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Participating Frequently
October 31, 2007
Question

Photoshop CS3 color management "Save for Web" problem

  • October 31, 2007
  • 680 replies
  • 62091 views
This problem is getting the best of me.......

After spending 3 full days researching this problem, I am no closer to finding an answer than when I started. I still cannot produce a usable image through the "Save for Web" feature of Photoshop CS3. I have read web page after web page of "Tips, Tricks and Recommendations" from dozens of experts, some from this forum, and still I have no solution... I am exhausted and frustrated to say the least. Here's the simple facts that I know at this point.

I have a web design project that was started in PS CS1. All artwork was created in photoshop and exported to JPG format by using "Save for Web". Every image displays correctly in these browsers (Safari, Camino, FireFox and even Internet Explorer on a PC).

I have recently upgraded to PS CS3 and now cannot get any newly JPG'd image to display correctly. My original settings in CS1 were of no concern to me at the time, because it always just worked, and so I do not know what they were. I have opened a few of my previous images in CS3 and found that sRGB-2.1 displays them more or less accurately. I am using sRGB 2.1 working space. Upon openning these previous image files, I get the "Missing Profile" message and of course I select "Leave as is. Do Not color manage". CS3 assumes sRGB-2.1 working space, opens the file, and all is well.

The problem is when I go to "Save for Web", the saturation goes up, and the colors change. The opposite of what most people are reporting. Here's another important point... new artwork created in CS3 does exactly the same thing, so it's not because of the older CS1 files.

I have tried every combination of "uncompensated color", "Convert to sRGB", "ICC Profile", etc. while saving. I have Converted to sRGB before saving, and my monitor is calibrated correctly.
I have tried setting the "Save for Web" page on 2-up and the "original" on the left is already color shifted before I even hit the "Save" button. Of course, the "Optimized" image on the right looks perfect because I am cheating by selecting the "Use Document Color Profile" item. Why do they even have this feature if doesn't work, or misleads you?

Does anyone have any ideas what could be happening here? Why is this all so screwed up?
CS1 worked fine out of the box.

Final note: I do have an image file I could send along that demonstrates how it is possible to display an image exactly the same in all 4 of the browsers I mentioned with no color differences. It is untagged RGB and somehow it just works.

I am very frustrated with all of this and any suggestions will be appreciated

Thanks,
Pete
    This topic has been closed for replies.

    680 replies

    Participating Frequently
    November 30, 2007
    hmm...

    and why do you need my input if your questions are being answered by Peter?
    November 30, 2007
    jefbak, it may be a difference in settings between CS1 and CS3. What colour profile is the source image using and do you have "convert to sRGB" checked in the SFW options menu?
    Ramón G Castañeda
    Inspiring
    November 30, 2007
    > Monitors are not the direct cause of any seen discrepancy.

    Agreed.

    PEBKAC plain and simple.
    Participating Frequently
    November 30, 2007
    Monitors are not the direct cause of any seen discrepancy. It is the simple fact that some models of newer LCD screens have a larger display gamut than older monitorsl, which, more or less, conformed close enough to sRGB that it didnt' matter much. There are more options in CS3 SFW, so you have to be aware of what they are when you go that route, and know that viewing untagged images in a non color managed app may result in your brain getting twisted more than this thread has already done to several participants.
    jefbak
    Known Participant
    November 30, 2007
    Still confused here. Is this thread about monitors causing the issue?

    Is there a difference in save for web and devices between cs1 and cs3 using the default settings on each version?

    If I am seeing the image one way with save for web cs1 and another way with cs3 save for web, what could that mean?
    November 30, 2007
    g ballard and Mike Ornellas, what is the point of saying "hmmm..." and nothing else? How does that help anyone? Seems to me like you are merely being insulting.

    I am probably just fanning the flames by even commenting on this, and should have just ignored it. I just get so tired of such comments, it's hard for me to ignore. But I'll work on it.
    November 30, 2007
    Mike. What are you listening for?
    Inspiring
    November 30, 2007
    You're completely nuts if you return that monitor. Get your calibrator vendor to tell you what to do.
    NTSC is only a space for good CRTs anyway. I mean, come on, it's television, give me a break. Nothing to do with Adobe RGB and advanced display technology.

    CCFL is still fluorescent.
    Participating Frequently
    November 30, 2007
    Im listening Raven
    November 29, 2007
    "hmm.....x2"

    Can you elaborate? x2