Strange eyedropper behavior

[K268224470umd]

Hi, I am encountering an unexpected eyedropper behavior on and off in multiple files, can't pin down what it is.

The sampling is set to Current Layer with Point Sample. But when I sample on the current layer, the color is off(so far only brighter).

Even if I flatten the entire image, the eyedropper sampling is wrong. However, if I then duplicate the flattened layer to a new document, then the sampling behaves as expected. Restarting photoshop also seems to resolve the issue, but would be nice to avoid doing that all the time.

Thankful for any ideas!

[PECourtejoie]

Hi, Is it an RGB, 8bits image?

Are you using an HDR or 10bits display?

I'd first reset the tool via a right-click in its option bar icon.

 

I would also try to restore your preferences to the default using this manual method:
https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually it lets you keep a copy on the desktop that you can use to revert the process.

[K268224470umd]

Hi PE, thanks for your reply! I am not sure what type of monitor I have, it is provided by work. The monitor affecting the behaviour of the eyedropper is a known issue? Worth noting then that I was recently given a new computer and the issue persisted - but I did retain the monitor...

Resetting the tool does not resolve the issue.

[PECourtejoie]

Hi, again, if you want help, please provide more information: we do not know the version of Photoshop you have, the version of Windows 10, etc. please post the contents of Photoshop's Help>System Info... menu, so that we get to know your OS, its version, the exact version of Photoshop you are running, the date of the GPU driver, etc.

The monitor in itself does not change how the eyedropper, but if the monitor and the graphic card support 10 bits, Photoshop can be set to support it, and it might change the underlying math behind the eyedropper, it was a wild guess. Which monitor is it?

Did you try to set the preferences to default with the technique I suggested?

What is different with that document that works and the one that does not?

Please also post a screen capture of your color settings, with an open image that produces the issue.

[K268224470umd]

Hi again PE, thanks for the quick reply. After resetting the preference manually, so far so good... but since the issue has persisted from my old computer to the current one, I suspect it will come up again. Will post system info and the like if/when it happens! Thank you!

[PECourtejoie]

If you do run into it, please also do a video capture of your screen!

[NB, colourmanagement]

Perhaps try resetting Photoshop preferences?

(read this entire post before acting please)

Resetting restores Photoshop's internal preferences, which are saved when Photoshop closes.

If they become corrupt then various issues can occur.

Here’s some info on how to do that:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

Manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state: 

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually

The user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS.

To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see here for how to access hidden user library files.

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

Unexpected behavior may indicate damaged preferences. Restoring preferences to their default settings is a good idea when trying to troubleshoot unexpected behaviors in Photoshop. check out the video

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#reset_preferences

Learn how to access and modify Photoshop preferences and customize per your frequent workflows

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

And here’s an earlier forum discussion as an aid to understanding

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/quick-tips-how-to-reset-photoshop-pre...

You may want to backup your settings and custom presets, brushes & actions before restoring Photoshop's preferences.

Here is general info about that:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#BackupPhotoshoppreferences

I hope this helps
neil barstow, colourmanagement net :: adobe forum volunteer:: co-author: 'getting colour right'
google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

[K268224470umd]

Hi Neil, I did reset my preferences as per advice PECourtejoie above. TBC if the problem is gone for good or if it will return.

[Chuck Uebele]

Does the sample size have any affect on this? If you're on a point sample size, you could get a pixel that's just off due to noise, or is this happening with solid colors?

[K268224470umd]

Hi Chuck, I would say it is not a sample size issue. As described above, copying the image to a new file resolves the issue without changing any tool settings.