UPDATE: New insights into Adobe Photoshop’s document tab symbols reveal critical information that could save you time and enhance color accuracy—don’t ignore them! If you’ve spotted an asterisk or hash symbol and brushed it off, you might be facing bigger issues down the line.
October 20, 2023—In an urgent video from expert Alex Cooke, the implications of these tiny marks in your Photoshop tab are broken down, showing how they can signal problems that derail your workflow. The warning is clear: the asterisk indicates a discrepancy between what’s displayed on your screen and what is saved to your disk.
This is vital information for anyone who has ever closed a file mistakenly or faced a crash. The asterisk appears quickly, often after seemingly minor changes, such as toggling a layer’s visibility. Ignoring it could lead to confusion when your file looks off later.
The situation becomes even more complex when an asterisk isn’t next to the filename but instead located within the brackets. This symbol indicates a color management issue, highlighting the difference between your document’s embedded profile and Photoshop’s working space. Understanding terms like sRGB and Adobe RGB (1998) is crucial, especially when combining files from various sources.
Cooke also addresses a common frustration: why a photo may appear differently in Adobe Lightroom compared to Photoshop. This discrepancy often stems from differing color spaces assumed by each application, which might not indicate an error on your display but rather a difference in settings.
Additionally, the hash symbol inside the brackets represents untagged RGB files, meaning Photoshop lacks an embedded profile to interpret the image correctly. This can occur with screenshots, web images, or older files that have had metadata stripped. While Photoshop can still display the image, it operates on assumptions that may not align with the file’s original intent. If you’re involved in print work or brand matching, this is a key consideration that should prompt a slowdown in your editing process.
Dewis outlines straightforward methods for correcting these issues in Photoshop, emphasizing that these symbols are status indicators rather than outright errors. By reacting with intent, rather than habit, you can navigate your workflow more effectively.
The video also touches on how working spaces are set and how modifying them can make certain warnings disappear, even if the underlying choices still warrant examination. For professionals working with files from various clients, stock sites, and different cameras, the Photoshop tab serves as a quick diagnostic tool.
Don’t miss this critical update; check out the full video for essential tips on maximizing your Photoshop efficiency and ensuring color accuracy. This information is vital for anyone serious about digital editing, and sharing it could help others avoid costly mistakes.
Stay informed and enhance your editing skills by learning more about these crucial symbols in Photoshop right now!
