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drstir
drstir
Inspiring
August 5, 2021
Answered

Color picking options

  • August 5, 2021
  • 5 replies
  • 2119 views

Sorry to ask a question that's probably been asked a thousand times on here, but can anyone recommend a good color picker - to get the rgb/hex values of a pixel?

 

I'd also be grateful for any advice on how I'd go about it in Photoshop. Last time I just opened a screengrab, and used the picker tool. But that's a bit long-winded. I'm sure there used to be a tool within Adobe that did it. But I can't find it anywhere.

 

Must be an age thing...

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer drstir

Many thanks to everyone who responded. It's much appreciated. I finally managed to find what I was looking for - Apple Color Picker app. God knows why I couldn't find it before!

5 replies

drstir
drstirAuthorCorrect answer
Inspiring
August 6, 2021

Many thanks to everyone who responded. It's much appreciated. I finally managed to find what I was looking for - Apple Color Picker app. God knows why I couldn't find it before!

rob day
Community Expert
rob dayCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 5, 2021

to get the rgb/hex values of a pixel?

 

If you are looking for HEX values, I assume this is for Web/HTML work, so sRGB?

 

Apple’s Digital Color Meter set to Display in sRGB seems to match Photoshop’s sRGB values. Here my Photoshop Working RGB Space is set to sRGB, so with no document’s open the PS Color Picker RGB values are sRGB. Everything I try matches, here are 2 random samples with matching values:

 

    TheDigitalDog
    TheDigitalDog
    Inspiring
    August 5, 2021
    @drstir wrote:

    I'd also be grateful for any advice on how I'd go about it in Photoshop. Last time I just opened a screengrab, and used the picker tool. But that's a bit long-winded. I'm sure there used to be a tool within Adobe that did it. But I can't find it anywhere.

     

     

    Make a screen grab. 

    ASSIGN  your display profile!

    Open in PhotoShop; again, you must. 

    Sample value as outlined below. 

    Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
      Warren Heaton
      Community Expert
      Warren HeatonCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 5, 2021

      Do you mean something other than the Eyedropper Tool?

      https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/tool-techniques/eyedropper-tool.html

       

       

      The Info panel shows a First Color Readout and a Second Color Readout.  They default to RGB and CMYK, but you can go into the Panel Options and change that.  You might want RGB and Web Color.  This will display the pixel color values as you hover in the Info panel.

       

       

      drstir
      drstirAuthor
      Inspiring
      August 5, 2021

      Thanks for the response. But I'm trying to capture the colour values of pixels outside of Phoptoshop - on my Mac desktop. And the eye dropper doesn't seem able to do that. Unless I'm missing something obvious...

      TheDigitalDog
      TheDigitalDog
      Inspiring
      August 5, 2021
      @drstir wrote:

      Thanks for the response. But I'm trying to capture the colour values of pixels outside of Phoptoshop - on my Mac desktop. And the eye dropper doesn't seem able to do that. Unless I'm missing something obvious...

       

      You can't do that (correctly). You need a color managed application that examines the pixel in a defined color space. 

      There is the Apple Digital Color Meter that some believe does this; it does not. 

      Apple's Digital Color Meter utility** or similar to 'measure' color, it can't tell you anything about the actual color numbers of documents inside say Photoshop. 

      **This is not measuring anything. It is taking two or three bits of information:
      1. The color that an app is actually outputting to a pixel. i.e. an RGB level.
      2. The colorspace that the app says should be used for that pixel for ColorSync to correctly display it (defaults to sRGB if the app doesn't specify).
      3. The ICC profile associated with the display.

      For this reason, a mismatch in numbers is expected. 

      Take the pixel you wish inside Photoshop, hopefully it has a defined color space. Use the Eyedropper and set it for 1x1 and you'll get the exact RGB or better, Lab values. If you increase the sampling, it averages the readings (so 5x5 is an average of 25 pixel values). 

      Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"
      KShinabery212
      Community Expert
      KShinabery212Community Expert
      Community Expert
      August 5, 2021

      I mean what are you trying to do first?

      If you are trying to pull Coca-Cola red from a photo... then forget it.  You need to find the hex color online. 

      That is just an example.

       

      Or are you just trying to find a nice color selection? If so then use Adobe Capture with the image on your phone.

       

      Let us know and then we can give you some ideas.

      Let's connect on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/kshinabery/
        drstir
        drstirAuthor
        Inspiring
        August 5, 2021

        It's the first I'm trying to do. There used to be a desktop app that would allow you magnify over anything on your desktop and it would identify the colour values. Seems to have vanished without trace.

        melissapiccone
        Community Expert
        melissapicconeCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        August 5, 2021

        I remember that - from the mid 90's, lol. Have no idea what it was called and no idea if there is something else out there. Just take a screenshot and bring it into PS and use the color picker. 

        Melissa Piccone | Adobe Trainer | Online Courses Author | Fine Artist
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