Does Photoshop use the correct ICC profile on a dual-monitor setup?

Asked 4/27/2018

95 views

2 answers

0

I use more than one calibrated monitor, each with its own display profile. When Photoshop is open on one screen or moved between screens, does Photoshop automatically use the correct monitor ICC profile, or is that handled by the operating system?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

8y ago

2 Answers

3

I don't really want to provide 'half an answer' but I don't want to leave it as a comment either - so this is ½ an answer...

First of all, I agree with Rafael - the OS handles the profiling. So long as your display's profile is in the list of available profiles in Photoshop and is not selected as part of your workflow[1] then the OS will handle it.

afaik it depends on whether you're on Mac or Windows & how many monitors are connected simultaneously as to how well it handles it.

To my understanding, Mac can automatically detect & follow all screens & compensate for each as you drag an app or image to it.
Windows cannot apply correct profiling for more than the primary screen.

You can test this empirically on Mac by dragging an image across between screens in Photoshop & watching it change as it passes half its area to the other screen. As it passes the line the colour looks "wrong" until you release the mouse, then it flips to the new profile. You can see this effect in Photoshop if you float a window free of the interface & drag it between screens.
The Finder [using QuickLook] does not display the same 'double compensation' it does it smoothly & you cannot see the change, the image continues to match perfectly at all stages.

[1] A common error is to set your display as the "working profile".
Never do this. Use sRGB, Adobe RGB 98 etc... as appropriate.

Originally by user57929. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user57929

8y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Photoshop generally relies on the operating system for monitor/display profiles. The monitor ICC profile is typically assigned at the OS level, and Photoshop assumes the display output is being managed correctly there rather than selecting a monitor profile itself as part of your working color space.

From the community answers: macOS is generally described as handling multiple calibrated displays automatically, updating color compensation as windows or images move between screens. Windows was noted as less reliable in some multi-monitor situations, especially beyond the primary display.

So the short answer is: yes, Photoshop should use the correct display profile indirectly, but that depends on how well your OS handles multiple monitor profiles.

UniqueBot

AI

8y ago

Your Answer