[SOLVED] Resizing 'Tools' in Photoshop CS4

[Photographer]

Hi,

I recently installed CS4 and first thing I noticed was that when I resize any tools such as Brush, Healing, Clone Stamp..etc the tool starts losing it's shape 'O' once the tool size goes over 500px or 600px. I can not understand why this is happening. I never had this issue with CS3. Has anyone experienced this annoying problem? Could you guys please help?

Thanks..

[Mister2]

Hi Photographer,

I'm still finding my way round CS4 but I can't reproduce your problem, even up to the 2500px maximum size.
When you say the tool starts losing it's shape, does the outline become 'uncircular' (so to speak), break up, disappear?

Two things that may be of interest, though I'm sure you are aware of them:
1. A lot of my image work is done at high levels of zoom. A 500px brush goes outside the viewing area and so the boundary becomes invisible
2. On a light background the tool boundary is dark, on a dark background it is light. On a 50% grey background it flickers between the two and so gives the impression of 'breaking up'.

Any chance of a screenshot?

[Photographer]

Hi Mister2,

Yes, the outline becomes uncircular. The shape is there until I increase it to 500px and above, then It becomes like a bent line. I tried to arrange a screen shot but for some reason it doesn't show it on the screenshot. Maybe the only way I can show it is to take a photo and post it. Another way I can show this to you is to draw it in Microsoft Word (File attached).
I know what you mean by high zoom, this happens whether in low or high zoom, for examply 25% or 400%. Hope the attachment can explain better

Thanks

[Mister2]

I've never come across anything like that before.
I have an early start for work this morning but I'll check into it when I get back - this one's got me intrigued!

[Mister2]

It seems this can be a problem with some video cards.
A couple of things you can try:

1. Right click a blank area on your Desktop and select Properties, Settings, Advanced, Troubleshoot. Move the Hardware Acceleration slider one or two clicks to the left to lower the acceleration. Click Apply, OK, OK.

2. Check you have the latest video drivers installed. Right click My Computer and select Properties. On the Hardware tab click Device Manager. Click the '+' sign next to Display Adaptors. Right click on the name of your video card and select properties. On the Driver tab click Update Driver and allow Windows to search the internet for updated drivers.

Hopefully the first suggestion will sort the problem out - it's less work than the second one

[Photographer]

Hi Mister2,

You are a genius ..I really don't know how to thank you for your help. I did the first step as you advised and it did work . Thank you very very much.
I realised now that I have changed the hardware acceleration when I was playing games, and I totally forgot to change it back.

Once again...thanks a lot

[Mister2]

You're most welcome!
I didn't think it was a particularly intuitive adjustment, but then graphics cards can do some very strange things.

Have fun exploring CS4 some more!