Skip to main content
D
D26749497aj3f
Participant
March 7, 2023
Answered

RGB color change when exporting layers as files

  • March 7, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 2332 views

Hello there, I noticed today, that when I use "export layers as files" in PS, then the RGB value of the exported images is different. I have a single color object, of RGB values 73, 93, 102. After exporting the object color is slightly different - RGB 61,93,103.

In the "export as layers" box, there is not many settings, only if I wish to embed an ICC profile, but the result is the same no matter if I click this option on or off.

When I export the layers one by one manually - then there is no change in color.

Any idea why is this happening? I really use these export layers as files a lot for my work, it saves a ton of time..

Thank you..

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer D26749497aj3f

Thank you for your comment! Yes, Layers to Files (my PS is not in English so sorry for the bad translation).

I just did some more digging and experimenting with exports and I think found a mistake I made - I did not check the color profile when making a new file, and I really did believe that I had set my color profiles as a default for all documents. So the files were converted from and to sRGB etc. This color management is just so tricky.

I need some good tutorials on this subject 🙂

 

1 reply

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 7, 2023

Do you mean File > Export > Layers to Files? 

What file format and settings do you use? 

 

Can you post screenshots or provide the files? 

D
D26749497aj3fAuthorCorrect answer
Participant
March 7, 2023

Thank you for your comment! Yes, Layers to Files (my PS is not in English so sorry for the bad translation).

I just did some more digging and experimenting with exports and I think found a mistake I made - I did not check the color profile when making a new file, and I really did believe that I had set my color profiles as a default for all documents. So the files were converted from and to sRGB etc. This color management is just so tricky.

I need some good tutorials on this subject 🙂

 

    D
    D26749497aj3fAuthor
    Participant
    March 7, 2023
    quote

    I am working on MacBook Pro and as a default, my PS color profile was set to RGB monitor - display. 🙂


    By @D26749497aj3f

     

    See, that's what I mean...you should never do that. The document profile and the monitor profile are two different things, serving different purposes. Each in its own place.

     

    The document profile should always be a standard color space like sRGB, Adobe RGB or ProPhoto.

     

    The monitor profile should ideally be one made by a calibrator, based on measurement of the actual display in question - but if you don't have a calibrator you can use the generic system default display profile. Just as long as it's understood it won't be entirely accurate, just close enough.

     

    Then Photoshop converts, on the fly, from one into the other, and those converted numbers are sent to screen. That way the file is reproduced accurately on screen.

     

    The most important setting in Photoshop Color Settings is the "Policies" setting. This should always be "preserve embedded profiles" (that's the default). With this setting, the embedded document profile travels with the file and most importantly, it will override the working space. This is the way Photoshop is designed and intended to work.

     

    Special note:

    A lot of Mac users use Image P3/Display P3 (they're the same) as document profile nowadays. This really undermines the whole principle of color management, because it really is a generic monitor profile, but so many do it now that you have to start treating it as a "standard" color space.


    I agree, I found it stupid to set my color space according to my monitor, whatever it was.

    My confusion then was whether should I choose sRGB, AdobeRGB, or the one I am using now.

    Thanks for explaining it to me 🙂

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices