Inspiring

Answered

Mac Sonoma Display B/W Thumbnail of AI Document

Forum|Forum|9 months ago
May 26, 2025
3 replies
783 views

I created a custom bar chart (attached) and the doc displays with the assigned colors within AI, and pdf exports show the same range of colors as well. But, Mac Sonoma now displays the .ai thumbnail as monochrome in all views. It didn't do this yesterday. I rebooted the system in Safe Boot, then restarted and opened the doc, saved it. No change in the issue.

So, the file is fine and no issues with workflow, but strange that my iMac 24 (Sonoma) suddenly started doing this. Thoughts?

How-to

Correct answer wgullo

thanks for following the issue. Due to a quirky issue with Apple Pages and some document clutter from another project, I decided to reinstall Sonoma then followed by my primary Adobe apps and Wacom driver. All that to say, I no longer have specific vers numbers. I made a copy of the file and openened/modified it in AI 27.0.0.

The .ai doc was created entirely with AI. However, I did use an embedded .jpg texture of watercolor paper in my bottom most layer. I've used the same doc in ID and PS, and then AI. And, I was using that same file in a companion bar chart with no issue.

Problem seems to be solved with the complete reinstall. If you need any additional information please let me know. Thanks.

*How do I attach an .ai file through the forum's upload widget?

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

Which version of Sonoma? I use 14.7.5 without that problem.

wgulloAuthor

Inspiring

Hi, as I mentioned to Abhishek above... I have since reinstalled Sonoma and then Ai and PS. I don't recall the specific vers numbers.

The issue only occurred with one doc, and not with a companion chart I was concurrently working on with no difference in anything other than some numbers. If it helps, I didn't use the AI chart program, just drew rectangles and sized/styled them to my tastes. Simple constructions.

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @wgullo,

Thanks for sharing the details and screenshots. Could you please confirm the exact version of Illustrator you're using and your exact current macOS version (including the minor update number for Sonoma)? Also, was the bar chart created entirely within Illustrator, or was it imported or placed from another app?

If possible, please share a sample .ai file so we can test this on our end and get it checked with the team.

Looking forward to your update!

Abhishek

wgulloAuthorCorrect answer

Inspiring

thanks for following the issue. Due to a quirky issue with Apple Pages and some document clutter from another project, I decided to reinstall Sonoma then followed by my primary Adobe apps and Wacom driver. All that to say, I no longer have specific vers numbers. I made a copy of the file and openened/modified it in AI 27.0.0.

The .ai doc was created entirely with AI. However, I did use an embedded .jpg texture of watercolor paper in my bottom most layer. I've used the same doc in ID and PS, and then AI. And, I was using that same file in a companion bar chart with no issue.

Problem seems to be solved with the complete reinstall. If you need any additional information please let me know. Thanks.

*How do I attach an .ai file through the forum's upload widget?

Brad @ Roaring Mouse

Community Expert

Where are you seeing the thumbnail in grey; in the Finder? or...?

wgulloAuthor

Inspiring

Hi. It's the Finder views... desktop thumbnails, Icon, List, Column, and Gallery views.

Brad @ Roaring Mouse

Community Expert

That's a new one. Does it do the same thing when viewing the file in Bridge?

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