graphics

Apple releases iMac Graphics firmware update 2.0

Apple has released a firmware update for iMac systems that addresses problems where iMacs have been hanging during start-up or when waking from sleep. Unfortunately Apple has not specified which specific iMac models are eligible for this update. The contents of the updater file show the Flasher utility is for ATI graphics, though this does not narrow the systems down by much because most-recent iMac models except for the early 2009 ones have used ATI graphics.

Because of the lack of specifics about the eligible models for this update, even though the updater is available as a standalone installer, we … Read more

Google Image Search now lets you sort by subject

Those people who use Google's Image Search to find photos and graphics should now have an easier time zeroing in on just the right ones.

Unveiled yesterday, a new feature in Google Image Search now lets you sort your images by subject. So instead of seeing just a random, haphazard gallery of images, you can organize them so that each row displays images specific to a certain topic or area.

As Google's official blog points out, the new feature can come in handy especially when you're struggling to find the right words or phrase to describe the … Read more

Epson updates scrapbooker-friendly photo printer

It's been 3 years since Epson shipped its Stylus Photo R1900 printer, and even at what seems like a high price of $549, 13-inch models like these are relatively popular with scrapbookers, graphic artists, and amateur photographers seeking to produce glossy images that pop. Epson has finally replaced that model with the R2000, adding the network support, larger ink tanks, updated halftoning algorithms, and improved paper handling similar to the recently announced R3000. And it launches at a lower price than that model did: $499.99. If you want a more professional, less glossy ink set, you can now … Read more

Mozilla overhauling Firefox graphics, JavaScript

In the quest for better browser speed, Mozilla has begun work on new Firefox engines for running JavaScript programs and displaying graphics.

The new JavaScript engine, including a compiler called IonMonkey, is designed to run Web-based programs faster and to impose less disruption during the pesky memory-scrubbing process called garbage collection. And the graphics engine, called Azure, is intended to get along better with Windows' graphics interfaces while still working with those of Mac OS X and Linux.

Says Joe Drew, who's working on Azure:

Firefox 4's graphics performance is great...We're not content with "great,&… Read more

Tackling nVidia Quadro 4000 graphics issues with OS X 10.6.7

After installing the OS X 10.6.7 update, a number of people running nVidia Quadro 4000 graphics cards in their Mac Pro systems have found issues with performance problems, odd graphical quirks when scrolling or viewing video, and some problems with managing and running secondary displays.

MacFixIt reader "Alex" wrote in with such an issue:

I'm experiencing full screen white flashes/screen redraws after invoking certain GPU targeted functions in PS CS5 and Final Cut Pro (latest)--averages about every 20-30 seconds--stops when above operations stop [using an early 2008 Mac Pro with a Quadro 4000]. … Read more

What's in store for digital comics?

Music, movies, television shows, and books have all developed strong digital presences, but what about the comics from which so many of these other media take their story lines? Relatively new to the digital world, some comics publishers feel they finally have a delivery device for their content in the tablet, and they've got plans for how to develop digital comics. What's less certain is how readers will react to those plans, and whether digital comics will help reverse dwindling comic book sales.

DC Comics, publisher of comics involving well-known heroes such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, … Read more

iPad graphic novel teaches kids self-esteem

I had a hard time in middle school. Other kids picked on me, girls ignored me, and many of the friends I'd had in elementary school abandoned me.

Perhaps reading "Be Confident in Who You Are: A Middle School Confidential Graphic Novel" would have helped--if only it had been available back then.

Based on the actual graphic novel of the same name, Be Confident in Who You Are for iPad reads like a nicely illustrated comic book and addresses a number of important tween/teen issues: bullying, body image, problems with friends, peer pressure, and so on.… Read more

Get Back to the Future: Episode 1 (PC/Mac) for free

If you're a fan of the graphical adventures of yesteryear and/or the beloved "Back to the Future" movies, today's your lucky day.

Game developer Telltale Games is offering Back to the Future: Episode 1 for PC and Mac absolutely free. All you need to do is sign up for a Telltale account (also free), then download and install the game.

As I wrote in my recent review of the iPad version, the Back to the Future game is kind of an anachronism, a wonderful throwback to the graphical adventures of the past. If you ever … Read more

Apple update squishes Apple TV graphics bug

Following the recent OS X 10.6.7 update that in part specifically addressed a graphics bugs being experienced by new 2011 MacBook Pro owners, Apple has also released an Apple TV update that addresses the graphics flickering experienced after the recent 4.2 software update for that system. We outlined the initial bug in a previous article.

The latest update, version 4.2.1, is issued with the following features:

TV compatibility: addresses issues that may cause the screen to flicker or display incorrect color on some older TVs. Wake from sleep: addresses a problem in which the Apple … Read more

Expect software fixes for Apple TV and 2011 MacBook Pro graphics bugs

In Apple's latest round of software and hardware releases, the second-generation Apple TV got a software update to add more features for HDMI support, AirPlay, and surround sound for Netflix movies; however, along with the update a number of people found their televisions began flickering, especially if they were using HDMI to DVI adapters.

More recently, Apple's updated line of MacBook Pro systems has encountered a problem profiled on MacRumors and discussed in great length on this Apple Discussion Board thread, where the systems have been locking up when under heavy load. While the machines appear to be … Read more