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Question

AUTO COLOR IN BETA

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
November 19, 2024
5 replies
2042 views

Auto Color under "Image" Menu does NOT - and never has - worked properly in all the versions ever released in Beta Apps.

macOS

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Jeff Arola

Community Expert

I've tried all kinds of images and haven't been able to reproduce the issue, so far.

Perhaps if you do a bug report someone from Adobe will comment.

Jeff Arola

Community Expert

I been testing on the Mac side in the latest Photoshop Beta 26.2 m.2866 with scanned slides, negatives, camera raw files

and other misc images with color casts and still don't get any difference when using Image>Auto Color in either the Photoshop Beta or the stable release of Photoshop such as 2025 (ps version 26.1) and other stable release versions.

I'm testing on an Intel Mac running macOS Sonoma 14.7.1

Are the results your seeing on an Intel or Apple Silicon Mac?

D

DanielDayGraphicsAuthor

Participating Frequently

I am working on a MacBook Pro with an M1 Apple Silcon based CPU. All 15 other other designers in my department have the same problem - that they noted after I pointed it out to them - and the same optimal results in their full working PS 2025 (26.0.0). And it has been that way for as many releases as I can remember.

Jeff Arola

Community Expert

What operating system are you using?

Here with Windows 11 and the latest Photoshop Beta 26.2 m.2855, it seems Auto Color is working correctly.

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DanielDayGraphicsAuthor

Participating Frequently

Wow... that is amazing. I am running Mac OS 15.1 (Sequoia). Recently updated... but it has been the same problem with all earier MAC operating systems. So... you took my attached reference... captured the left image (labeled ORIGINAL) and placed it on a new layer - and ran AUTO IMAGE, and you got that result??? I still get a bad - obviously flawed - outcome and I am using the same 26.2 release. I see that there is even another available BETA. I will try that ,but I have my doubts. P.S. I also know that it does not work with other MAC users I am associated with.

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DanielDayGraphicsAuthor

Participating Frequently

No luck on the newest download of BETA. Haha. Oh well... back to work!

M

Muhammad_Zahid0126

Participating Frequently

It’s important to keep in mind that beta versions are essentially works in progress, meant for testing new features before they’re fully refined. Bugs and glitches are common, and the developers rely on feedback like yours to improve the tool. While it’s not ideal that Auto Color isn’t working properly, they’re likely aware of the issue and working to resolve it for the final release. Hopefully, once the beta period ends, the feature will be fully functional!

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DanielDayGraphicsAuthor

Participating Frequently

I agree Muhammad. But it seemed rather curious that it has not been addressed. I have test driven every version of BETA that has been released. Many cool functions and added tools. Sometimes revert to using the BETA just to gain access to a particular functionality on a given project. Seemed very odd that AUTO COLOR has never worked and that they haven't corrected it. Makes me wonder if they truly DO know about it. Seems like it would be an easy fix to just take the formula, coding - or whatever is involved - back to all previously released working version of the app.

jane-e

Community Expert

@DanielDayGraphics

Does it work for you in the released version of Photoshop?

"Does not work properly" is vague. Can you clarify what happens vs. what you expect to happen? Screenshots will help us to help you.

Also: consider using an Adjustment Layer instead of the Image menu to avoid destructive editing.

From Adobe Help:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/making-quick-tonal-adjustments.html

Remove a color cast using Auto Color

Auto Color adjusts the contrast and color of an image by searching the image to identify shadows, midtones, and highlights. By default, Auto Color neutralizes the midtones using a target color of RGB 128 gray and clips the shadows and highlight pixels by 0.5%. You can change these defaults in the Auto Color Correction Options dialog box.

Do one of the following:
- Click the Levels or Curves icon in the Adjustments panel.
- Choose Layer > New Adjustment Layer and choose either Levels or Curves. Click OK in the New Layer dialog box.
In the Properties panel, Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the Auto button.
Under Algorithms in the Auto Color Correction Options dialog box, select the Find Dark & Light colors option.
Select the Snap Neutral Midtones option.
Specify the shadows and highlights that are clipped, and adjust the target color for the midtones.
Click OK to apply Auto Color.

Note:

You can also choose Image > Auto Color to apply the adjustment directly to the image layer. Keep in mind that this method discards image information and is automatic. You cannot adjust any of the options in the following steps.

Jane

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DanielDayGraphicsAuthor

Participating Frequently

Super easy to explain and/or clarify. I am aware of using a layer(s) in an effort to avoid any permanent destructive adjustments. Although... I would recommend one should probably never overwrite any original, without saving a copy or a layered PSD file. I have been using photoshop since it was released. As a working color expert and retoucher it is very easy to test - and compare against the released version(s) of Photoshop. All beta versions do a horrible job. Always have and it has never been fixed or addressed. The explanation involves simply realizing when an image is dark and or seriously color casted - such as in a scan of an old faded photo. Just a reference example - not exclusive to such imagery. I liken the auto adjust "AUTO COLOR" to what I used to do manually when I ran and operated drum scanners. You're finding the whitest white and balancing it out to a 5C, 3M, 3Y or in RGB a 240RGB value. Same in finding the blackest black - setting values and running a linear curve through the image. I can do all of this manually or using Levels or Curves.. etc. (and any combination of these methods - not to mention Selective Color Correction). BUT I do not want to make this too long. I am attaching an example... only for reference. BETA simply does not work properly in any released version. I just wondered why Adobe has never corrected this.

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DanielDayGraphicsAuthor

Participating Frequently

In this attached reference it is very obvious that the white are casted YELLOW . Same with the black in the carpet - possible (most likely due) to warm, soft light bulbs in the room. It is easy enough to adjust using Levels or get into Curves and move the individual chanennels to account for this CAST and underexposure. AND i can do that. BUT sometimes when advising or assisting someone less accomplished - I might tell them to first simply try and do an AUTO COLOR - it will almost always do an amazing job - and for them... it is more than enough. Try it sometime with an old 1960's-70's photo that was saved in an album (with glue adhesive). Often very faded and in mostly reddish hues. Will sometimes bring it right back to close to original color. YOU can try yourself on this test image. Just do the area of the original in AUTO COLOR in a Beta that you have - and then do the same thing in your released (any version) and marvel at the difference.

Remove a color cast using Auto Color

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