What is the eefect layer yu have... does that say stroke?

That's on a different layer (I use stroke to get rid of "dirt" on the "outline" layer)

I mean to help me find "dirt"

OK, just trying to figure out your technique here. What's with the opacity of your layer being at 42%?

That's complicated it isn't my normal style of shading this effect happening is making if very hard to do anything

because I can do my normal form of shading with out using gradients and the colors were acting weird when they reacted with the grey of my shading layer I had to copy the color layer and multiply it and turn the opacity down and "cut away" where the light hit (which is nothing like my normal shading)

but basicly that has nothing do do with anything


the problem is that weird effect that happens when I use blurs or use gradients

it dose it no matter what the layer effect is

if I could get that fixed I could explain things better

You'll have to explain sometime how to use a layer visible at 42% on multiply. O_o; That's very strange to me...

Well, I thought I'd point out things I noticed were different than when I use my PS but I guess that didn't work. So, I has no idea...

it's easy actually what version of photoshop do you use?

I have used all versions up to the newest one but I stick loyally to PS7. Sadly, I'm coming to realize it's not compatible with Vista so i may have to 'move on up'.

I know you can do the same thing with 7 because that's what I used before I got a "new" computer

I think maybe you misunderstood me. What I meant was I don't understand multiplying a layer AND bring the opacity down to 42%. That seems like a strange technique to me.

well sometimes if the shading layer appears to dark it's just easier to bring down the opacity

or of you are doing a design that will appear in another media where colors are darker (such as making T-Shirts which is something I was going to do with this image) it's nice to bring down the shading layer a bit using the opacity

I mean I can't

Chem wants to know what your resolution is set at and how big the picture is. Numbers, man, we want numbers!

really the numbers have nothing to do with it....as far as I know

but they are

2044x1537 pixels
at 200 pixels an inch

Well, it wasn't what Chem thought then. Bahh..

Ew, that is gross.
I've had that happen to me sometimes, it seems to just be when I'm running low on RAM.

16 bit color mode set in windows or PS ?
just a hunch, whenever I had something like this, oC was to blame

i think RGB/8 is the reason..

try RGB/16 or /32 though

also, Zune theme ftw :F

what the fuck are you talking about? "zune"?

also it still happens in RGB 16

and RGB 32 only lets me use one layer

argh i hate when that happens!!! :[

How do you make it stop?

has to do with histogram gaps i know that much
it's not that bad for me cuz i do stuff at such a high res (usually 600 dpi) that it doesn't matter when i resize
i noticed it happens frequently when using gaussian blur in combination with a gradient field

that's wierd I can't ever even get my pics that big!

Make sure you have 32-bit set in display properties.
Update display drivers and DirectX.

Check the histogram in "Levels" - do you see lots of gaps in the histogram? This indicates banding. You can print the file on a photo printer and if the printout shows banding, then the file is to blame and not your monitor/display settings. This way you can narrow things down.

Add: Filter > Noise > Add Noise (Amount: 2%; Distribution: Gaussian; Monochromatic: Checked) to your layers if you see gaps in the histogram. This might smooth things out.

32 only lets you work with one layer and if I wanted to do that I'd still be using MS Paint

now WHY would I want to add noise when all I want to do is have a smooth blur?

Right-click on desktop, select "Properties" > Settings > Colour quality > Highest (32 bit). That's what I mean. If this lets you only use one layer, there is something wrong with your video card/drivers.

Have you even looked at the histogram? As for the noise, just try it.

the path I had to take was a bit different but thank you

Just to clarify: Did you end up changing to 32 bit in "Display properties." In other words - Changing a setting to increase the colours displayed by your screen?

Yah that was it

I don't know how it changed itself to the lower setting 0.o

Some games/DVD player software do this to increase performance.

You know I recently played a DVD maybe that was it

ITS A CONSPIRACY!

:O DO A TUTORIAL AND STOP MAKIN' ME FEEL BAD!

x3

I've not noticed it before to be honest and I'll sometimes zoom in to 400%. I tend to use the blur tool and not special effects on layers to smooth my color transitions when coloring via Photoshop, especially when creating shades and highlights. I'm still in need of practice with that though so I'm not sure how well I can help.