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robinr055
robinr055
Participant
September 9, 2020
Answered

Illustrator changed my swatch panel to cmyk and can't figure out how to fix it

  • September 9, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 3867 views

I was working in RGB (under File/Document Color Mode - RGB is checked) yet my swatch panel for my current artwork is now CMYK for some reason.  I am relatively new to Illustrator and can't figure our why it changed or how to change it back.  If I go into a new file, the color mode is set for a default of CMYK, yet when I click on RGP it doesn't change. Please advise.  I want to change my existing file and default to RGB.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Monika Gause

    If the title bar says RGB, then it's an RGB document and all the colors are RGB.

    Just switch back the color panel.

    3 replies

    John Mensinger
    Community Expert
    John MensingerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 9, 2020

    Aside from the initial loading of swatches upon the start of a new document, Document Color Mode doesn't govern the Swatches panel. After a document is in progress, the Swatches panel doesn't reload when Document Color Mode is changed, and it may contain any mix of CMYK, RGB, and spot colors, regardless of Document Color Mode.

      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 9, 2020

      What makes you think it is CMYK?

      Colors are suddenly looking muddy?

       

      Please describe step by step what happens. The color mode in the document title bar still shows RGB?

      robinr055
      robinr055Author
      Participant
      September 9, 2020

      The document title bar shows the document name followed by RGB/GPU Preview.  I know it is CMYK because when I go to properties/fill and hover over all of the colors they are CMYK.  If I click on any of the colors in my artwork and go to the color mixer to change them, it shows CMYK even though I created the artwork in RGB.

      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      September 9, 2020

      If the title bar says RGB, then it's an RGB document and all the colors are RGB.

      Just switch back the color panel.

        Charu Rajput
        Community Expert
        Charu RajputCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 9, 2020

        Hello,

        Please make sure Profile is not set to Print or [custom]. Choose Profile as Web and color mode as RGB. See screenshot for the reference.

        For more details please read

        https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator/swatches-in-rgb-instead-of-cmyk/td-p/9625892?page=1

        Best regards
        robinr055
        robinr055Author
        Participant
        September 9, 2020

        Thanks for your reply.  How do I find that window you are showing in your screenshot?  

        Charu Rajput
        Community Expert
        Charu RajputCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        September 9, 2020

        Are you creating a new document or do you have existing one? If you are creating new document. Then you will see one button "More Settings" when you click on File->New. See screen shot

         

        Currently, you may be seeing the swatch name as CMYK, but when you double click any swatch, it will show you RGB values.

         

        Helpful link

        https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/5313/how-to-change-the-workspace-color-window-from-rgb-to-cmyk-mode-in-illustrator-cs

        Best regards
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