difference between icc and csf?

[photosynthesize]

I've been provided with an .icc file to install, but when I go to Edit/Color settings/Load, it's greyed out. I haven't used one of these before so not sure how to make it work. Googling seemed to say that most people use a .csf file to do this. Not sure on the difference, or how to load the icc correctly. Any help appreciated - I'm running CS6.

[rob day · Accepted solution]

A .csf file is the saved application Color Settings—the RGB & CMYK Working spaces along with the Color Managment Policies. The .icc file is a color profile, either RGB or CMYK, which can be selected as a Working Space or assigned to an existing document.

If the profile is installed correctly in your system it will show in either the Color Settings' RGB or CMYK Working Space pop-up menu. Keep in mind the Color Settings dialog handles the application color preferences and will be applied to future documents. For existing documents you have to use Edit>Assign Profiles... or Edit> Convert to Profiles... in order to change a document profile.

[rob day]

The .csf file saves and loads the entire Color Settings panel:

.icc profiles are installed in the system and appear in the Working Spaces pop-ups

[photosynthesize]

thank you, that makes sense. so how do I install/assign the icc colour profile file I've been sent?

[rob day]

On OSX profiles are like fonts and can be saved in a few locations.

You can copy them to your user folder here where they will be available to all the user's color managed applications:

/Users/username/Library/ColorSync/Profiles

Or in Adobe's profile folder where they will be available to Adobe apps:

OSX/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Color/Profiles

If you move them to the Recommended folder they will appear at the top of the profile list in Adobe apps

For Windows you should be able to right-click the profile and choose Install Profile

[photosynthesize]

Thank you Rob, really helpful.

[papochka]

Thank you Rob