

V
Posted By
v6v6v6
Feb 20, 2009
Views
585
Replies
17
Status
Closed
Here’s a strange one… I opened a file this morning and noticed it’s kinda blurry–I thought my monitor had crapped out on me or something. But then I created a new file and everything seemed to display normally. So I decided to select everything from that first file and dragged into a new file. It turned out normal–no blurriness.

The difference is obvious as I swap between the tabs. Here’s a screenshot: < http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k156/darthsauce/mac/blurry .gif>

Edit: Ok, I think I figured it out… I calibrated my monitor while that first file was open. I just reopened the file and everything’s back to normal. Can someone confirm this?

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AS
Ann_Shelbourne
Feb 21, 2009
The top image is indeed blurry — the bottom one is sharp.
NK
Neil_Keller
Feb 21, 2009
Not sure what monitor calibration has to do with blurriness.

Neil
R
Ram
Feb 21, 2009
Not sure what monitor calibration has to do with blurriness.

Nothing.

However, I don’t see blurriness at all. What I see is a faded, as if lower opacity, top image. That could indeed be caused by a very bad, possibly corrupted monitor profile, and that could be cured by an accurately calibrated monitor profile.
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v6v6v6
Feb 21, 2009
Not sure what monitor calibration has to do with blurriness.

Yeah, I’m not sure myself which is why I was asking. Here’s what I do know: – I opened a Photoshop file
– I calibrated my monitor with that file and Photoshop open – The file became blurry
– I drag-n-dropped the layers from that file into a new file – The 2nd file showed everything as sharp
– I’d switch back and forth between the files (via their tabs) and I could see a difference between the two

That’s why I thought the monitor calibration caused the blurriness.

Nothing. However, I don’t see blurriness at all. What I see is a faded, as if lower opacity, top image. That could indeed be caused by a very bad, possibly corrupted monitor profile, and that could be cured by an accurately calibrated monitor profile.

Ramon, in general terms, I think it definitely leans more towards "blurry" than either "faded" or "lower opacity". Here’s another example with the images blown up:

< http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k156/darthsauce/mac/blurry _blur_opac.gif>

But yes, that is the conclusion I came to, as well.
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Buko
Feb 22, 2009
– I opened a Photoshop file – I calibrated my monitor with that file and Photoshop open

how are you calibrating your monitor and why do you feel that you need Photoshop open to calibrate it.
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v6v6v6
Feb 22, 2009
how are you calibrating your monitor and why do you feel that you need Photoshop open to calibrate it.

I calibrated the external monitor using Apple’s Display Preferences. I have absolutely no need for Photoshop to be open in order to calibrate it. It just happened to be open when I thought to run the calibration.
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Buko
Feb 22, 2009
You really need a hardware calibrator if you have an LCD there is not a chance in hell you are accurate if you are using eyeball calibration.

I recommend the X-Rite EyeOne 2.

there are other cheaper calibrators
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PECourtejoie
Feb 22, 2009
No mention of the version of the OS, of Photoshop (it is CS4, since it has tabs) The screenshot does not show the zoom ratio of the images…
R
Ram
Feb 22, 2009
The posted images are totally devoid of context and are inconclusive.
NK
Neil_Keller
Feb 22, 2009
In addition to EyeOne2, you can use Spyder3. But hardware is the only accurate and consistent way to calibrate your monitor. Such calibration depends upon its own screen interface.

Neil
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v6v6v6
Feb 22, 2009
Buko and Neil, thanks for the hardware calibration suggestion. I’ll definitely look into it.

No mention of the version of the OS, of Photoshop (it is CS4, since it has tabs)
The screenshot does not show the zoom ratio of the images…

Hey PECourtejoie, the OS is v10.5.6 and the image is being shown at a 200% zoom ratio. Does this help?

The posted images are totally devoid of context and are inconclusive.

What sort of context do you feel you need to make a determination? I’ll see if I can provide that for you.
R
Ram
Feb 22, 2009
What sort of context do you feel you need to make a determination?

Any context.

A screen shot of the entire screen at 100% would be a great start. As posted, I have no idea what it is the images show. :/
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v6v6v6
Feb 22, 2009
Any context.

A screen shot of the entire screen at 100% would be a great start. As posted, I have no idea what it is the images show.

Oh I see, I’m sorry but I’m not able to reveal any more of the actual content. The image posted in the original post ( http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k156/darthsauce/mac/blurry .gif) is at least a partial screenshot from each tab at 100%. I can certainly go back and try reproducing the problem with a generic image.

(BTW, you and others have confirmed my suspicions that it was an issue of calibration. I believe now we’re discussing whether the screenshot from the first tab is considered "blurry" or "faded/lower opacity".)
NK
Neil_Keller
Feb 23, 2009
v,

I calibrated my monitor with that file and Photoshop open – The file became blurry

If normal calibration distorts your screen image, I’d say you either have a problem with your monitor or with your video card.

Neil
NK
Neil_Keller
Feb 23, 2009
v,

I calibrated my monitor with that file and Photoshop open – The file became blurry

If normal calibration distorts your screen image, I’d say you either have a problem with your monitor or with your video card. I’ve seen a few monitors lose their visual integrity ("bloom", lose contrast, soften or blur) when their controls are pushed to their limits.

Neil
V
v6v6v6
Feb 23, 2009
If normal calibration distorts your screen image, I’d say you either have a problem with your monitor or with your video card.

Thanks Neil. The thing is that I copied all the content directly from that first blurry file and pasted it into a new file which turned out fine. So I had 2 files open at the same time, one "blurry" and the other normal. That leads me to believe it’s probably not a problem with the monitor, but rather the fact that I was calibrating with the file open. But I can definitely try to reproduce this with another monitor, too.
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v6v6v6
Feb 23, 2009
I can certainly go back and try reproducing the problem with a generic image.

Well, I tried my best but it seems I’m unable to reproduce the problem. And that’s a good thing. 🙂 We’ll have to save our "blurry" or "faded/lower opacity" discussion for next time.

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