Why are the ruler marks so hard to see? [2018]

[scottmosher]

My eye sight is good, by why are the ruler marks so hard to discern in Photoshop now? Dragging out my guides once was effortless and easy - now I can barely see the location markers in the ruler (that light color on the dark gray - seems like the markers are small or very thin.) Anyone else have a problem with this and is there any way to adjust this?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Please read this (in particular the section titled "Supply pertinent information for quicker answers"):

https://forums.adobe.com/docs/DOC-7044

Could you please post a screenshot taken at View > 100% and with the pertinent Panels (Layers, Channels, Options Bar, …) visible?

[scottmosher]

Just seems like the ruler markers are harder to see than they've been in previous versions of PS.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Why are you using a dark Color Theme? Are you working for video or film editing?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I notice at least no significant difference to Photoshop CC 2017 in that regard.

Which version are you comparing to?

[scottmosher]

I'm a designer and musician. I'm wondering why the ruler strokes are so much harder to see now. Weird.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Well, when working for print the dark Colour Themes are unfit, but many users seem to stick with them presumably because the default is a dark theme now.

Like I said I don’t notice a relevant difference to CC 2017 in that regard but I am not sure which older version you are used to.

[davescm]

+1 for using the lightest colour theme. It means your eyes are not misled into adjusting the image too dark and has the added benefit of making the ruler very clear. I also set the background to 50% grey.

Dave

[scottmosher · Accepted solution]

I was trying to stick with a middle to darker theme with easier to read ruler marks, but it seems its just not possible. Thanks!

[KateMorgan]

I had the same issue, I also really like to work with a dark background.  But changing it to a very light grey does make a difference!  I found that if you make the theme a light grey then scroll down to choose your custom colour it changes the colour of the art board.  So I can still work with a dark back ground and have the surrounding area light so everything is easy to see.  This is so cool.  Thanks Dave! 

[m_johann]

I find even with changing the color theme to white or a light grey and making the background darker, the markers are still next to impossible to read, and I also like my layer panels dark.  How difficult would it be to have the optoins to change the marker's color?  Any plug-ins for this???  I'm coming from CS6 and having to adjust to different key commands etc.. so it's just one more frustration on top of others. I know, new tricks for an old dog, but I'm trying!!

[JFPublishers]

@davescm This is so interesting about print=light so our eyes don't adjust too much! I have been struggling with this for a while (dark mode, screen brightness, tyring to "see" colors accurately for print) AND I cannot see the ruler hashes, which are vital to layout-- I am so grateful for you sharing this information so thouroughly! You've helped me with many things!

[Karen284517213gcg]

Im glad I am not the only one with this issue.  I sent Embrilliance an e-mail asking if there is a way to make the ruler more pronounced that I can barely see it.  He said he was going to pass my message on to the programmers to see if this can get added.   It couldn't hurt if more request were sent.  Maybe it could be a priority.

[PECourtejoie]

Hi @scottmosher you say "now" the main change that recently happened was the addition of natively GPU rendered rulers, you can try to disable that option in Photoshop /preferences (settings in the latest OS)/ technology preview https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/technology-previews.html

[Sandra Delgado]

At last! You have helped me a lot: in my case the ruler marks almost completely disappeared when zooming in my file, and now they look better, just enough to return to work at ease.

¡Mil gracias, @PECourtejoie! 🙂

[PECourtejoie]

Hi, glad to head it was helpful!

May I ask which GPU and driver version you have on your computer (Help>GPU Compatibility)

[Sandra Delgado]

Hi! Sure, no problem at all:

I'am attaching a screenshot of the GPU data, and also another one where you can clearly see the difference between the ruler marks before and after, just in case it's also useful.

[Sandra Delgado]

(Way better the enlarged version of the second one, by the way).

[Phillip3143258294kc]

So tired of not being able to see the markings on the rulers ant help to see bigger and darker markings is appreciated. 

[leslis455806]

well, 5 years later and in illustrator, i am having the same problem.... i am using the dark background, but it is so hard to see the ruler incraments... what can i do to make it more visible

[drasahershoff]

SIX years later and this obvious interface FLAW has never been changed. Way easier to read for example in InDesign. That is the nature of Adobe, sadly. And then they have the nerve to have pop ups asking if you would recommend their software! I have lists of DOZENS of PERMANENT bugs in InDesign, none ever fixed.

[GARY38981828zl0m]

I'm convinced that whoever programmed photoshop's rulers never had to actually use them. A lot of what has happened to photoshop since the old days has me convinced that no one who does the actual programing of photoshop ever had to actually use the program to do any serious graphic design work on a consistent basis. The best thing Adobe could have done after CS-7 would have been to just leave well enough alone. It was great! And hey, get this...... you could even read the rulers! Holy smokes! What a concept!