If you design web pages with graphics and photos, you have undoubtedly had PC users say that your photos are too dark... well, at least it has happened to me quite a bit! :)
PCs usually have uncorrected gamma, Macs default to corrected gamma, although with newer system software you can change the gamma in the Monitors & Sounds control panel, or "options" in Monitors control panel - very cumbersome!
I wrote GammaToggle to allow a Mac user to very easily toggle back and forth between the two standard gamma settings - allowing a simple way to see how graphics will look on both PCs & Macs. You can toggle the gamma from within any application. eg: Photoshop when you are editing pictures, Netscape when you are previewing and editing the HTML document. Toggling between the two settings allows you to make changes to strike a compromise.
Note: If you use color calibration software and/or have set your monitor to a non-standard gamma, then GammaToggle "cycles" between the three settings: Mac, PC, "Saved gamma". (Multiple monitors are handled correctly with separate gamma settings.)
How do I install it?
Drag the GammaToggle FKEY file (disguised as a font suitcase) to the Fonts folder in the System Folder. If you prefer that GammaToggle simply toggles the gamma and not display which gamma was switched in, use the "no show" version of GammaToggle. That's it! If you want to change the FKEY from the default setting of "9", then you must use ResEdit to change it. (If there is demand, I'll write an app to change it.)
How do I use it?
Hold down shift-command and press 9. (If you have multiple monitors, move the mouse pointer to the desired monitor.) If nothing happens, or you hear a system beep, that means that the monitor doesn't support gamma setting. If you use the standard version of GammaToggle, a message flashes on the screen telling you which gamma setting is currently active. (Either PC or Mac gamma) The message stays on the screen as long as you hold down the shift-command-9 combination. If you use the "no show" version, then the gamma will simply switch and you'll notice that the screen intensities changed slightly. If the darks became darker, then you switched to PC gamma, lighter, then Mac gamma.
Version History:
v1.3.3: Added $5 register option for those who don't want to say "Thank You" or would like to encourage me to update GammaToggle ;-)
v1.3.2: Since v1.3 didn't work on some machines, provided two versions of GammaToggle, one that shows the current gamma and one that doesn't. (no show) Simply install the one you prefer. (But not both at once.)
v1.3: Renaming the FKEY suitcase so that it starts with a "-" minus sign suppresses the settings window that normally pops up on the screen. (see 1.1 below)
v1.2: If a non-standard gamma is detected, it is saved and cycled as follows: Mac-PC-Saved
v1.1: When toggling, tells you which gamma is active.
v1.0: First release.
System requirements:
- System 7.1 or better. (Requires System with "Fonts" folder.)
- Should work on any Mac that supports gamma adjusting using standard device driver mechanism. (Tested on a Quadra 800, PowerMac 8500/180, PowerMac 7200/75, LC 575, LCII)
GammaToggle FKEY is "ThankYouWare". If you find it useful,
