Why can’t I convert back form CMYK to RGB?

SS
Posted By
Selwyn_Silberblatt
Jan 20, 2007
Views
277
Replies
2
Status
Closed
I noticed that if convert from RGB to CMYK, I cannot then convert back to RGB (Or if I can – the monitor doesn’t display it). If I go to "OPEN" on the history palette, then the image returns to the original RGB.

What is going on? Why can’t I convert back and forth from RGB to CMYK?

Thanks,

Selwyn

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P
PeterK.
Jan 20, 2007
You can convert back to RGB. To know what colour mode you are in, check the window title and it will tell you if it’s RGB or CMYK. I’m guessing that what is happening is you are converting to CMYK, which simulates the more limited colour gamut of inks on a printing press. The very bright, saturated colours found in RGB mode cannot be reproduced on a press without using special inks, and once you’ve converted to CMYK you’ve lost those colours. You can still convert back to RGB, except the conversion will then be based on the visual colours you see in your CMYK image. You cannot go back to the bright colours you originally had. CMYK conversions should only be done as a final step once the file is ready to go to press. If you want to work in RGB and see a preview of what your image will look like in CMYK without actually converting it, hit ctrl-y to "View-Proof Colours"
SS
Selwyn_Silberblatt
Jan 20, 2007
Thanks Peter. Your explanation is very clear, and very useful.

Selwyn

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