Skip to main content
C
Chris33370797xpal
Participant
May 15, 2024
Question

Illustrator file placed in Photoshop shifts colors. Both files have same color profile.

  • May 15, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 1657 views

This is an extremely frustrating issue. I'm placing an AI file into a PSD file and the colors shift subtley. Both files share the same Display P3 color profile and are synced via Bridge. At my work we have experienced this issue numerous times and we are getting complaints from our client about it. These programs are 30+ years old and there should be no issue placing an AI file into a PSD. I have tried numerous troubleshooting steps to no avail. The only solution I have come up with is to export the AI file to a generic SVG web vector format. That solved the color shift issue and allowed the file to still be an editable vector opening in AI. 

 

Adobe, please fix this issue. I'm using the latest versions of both programs. 

The native files should not be color shifting. 

    2 replies

    M
    mel31877633zuyj
    Participant
    June 27, 2025

    try to use this setting in illustrator before you drag your ai files to psd

    D Fosse
    Community Expert
    D FosseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 15, 2024

    Please show screenshots.

     

    Just to be sure, since you say "synced via Bridge" (which is irrelevant): Do both files have the same color profile embedded? Not working spaces, but embedded profile.

    C
    Chris33370797xpalAuthor
    Participant
    May 15, 2024
    Both files have the same Display P3 color profile assigned.

    Both documents were created on my computer using the same Display P3
    working space profile and both files have had the same Display P3 profile
    manually assigned as well. The colors were sampled before and after. We've
    done numerous troubleshooting tests.

    Copying and pasting the AI file into a PSD makes the colors shift slightly.
    The color shift is even more pronounced when dragging and dropping the AI
    file into a PSD.

    For example, a yellow color, fdf551, will shift to fcf551 when the AI art
    is copied and pasted into the PSD.

    The same fdf551 color will shift more dramatically to f3e955 when the AI
    file dragged and dropped into a PSD.

    All of these files are using the same profile and were created on the same
    computer with the same working color space assigned across the
    Adobe programs. The profiles have been manually assigned as well as a test.

    This is also happening to my coworker on his computer with files he is
    creating independently.

    We are both using the latest versions of the Adobe products.

    Saving the AI file as an SVG and placing it in the PSD works to retain the
    correct color values. This should also work with the native AI format, but
    it does not. That is the issue.
    C
    Chris33370797xpalAuthor
    Participant
    May 16, 2024

    As for dragging and dropping, I've always said it's a bad habit, and I stand by that.

     

    The problem is that you're not always getting the original file, but a "proxy" image kept cached for preview display. I know that MacOS does this a lot, Windows less so, but it does happen if you, say, drag from a web browser in Windows. You get an untagged image with monitor RGB numbers. In effect - a screenshot. That will usually be very wrong.

     

    Now, I did try to drag from Windows Explorer, and got exactly the same result as by placing an Ai smart object in the proper way - one number off. So no, this I can not reproduce.

     

    I did make one interesting observation: if I kill all color management, and use untagged files, this numerical shift does not happen. So it's tied to the color management engine. Why that would be any different between Ai and PS I have no idea.

     

    Apparently this is what happens with your SVG, which you presumably exported without an embedded profile. So again - this is dangerous territory. Working without color management is walking a tightrope without a balancing rod. Again, it will look fine inside the Apple Display P3 bubble, but you simply don't know what happens outside it.

     

    But as far as I'm concerned - drag and drop at your own risk.


    Respectfully, I want to be able to drag and drop as we are working in a
    Mac-only production environment and it has been common practice for decades
    without issue. The software obviously has a bug that is changing the color
    now, for whatever reason. It was not an issue a few months ago, but now it
    is. I'm not here to argue Mac vs PC, or about Display P3. I just want the
    bug fixed.

    I don't know if you have any connection to Adobe or can affect their
    decision to correct bugs like this. I just want it to work like it did
    before so I don't catch heat from my client for having errors in my
    deliverables. I was hoping posting here would help bring the issue to light
    so it could be fixed.

    I'm glad you at least were able to replicate one of the issues. I imagine
    you need to be on a Mac to do the same with the bigger drag and drop AI
    color shift issue.

    Adobe, are you listening? Anyone there?
    Please fix the color shift bugs.
    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices