Why do my gradients looks so bad? [Blend-WPF]

[JoeSixpack]

I'm using Blend 2 [sp1] to create small WPF apps. Today I noticed that when I attempt a linear gradient using colors that are not so different, I don't get a smooth gradient. Instead, I get noticeable 'steps' in the transition.

For instance a black to white linear gradient looks great, but a black to dark gray looks like 16bit.

[kirupa]

Yikes - they do look odd! I did a quick search and came across this article: http://blog.nukeation.com/post/Design-Tip-for-Developers---Proper-ColorAlpha-Values-in-Gradients.aspx

Does that help?

Thanks,
Kirupa :)

[JoeSixpack]

Thanks but unfortunately I couldn't find any solutions there (unless I missed something). Ive tried a few other things too, but so far I'm still just getting really lame gradients. This is going to be a big problem since I just finished a rather complex UI design for my next project and all of it was based on dark gradients.

What surprises me (aside from the gradients not working) is that I have yet to find anyone else mentioning it online.

[kirupa]

Let me ask a few people who may know why this is so. I'll reply back once I hear a response :)

[nukeation]

The banding problem you see is not really Blend, it is the display system itself. Not yours. Even the 32-bit color system is limited to 256 levels of Black. So the closer your two shades/nodes are in the white-to-black spectrum, the more banding you will see.

This same issue exists in ANY graphics software out there.

Not exactly a solution, but I hope this information helps.

- Dax

[mightymike]

I had the same problem. 32 bit colour is exactly the key. Go to your graphic settings and make sure 32 bit (highest) is selected.