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pmelius
Participant
April 8, 2019
Question

Import color library to CS6

  • April 8, 2019
  • 5 replies
  • 2424 views

I'm not just trying to make a swatch library, I'm trying to make a color book similar to that of Pantone, etc for internal use at our screen printing shop. I want to be able to use the eyedropper tool to auto-select colors, but limit the library to maybe 200 Pantones so that we're not overwhelming the ink dept.

I can make ACB files on this website: AutoCAD Color Book Editor

But when I drop them in C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS6\Presets\Color Books they do not automatically integrate into the color libraries dropdown.

Is this even possible, or is it a pipe dream?

Thanks!

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5 replies

melissapiccone
Community Expert
melissapicconeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 6, 2019

Yay for upgrading! You will love it, I promise. Colors in libraries - themes are limited to 5 colors each. You can also save individual color swatches. You can just leave the library panel popped open and use your eyedropper to pick a color while you are working. I don't have an article or video to point you to, but if I have time and you need it, I might be able to make a quick video for you. Try it and let me know.

Melissa Piccone | Adobe Trainer | Online Courses Author | Fine Artist
F
flopflowes
Participant
May 6, 2019

Oh...I meant I want to use the eyedropper to select a color from my artwork and have it automatically choose the closest swatch. (like it does with pantones)

melissapiccone
Community Expert
melissapicconeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 6, 2019

There is no way that I am aware of where that is possible.

Melissa Piccone | Adobe Trainer | Online Courses Author | Fine Artist
gener7
Community Expert
gener7Community Expert
Community Expert
April 18, 2019

Color Book format (.ACB) is intended only for those companies that actually make Color Books. That's why Adobe has not released the acb spec to customers. The autocad color book editor likely makes files incompatible with Adobe's spec. But just to check, drop them in your Color Book folder under Presets. Edit: No, Adobe does not recognize it. It's just meant for Autocad.

What you might do is to make a swatch library (.aco file) sampling the chosen colors from the Pantone library and labeling each color with the Pantone number. They should have the books and ink mixing guides on their side. You can import those into Photoshop CS6.

F
flopflowes
Participant
May 6, 2019

Know any software that I can make an .aco with?

melissapiccone
Community Expert
melissapicconeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 6, 2019

Nope, I only know how to make .ase files

Melissa Piccone | Adobe Trainer | Online Courses Author | Fine Artist
melissapiccone
Community Expert
melissapicconeCommunity Expert
Community Expert
April 18, 2019

I'm telling' ya... libraries will change your life. Upgrade... you can use the eye dropper to select swatches in your libraries. And, you can share your libraries, so everyone can access the same set of swatches in the same library.

Melissa Piccone | Adobe Trainer | Online Courses Author | Fine Artist
    P
    pmeliusAuthor
    Participant
    April 18, 2019

    Haha I wish it were that easy. Unfortunately, my boss isn't interested in upgrading to the subscription platform since we have 6+ computers that run photoshop.

    melissapiccone
    Community Expert
    melissapicconeCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 18, 2019

    You can create your own palette and save it and then load it in manually...

    in the swatches flyout menu...

    Create Custom Photoshop Color Swatches and Sets

    Melissa Piccone | Adobe Trainer | Online Courses Author | Fine Artist
    P
    pmeliusAuthor
    Participant
    April 18, 2019

    Ah yeah, but then I can't use these with the eyedropper tool to have it automatically select the closest swatch like I would a Pantone Book. That's my main goal.

    melissapiccone
    Community Expert
    melissapicconeCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 8, 2019

    You have to load them manually. If you upgrade, libraries will make this much easier. No more fussing with swatches outside of the apps.

    Melissa Piccone | Adobe Trainer | Online Courses Author | Fine Artist
      P
      pmeliusAuthor
      Participant
      April 18, 2019

      What do you mean by "load them manually"? Thanks for the reply!

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