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rorys64395165
Participant
November 9, 2022
Question

Dull colors only in Illustrator - CMYK and RGB

  • November 9, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 2861 views

I have in issue consigned to the v27 of the Mac version of Illustrator where the colors are all dull for both RGB and CMYK color spaces when compared with:

 

  • The exact same version of Illustrator on another laptop replicating the same CMYK swatch with the exact same color settings (same proofing settings, same FOGRA39 profiles)
  • On the same laptop with side by side windows running Photoshop / Affinity replicating the same CMYK swatch in the same color mode (which shows correctly in Photoshop / Affinity)
  • An exported PDF from the plagued Illustrator version with CMYK color profile  (which shows correctly in Preview and Acrobat)
  • Even the Recently Opened previews in the home screen of Illustrator show correctly, but revert to dull versions when opened

 

See swtaches and differences below, with the 'correct' version shown in Illustrator. I should emphasise these are colours I have been working with for years and have always looked correct in my previous laptop running Illustrator (with the same external monitor I connect to now).

 

Some other notes:

  • The colours are dull both on the MacBook Pro's 14 inch screen and external monitors connected to the MacBook Pro (these monitors show the colors perfectly in Photoshp for example) - therefore in my view ruling out monitor callibration
  • I understand RGB > CMYK conversions issues can cause dullness, but I have worked with these swatches for years on other versions (including sending them to CMYK printers many times)

 

In terms of settings I have tried:

  • Changing Colour Settings from my usual Europe General Purpose 3 to determine any difference (in anycase Photoshop shows correctly in CMYK mode under the same Europe General Purpose 3)
  • Forcing the colour swatched to be 'sourced' from CMYK values by entering those values
  • Changing Proof Setup and toggling Proof Colors mode (in any case they are the same as the laptop which shows the correct settings)
  • Other random tidbits on forums elsewhere

I am convinced the issue must be consigned to this instance of Illustrator's settings. Any ideas where else I can look? This is driving me crazy!

Illustrator color settings:

 

=

    2 replies

    Anshul_Saini
    Community Manager
    Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    November 9, 2022

    Hi @rorys64395165,

     

    Thanks for reaching out and sharing the details. We have investigated the issue, and it has been found reproducible on our end on Apple Silicon Mac running on macOS Ventura only. This is acknowledged and will be worked on by developers in future updates.

     

    Currently, workarounds to this are to use CPU preview or run the app using rosetta or open as Intel.

     

    Please check this UserVoice and upvote it: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-desktop-bugs/suggestions/45876907-macos-...

    By doing this, you'll get updates on the issue and help prioritize.

     

    Thanks,

    Anshul Saini

    R
    rorys64395165Author
    Participant
    November 10, 2022

    Thanks Anshul - I'm glad I wasn't going crazy.

    I can confirm switching it to CPU preview makes it better.

    I just wanted to highlight that I now notice that on GPU mode using my Intel Mac (also on Ventura), the colors appear too saturated! Again switching it to CPU preview makes them look normal.

    I hope you guys are able to resolve these issues quickly - obviously they are pretty fundamental!

    Thanks.

      Anshul_Saini
      Community Manager
      Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      November 13, 2022

      Thanks, @rorys64395165, for checking & confirming this. I agree this is fundamental and needs to be resolved quickly, but there's a possibility it will take some time, as this issue was introduced with macOS Ventura. We will need to check internally & with Apple, as the apps work fine on macOS Monterey.

       

      Please stay tuned for the updates on the UserVoice.

       

      Thanks,

      Anshul Saini

      Ton Frederiks
      Community Expert
      Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 9, 2022

      Did you update your Mac OS recently?

      R
      rorys64395165Author
      Participant
      November 9, 2022

      The new Mac came a week ago with Ventura 13.0 and so I guess that could be conisdered new (Oct 24 release).

      However I updated the old Mac also to Ventura 13.0 and the colors remain normal on that. 

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