Published on

Fixing Blurred ShadCN Dialog Components

Authors
  • Name
    Ripal & Zalak
    Twitter

Introduction

Sometimes, a ShadCN dialog component in a React application might unexpectedly become blurred. This issue often relates to CSS transformations or styles applied to the dialog. In this guide, we’ll explore common causes of this problem and provide practical solutions to fix it.

Common Causes of the Blurred Dialog Issue

  1. CSS Transformations:

    • Properties like translate or scale may inadvertently create rendering artifacts that cause the dialog to appear blurred.

  2. Rounded Borders:

    • The border-radius property can sometimes cause blurring when combined with certain transformations.

  3. Rendering Layers:

    • Overlapping elements or incorrect z-index settings can interfere with rendering, resulting in a blurred appearance.

Solutions

1. Adjust the translate-y Property

Blurriness can occur when fractional pixel translations are applied to the dialog. To resolve this, adjust the translate-y property slightly:

translate-y-[-50%] // Original value causing blurriness
translate-y-[-53%] // Updated value to fix blurriness

Example:

<DialogPrimitive.Content
  ref={ref}
  className={cn(
    'fixed left-[50%] top-[50%] z-20 w-full max-w-2xl translate-x-[-50%] translate-y-[-53%] border bg-white shadow-lg',
    className
  )}
  {...props}
>
  {children}
</DialogPrimitive.Content>

2. Modify the top Property

To maintain proper alignment after adjusting the translate-y value, tweak the top property as well:

top-[50%] // Original value
top-[53%] // Adjusted value

This ensures that the dialog remains centered without blurring.

3. Remove Rounded Borders

In some cases, the border-radius property (e.g., rounded-md) can contribute to blurring. You can remove it to see if the issue resolves:

<DialogPrimitive.Content className="border bg-white shadow-lg">{children}</DialogPrimitive.Content>

If removing rounded borders isn’t acceptable for your design, combine it with anti-aliasing techniques (e.g., -webkit-backface-visibility: hidden;) to reduce blurring.

4. Ensure Proper Z-Index and Layering

Blurring can also result from improper layering. Make sure the dialog has a sufficiently high z-index to avoid interference from other elements:

.z-50 {
  z-index: 50;
}

5. Test with Different Content

If the issue persists, try replacing the dialog’s content temporarily to identify whether specific components or styles are contributing to the problem. For example, TinyMCE editors or other dynamic components may require specific handling.

Best Practices

  • Optimize CSS: Avoid overly complex or nested transformations.
  • Debug Incrementally: Make changes one at a time to isolate the issue.
  • Cross-Browser Testing: Ensure your dialog renders correctly in all target browsers.

Conclusion

Blurring in ShadCN dialog components can often be resolved by tweaking CSS transformations or removing conflicting styles. By following the steps outlined above, you can fix the issue and ensure a smooth user experience.