One file shows blurry, exact copy shows normal

[v6v...@adobeforums.com]

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?

[Ann_She...@adobeforums.com]

The top image is indeed blurry — the bottom one is sharp.

[Neil_...@adobeforums.com]

Not sure what monitor calibration has to do with blurriness.

Neil

[Ramón_G_Castañeda@adobeforums.com]

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.

[v6v...@adobeforums.com]

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.

[Buko]

- 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.

[v6v...@adobeforums.com]

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.

[Buko]

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

[PECour...@adobeforums.com]

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...

[Ramón_G_Castañeda@adobeforums.com]

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

[Neil_...@adobeforums.com]

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

[v6v...@adobeforums.com]

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.

[Ramón_G_Castañeda@adobeforums.com]

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. :/

[v6v...@adobeforums.com]

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".)

[Neil_...@adobeforums.com]

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

[Neil_...@adobeforums.com]

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

[v6v...@adobeforums.com]

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.

[v6v...@adobeforums.com]

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.