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Participant
May 5, 2020
Answered

Eyedropper not picking up color from images (jpeg)

  • May 5, 2020
  • 6 replies
  • 22860 views

I have noticed since I started using CC that the eyedropper does not work when trying to pick up color from a placed jpeg. I know for a fact it used to work in CS6 because I did an entire gradient mesh project using this method. Honestly, I don't know quite how else you would do an accurate gradient mesh without this tool. Is anyone else having this issue? Is it just a setting that needs to be changed? My color space is RGB.

Correct answer Laura Coyle.

Hold shift when you click on the image with the Eyedropper tool. When you try and sample the Appearance of an image you get its fill and stroke set to none, and not the pixels from the image. Holding shift overrrides the "sample appearance" setting temporarily and allows you to sample the pixels. Double click on eyedropper tool to view/change it's settings.

For more info on what is behind this (it's not a bug) https://www.lauracoylecreative.com/illustrator-tips/eyedropper-tool-not-working-adobe-illustrator

6 replies

Participant
August 15, 2024

I found that the only way I could to get it to work was to copy the image, say in Photoshop, and paste it into my Illustrator file, then the eyedropper tool works fine and you don't need to hold down shift. If you place the image it doesn't work as they're thinked files.

Participant
August 15, 2024

Sorry, I meant it doesn't work with linked files!

Participant
July 7, 2023

no this is a bug because ive done all these things and i am still just getting white in the color picker no matter if its an image or an actual vector

 

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 7, 2023

@Ryan24277701j2d5  schrieb:

no this is a bug because ive done all these things and i am still just getting white in the color picker no matter if its an image or an actual vector

 


 

Exactly what are you trying to pick from exactly where? And what is happeing instead? And what have you tried?

Inspiring
June 22, 2020

Trying to change color of text by selecting color from the background image.  Color picker will ONLY pick a medium gray.  Double clicking eyedropper tool does nothing, holding shift does nothing, holding alt or delete does nothing.  I have yet to figure this out.  Right now, I have to use the eyedropper to choose the color, remember the HEX, then put the code in the hex code box.  That is the ONLY way it will work.  Very frustrating and time consuming.  Windows 10 64bit, Adobe CC latest update.  

Known Participant
November 24, 2020

Eyedropper not picking up color from Effect-Rasterized artwork.

This isn't fixed, guys.
On windows 10, 64bit, Version 25— doesn't pick color from artwork that has a raster effect on it either.
I have a lot of overlapping shapes that I want to make swatches for, but I want swatches of the visually blended color. Illustrator used to work— and pick the pixel color under the eyedropper when shift was held while doing the pick.

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 24, 2020

Please show a screenshot of what you want to pick.

Laura Coyle.
Community Expert
Laura Coyle.Community ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
May 5, 2020

Hold shift when you click on the image with the Eyedropper tool. When you try and sample the Appearance of an image you get its fill and stroke set to none, and not the pixels from the image. Holding shift overrrides the "sample appearance" setting temporarily and allows you to sample the pixels. Double click on eyedropper tool to view/change it's settings.

For more info on what is behind this (it's not a bug) https://www.lauracoylecreative.com/illustrator-tips/eyedropper-tool-not-working-adobe-illustrator

julief13040517
Participant
May 16, 2020

Wow after years of this issue, your reply worked immediately! Superstar! Thank you for posting that!!!

pixxxelschubser
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 5, 2020

Hi @ack6464,

double click your Eyedropper Tool (and then if still necessary) show your settings

Charu Rajput
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 5, 2020

Hi,

Could you please share which version if CC are using. Or may be if possible you can share you image to help you out. I have tried at my end using jpeg image but it is working fine. So more details from your side will help us.

 

Thanks

 

Best regards