Hi all!

I downloaded a picture from the internet to make it the background of my document.

I first edit it with Photoshop, and then import it to my document in CorelDraw, and the picture appears a lot darker than it is when view in Windows and Photoshop. The print out result is also the same i.e. printout from Windows Picture and Fax Viewer and Photoshop is same as it is, but when print out from CorelDraw, it is darker.

Is it something wrong with the color management in CorelDraw?

I'm using X4, and have tested it in X3, same result.

Thanks.

 It is likely that when you edited it in PhotoShop and then saved it that you attached a color profile to the file that Corel is interpreting.  Resave the file from Photoshop and make certain it doesn't have a color profile attached. If it is still dark then you have something set wrong in your color management settings or something different than is in Photoshop.

Hi Rikk, thanks for your reply.

When I check again in the Photoshop, in the Save As dialogue box, there is an Save Option of color where the checkbox for "ICC Profile: U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2" is checked. Is that what you mean? What is the function of this and what will be the difference if I save without checking this option?

I attached a comparison between the same artwork (saved without checking the color profile option) in Photoshop and CorelDraw. Please have a look.

Also, if the color management settings are wrong, what is the correct setting then?

Many thanks.

You must use the same color profile in both programs. For example, if you use a Perceptual rendering intent, do the same in the other.

If you do not calibrate your system, you will not see the real colors. If you use the same color profile, you'll see the same colors in CorelDRAW and Photoshop

Hi Ariel!

How do I set the same color profile in both Photoshop and CorelDraw? Where do I set them?

Calibration mean the setting of the color profiles or something else?

Thanks.

David wrote a great eBook about Color Management in CorelDRAW. You might want to get a copy: http://www.keystoneweb.com/users/customgr/book/

Any simpler way?

 Here is a guide on how to do it.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Regards,
Matt

The first step is to choose what profiles you want to use for you RGB and CMYK working color spaces, and the profiles for your peripherals (monitor, printer, etc). Make sure these are available in a known location on your hard-drive, or copy them to the OS's color folder.  Color profiles are usually stored in the locations listed below:

Windows XP / Vista  ->   Windows/System32/spool/drivers/Color
Mac OS (ColorSync 2.6 or later) - >   System Folder: ColorSync Profiles folder

**On the Mac, you may need to copy monitor profiles into a separate "Display" folder if there is one.

** Note ** If PhotoShop is on the same system, use the identical monitor profile in both Draw and Shop. If you are using the two apps on separate computers (or have different video cards, or monitors), you will need to create custom monitor profiles for each system in order to get the on-screen displays to match... even if the monitors are the same make and model the phosphors could be slightly different.
 
PhotoShop Color Setup (Illustrator is similar):
1. Set your monitor profile (PhotoShop uses the OS's device profiles).
PC version- Control Panel -> Display -> Settings tab -> click the Advanced button -> Color Management tab
-- Click the Add button so you can browse to where your desired Monitor profile is stored.
-- Click the Set as Default button
-- Click OK

Mac version - System Preferences -> Displays -> Color
-- If you have copied your profile to the correct folder you should be able to select it from this list

2. Set PhotoShop's color settings.
PhotoShop PC - Edit -> Color Settings
PhotoShop Mac - PhotoShop -> Color Settings

3. Enable the Advanced Mode checkbox.

4. Next you need to choose your RGB working space profile. Click on the RGB profile selection combo-box, scroll to the top of the list and select Load RGB. Now point to the location of your desired Internal RGB Profile (in this example I will use Adobe RGB since its installed into the OS color folder by default with Shop).

5. Next you need to choose your CMYK working space profile. Click on the CMYK profile selection combo-box, scroll to the top of the list and select Load CMYK. Now point to the location the CMYK printer Profile that you will be using for output (in this example I will use HP Indigo Ultrastream CMYK printer profile).

6. Turn off the Color management policies for RGB and CMYK. This way the color won't be converted from any embedded profiles when the file is opened and cause the colors to appear different.

7. Select the Adobe Color Engine.

8. Change the Rendering Intent to Perceptual.

9. Disable "Use Black Point Compensation" and "Use Dither" options, then click OK.
 
10. View -> Proof Setup, select Custom CMYK here.

11. View -> Enable Proof colors.

Draw/Paint Color Setup:
1. Start a new document.

2. Tools, Color Management.

3. Double click on the internal RGB icon (the RGB circles) and change the Rendering Intent to Perceptual.

4. Click on the profile selection combo-box for internal RGB (under the RGB circles) and select the same profile used in PhotoShop (Adobe RGB in my example). If it's not in the list already, use the Get Profile from disk feature to install it.

5. Click on the profile selection combo-box for Separations Printer profile (under the left printer icon) and select the same profile used for the CMYK working space in PhotoShop.  You may want to set your profile for the Composite Printer to be the same as the separations printer so there is no confusion as to which one is being used where.

6. Click on the profile selection combo-box for Monitor profile (under the monitor icon) and select the same profile used for the monitor driver's default profile.

7. Enable the arrows from the Internal RGB icon to the Separations Printer icon (or Composite printer if you like and if its using the same profile as Shop) to the Monitor icon.
**Note** when the arrow connection goes through the printer, it turns printer simulation on... essentially the same thing as Step 11 in the PhotoShop setup. If you want to turn printer simulation off, just have the arrow from Internal RGB to the Monitor icon enabled.

8. Click the + button at the bottom of the dialogue to save the style.

9. Click OK.

Note 1 -> It is recommended that you use the same color engine in both apps when possible.  The only CMM that is common between Shop and Corel is ICM (Microsoft's CMM), or the Adobe CMM if you installed it separately (www.adobe.com).  But if you use the Adobe CMM in Shop and Kodak in Draw, you will not see much of a difference and the printed output values are extremely close.

Note 2 -> As the title indicates, this setup is for printer simulations.. if you want to see the 2 apps matching without printer simulation, just turn off Proof colors in Shop, and in Draw or Paint enable the arrow from the Internal RGB icon to the Monitor icon. Important: For Draw keep in mind that it is using CMYK display by default.. so you will also need to change the blend mode for effects to RGB to see RGB colors on display.

Hi Matt, thanks for your reply. I do have a few question though.

Matt Don:

PhotoShop Color Setup (Illustrator is similar):
3. Enable the Advanced Mode checkbox.

I don't see such checkbox in the Color Settings dialogue box. Does it refer to the "Custom" option in the Settings drop down?

Matt Don:

PhotoShop Color Setup (Illustrator is similar):
4. Next you need to choose your RGB working space profile.

5. Next you need to choose your CMYK working space profile.

Does it matter which profile to use?

Matt Don:

Draw/Paint Color Setup:
6. Click on the profile selection combo-box for Monitor profile (under the monitor icon) and select the same profile used for the monitor driver's default profile.

I could not find the profile used for my monitor (SM540N for Samsung SyncMaster 540N), even I choose install from disk and browse to the profile folder.

Matt Don:

Note 1 -> It is recommended that you use the same color engine in both apps when possible.

When you say color engine, it's the one we set in Color Settings in Shop (only two to choose, Adobe (ACE) or Microsoft ICM). But in Draw, where to set the color engine?

Thanks.

Hi Michael, I've added my comments inline below.

MichaelTadashi:

Hi Matt, thanks for your reply. I do have a few question though.

Matt Don:

PhotoShop Color Setup (Illustrator is similar):
3. Enable the Advanced Mode checkbox.

I don't see such checkbox in the Color Settings dialogue box. Does it refer to the "Custom" option in the Settings drop down?

Sorry, this has changed slightly in newer versions of PhotoShop.  It looks like in CS3 it is now a button on the right side called "More Options"

Matt Don:

PhotoShop Color Setup (Illustrator is similar):
4. Next you need to choose your RGB working space profile.

5. Next you need to choose your CMYK working space profile.

Does it matter which profile to use?

This depends on what type of work you are doing.  Generally Adobe RGB is a good one because it is a large working space that lends itself well to printed output and to image editing.  Many people have different preferences, but for the sake of matching your color between Draw and Shop Adobe RGB should be sufficient.  This was probably your default setting in Shop and you seemed to be happy with Shop's color so lets stick with that.

For CMYK working space, you will probably want to just use whatever Shop's default was.  I think it is US Web Coated (SWOP) v2.  Again, the point is to have the same profiles selected in both apps.  Unless you have custom made profiles or specific manufacturer profiles for your known CMYK destination already in mind just stick with the defaults.

Matt Don:

Draw/Paint Color Setup:
6. Click on the profile selection combo-box for Monitor profile (under the monitor icon) and select the same profile used for the monitor driver's default profile.

I could not find the profile used for my monitor (SM540N for Samsung SyncMaster 540N), even I choose install from disk and browse to the profile folder.

This probably means that none is being used.  Check in the Windows Control Panel -> Display -> Settings -> Advanced -> Color Management  to see if you have a color profile associated with your monitor.   If not, it is worth trying to find one for that monitor model on the web somewhere, or contacting the manufacturer to supply you with one.  A generic canned profile like this is better than using nothing at all, but a custom made color profile to capture the color capability of your monitor is the best for color accuracy.  Once you get a color profile, set it in both the windows control panel, and in Corel Draw's color management settings.

Matt Don:

Note 1 -> It is recommended that you use the same color engine in both apps when possible.

When you say color engine, it's the one we set in Color Settings in Shop (only two to choose, Adobe (ACE) or Microsoft ICM). But in Draw, where to set the color engine?

 In Draw you have to double-click on the RGB circles in the color management dialogue to choose the color engine.  If you want to have Adobe CMM as a choice you will need to download the free module from Adobe here: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=3618

 

Thanks.

Also keep in mind that when printing you need to be sure to use the same color profiles on output as well.  When you print in Shop you will have different color management options such as "Printer handles colors" or "PhotoShop handles colors".  Select PhotoShop handles colors, and choose the correct color profile for your printer (if its not there you will need to find one and install it).  Choose the same printer profile in Draw's color management dialogue from the Composite printer profile selection combo-box.  In Draw's print dialogue you should be able to see the printer profile being used when you go to the "Misc" tab.   There are a few caveats with color managing non-postscript output vs. postscript output.  If you are still having problems it would be helpful to know what type of printer you are using.

Matt

Matt Don:

Matt Don:

PhotoShop Color Setup (Illustrator is similar):
3. Enable the Advanced Mode checkbox.

I don't see such checkbox in the Color Settings dialogue box. Does it refer to the "Custom" option in the Settings drop down?

Sorry, this has changed slightly in newer versions of PhotoShop.  It looks like in CS3 it is now a button on the right side called "More Options"

The "More Options" button display the "Conversion Option" and "Advanced Controls". If that is what you refer to, then I got it.

Matt Don:

Does it matter which profile to use?

Unless you have custom made profiles or specific manufacturer profiles for your known CMYK destination already in mind just stick with the defaults.

"specific manufacturer profiles for your known CMYK destination" means customized profile for the particular printer? Does it come with the printer or we have to buy it?

Matt Don:

Matt Don:

Draw/Paint Color Setup:
6. Click on the profile selection combo-box for Monitor profile (under the monitor icon) and select the same profile used for the monitor driver's default profile.

I could not find the profile used for my monitor (SM540N for Samsung SyncMaster 540N), even I choose install from disk and browse to the profile folder.

This probably means that none is being used.

Under the monitor/display setting, the profile SM540N is set as default and is associated. It just does not show up in Draw's drop down.

Thanks again.

 Custom CMYK printer profile would be the best way to go, but this would also be the more costly route.  You should be able to find a printer profile for your printer on the driver disks, or even online somewhere.  If not, you could just try out some of the printer profiles that are already installed on your system to see how they look... they probably won't be perfect, but you should be able to find one that gives acceptable results.

The Color management section of the Control Panel Display properties shows the monitor color profile's actual file name, in your case it sounds like the file name is SM540N.icm.  In Draw, we view the Model and Manufacturer tags from the color profile, so it may show up as Samsung SyncMaster 450 Monitor or something like this.  Depending on how the tags were written it may look quite different.  If you can e-mail me the actual color profile I can check the tags out and let you know what it will appear as in Draw... I could modify the tags for you as well so the name matches what you expect it to be.

Matt Don:

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6. Turn off the Color management policies for RGB and CMYK. This way the color won't be converted from any embedded profiles when the file is opened and cause the colors to appear different.

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9. Disable "Use Black Point Compensation" and "Use Dither" options, then click OK.
 
<skip>

Hi Matt,

All is right except points above. For PhotoShop in point 6 Preserve Embedded profiles must be turned on always if user do not want to get troubles with colors. In Draw/Paint user must do additional special steps to overcome possible problems. Use Black Point Compensation is MUST in serious color work, especialy if rendering indent is set to Relative Colorimetric...

About custom CMYK profile - not sure that this is best (except if printing press is under hand with custom profile). In general now it is best to use one of the standard industry profile. In Europe this is standard ISO_Coated or ISO_Uncoated profile, in America probably one of the SWOP family profile. Any normal printhouse now keeps to industry standard and printing under these profiles.

BR,
Valdas

Matt Don:

 Custom CMYK printer profile would be the best way to go, but this would also be the more costly route.  You should be able to find a printer profile for your printer on the driver disks, or even online somewhere.  If not, you could just try out some of the printer profiles that are already installed on your system to see how they look... they probably won't be perfect, but you should be able to find one that gives acceptable results.

Costly means we have to buy it? I'm using Canon ImagePROGRAF W8400 and Konica Minolta Bizhub C252. I don't see any profile in the Windows folder that suggests anything related to them. The machines should come with certain software for the color management setting, shouldn't they?

Matt Don:

The Color management section of the Control Panel Display properties shows the monitor color profile's actual file name, in your case it sounds like the file name is SM540N.icm.  In Draw, we view the Model and Manufacturer tags from the color profile, so it may show up as Samsung SyncMaster 450 Monitor or something like this.  Depending on how the tags were written it may look quite different.  If you can e-mail me the actual color profile I can check the tags out and let you know what it will appear as in Draw... I could modify the tags for you as well so the name matches what you expect it to be.

In the drop down in Draw, there is an entry name "Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.", could this be the general profile it detects for the SM540N.icm?

MichaelTadashi:

Costly means we have to buy it?

for exact CMYK color proof you need a calibrated printer, such as Epson Sylus Pro 9000 / 9600

MichaelTadashi:

I'm using Canon ImagePROGRAF W8400 and Konica Minolta Bizhub C252. I don't see any profile in the Windows folder that suggests anything related to them. The machines should come with certain software for the color management setting, shouldn't they?

the drivers disk should include a color profiles for your printer. In any case, you can download them from the manufacturer's webpage