HEX-Code switches back and fourth by itself (Converting from CMYK to RGB and Back)

[haeki]

Hey, I just figured out a strange behaviour when converting from CMYK to RGB. When I switch the mode for a certain color from CMYK to RGB I get #0e151d for the HEX-Code. Then I close the color and open it back up and it's #0e161d. Is that a bug? 

See the screencast for more details:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbXuj-XIHPA

Kind regards

[rob day · Accepted solution]

Hi @haeki , I‘m not sure if it is a bug, but round trip color conversions from the Swatches panel can be a bit "sticky", and you don’t always get an accurate conversion.

For accurate conversions you can use the color managed Color Picker

Keep in mind that CMYK to RGB/Hex, or RGB/Hex to CMYK conversions result in different values depending on the document’s assigned profiles Edit>Assign Profiles... If I enter a specific CMYK build in the Color Picker’s CMYK fields, the RGB/Hex values are going to depend on the assigned profiles and the Color Settings Intent setting. Here you can see the difference in the conversion from Coated FOGRA27 to AdobeRGB vs. US Web Coated to AdobeRGB.

Also be aware the color mode of the chosen color is dependent on the position of your cursor. In my example above I’m choosing a CMYK color, but if I put my cursor in one of the R, G, or, B fields the add button will be Add RGB Swatch

[haeki]

Hi Rob,

thank you for that in depth answer. So when writing down RGB, CMYK and HEX-Numbers for a CI manual it makes sense to also name the CMYK-Profile used while converting, maybe even the RGB-Profile, right?

Kind regards,

Fabian

[rob day]

Yes. If you are trying to come up with fixed values for branding this might help:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/branding-color-guide/td-p/10818696

[haeki]

Great, thank you! 🙂