MisterMister

Lately, when I save an image for the Web, I notice a significant difference in the color of the saved image and the one I originally designed in Photoshop.

The saved image seems faded, washed out, while the one I made in Photoshop looks crisp, clean, and very colorful.

I have spent a great deal of time fiddling with the tools and setting in the Save for Web dialogue box, but I can't seem to overcome this problem.

I would appreciate any suggestions or advice anyone has. Have you experienced this problem and figured out how to solve it?


NOTE: I wanted to add that I just recently installed a new scanner, and it was only after installing the scanner that I started to get the following warning message whenever I open Photoshop:

The monitor profile "" appears to be defective. Please rerun your monitor calibration software.

I thought I should mention this, because the Adobe website recommends that I reset my monitor calibration using an application called Adobe Gamma. Anyone know where I can get this Adobe Gamma program?

Also, I have never had to set my monitor calibration settings. Any help in this area would be appreciated also.

wbiss

Quick and dirty 'cause I gotta run.... Adobe Gamma is automatically installed when you install Photoshop, Doug. Go to your control panel and you'll see the programme!

Also, I don't have a lot of experience with your particular problem because when designing for web, I always choose the web-safe colour palette.

I'm confident that there are others here with greater experience/expertise who will be sure to jump in and help you out.

MisterMister

I managed to fix the color problem - not completely satisfied with the results, but at least now what I see on the Web matches what I see in Photoshop.

My monitor is a KDS Visual Sensations VS-7p. I went to their web site to check out if they had any documentation or perhaps some downloads (drivers, etc.). There was no help there for calibration or anything.

So I tried using the Nokia test program from this web page: http://www.freepctech.com/rode/004.shtml

I would like to know how to make a color profile or whatever it is Photoshop keeps asking for. Seems to be a real pain-in-the-arse, whatever it is.

Blinky2004

ICM is what you're looking for Doug. And your monitor manufacturer SHOULD have one for you; either in ICM format or as a driver install.

You can't make the file yourself. It's made by the manufacturer.

If you don't have one, then try using the Adobe sRGB profile, within Photoshop (not for your system). That's designed for Web graphics.

As for the colour/quality loss... that's life, on the Web... it's called compression... you don't have to love it, but get to know it.

Your initial problem sounds like your scanner installed it's own profile and i think that's what PS was whining about. Open your Display properties, and click on Advanced, then Color Management. See what's listed in the "Color Profile" box.

MisterMister

I don't know what ICM is, but I did go to the KDS website and downloaded the drivers for my monitor. It said on the website that the driver file was Windows XP compliant, but when I went to install the drivers a warning message popped up telling me they were NOT compliant (the warning message said they were not "digitally signed" and therefore would cause harm to the system).

Photoshop is already set to the sRGB profile, Mark - and I still get the "...monitor profile "" appears to be defective..." message.

wbiss

I don't know what ICM is either [confused] , but I know that you can quickly and easily create a color profile using Adobe Gamma.

I hope that this brief article is of some help to you, Doug http://epaperpress.com/monitorcal/index.html

MisterMister

The article was cool, Wendy, but the Adobe Gamma program is pretty useless. I have tried several dozen times to use it, but the results and the method of setting them leave much to be desired.

What helped me the most was the Nokia Test program (the program can be aquired from the link I already provided above). This was a lot more in-depth and helpful than the Adobe thing.

First off, the things the Adobe Gamma program asks I haven't a clue to answer in the first place - like the daylight warmth settings, etc. Also, having nothing to compare my results to (I have to have something that looks "correct" before I can compare it to something that looks "bad") I haven't a clue if I'm getting the correct results or not.

The Nokia Test program was the biggest help, but thanks anyway.

Blinky2004

That's not true Doug, not at all. All it means is that MS hasn't
stamped" them that's all... install them.

retired_paddza

Well, take heart... color calibration is one of the more finicky and deceptively complex things to do. The first few times you do it, it will seem confusing and probably turn out incorrect.

Some things to keep in mind. LCD's done deal the same way as CRT's do. They don't really have the same ability to shift white points as CRT's so you are really just balancing the color and not so much of the luminocity.

CRT's need to warm up for at least 30 minutes before you start the process or the settings will be wrong.

Make sure you don't have a crazy desktop pattern. I like to set mine to solid 50% grey and change my windows to the same so that they don't influence my color perception.

Make sure the lighting in the room is how you normally work. If you don't have that light on usually, turn it off. If you usually work at night with only a scented candle... calibrate under those circumstances. Bear in mind that if you are working like that, you might want to consider changing your work habits as a lack or overabundance of light can adversely effect your color perception anyway.

If you have a specific color profile for your monitor, make sure it's loaded and that you are using those phosphers as a starting point in Adobe Gamma (or whatever color calibrator you use).

Don't be afraid to recalibrate. Just rename your profiles with something that you'll remember. Since you should recalibrate frequently (every 3-6 months for a new monitor, more often for an older one) I like to use a date system. I list the method and date of calibration. So Adobe Gamma calibrated on February 10th would be AG 02.10.03 while color sync calibrated becomes CS 02.10.03.

Make sure you change the color settings in your software to match. You can color calibrate until pigs fly, but if you don't tell Photoshop to use those settings, it's useless. Go into your color settings in Photoshop and tell it that it needs to use the correct profiles for color.

If you are using the "expert" or "advanced" mode in your color calibrator, quit it. Until you really learn how things become effected by the calibration, stick with the step by step method.

That's about all I can think of right off... aside from maybe having someone who knows the ropes walk you through it once or twice. I spent a whole day on color calibration in my Photoshop class making sure my students could at least walk through the process and get some noticable results out of it.

I hope that helps some. [confused]

MisterMister

Mark, I did install them, but it screwed with my system and I had to revert back to the drivers XP originally used.

MB, while I appreciate the long post, I haven't a clue what you're talking about. If you explain HOW to do what you're talking about, then it will be more helpful. For instance - tell me where to find my "color calibrator", or how to get one and how to use it.

Obviously you are one who could "walk me through it", if you so choose. I would appreciate it. Thanks.