Photoshop files are grainy all of a sudden

[incybautista]

Hoping that someone can tell me what I did wrong -- I opened an old file that I never had problems with before, in fact the project was finished and printed without any problems.  I reopened the file a year later because a client wanted to re-use the photo and all of a sudden the gradients look like this (attached screenshot).  I thought it was with all files but if I open or create new files, the gradients are smooth.  Can someone tell me what I did wrong before I have to re-create the whole image?  when I view the same file in bridge, there is no graininess at all.  Would appreciate any thoughts on this - thanks!

[K´mo]

Looks like dissolve blending in drop shadow.

[incybautista]

thanks - I did think it was just the filters but when i tried creating a new gradient on a new layer - I still got the same effect.... I can't understand what happened, when this was finished a year ago it was all smooth -- any tips on what I should do?  I really don't have a lot of time to re-create/retouch the entire photo...

[Barbara Ash · Accepted solution]

Is the gradient on a separate layer and is that layer set to Dissolve blend mode instead of Normal blend mode, and is the layer at less than 100% Opacity?

[incybautista]

Thank you!  I missed out on one layer that was set on dissolve that changed everything!!! thank you thank you - I can breathe now!

[Barbara Ash]

Glad that worked for you