Expert: Amy - 12/14/2006

Question
when I have a picture open in photoshop, at the top of the window it gives the
name, size in % and in parentheses the color/bits channel.  But then sometimes
next to the bits per channel there is either an * or a # symbol.  What do these
mean?  I know it has to do something with color profiles. Are there any other
symbols I should look for?

Answer
Hi Robin,

Since I am listed as an Illustrator expert, I can't promise you that my answer to your question is accurate...  but as far as I know...

The title bar can contain more info...  

Next to the real color mode of the image it displays the Soft Proofing Profile you've chosen (SWOP, for example).
Like this:   RGB/US Web Coated SWOP V2

It will also display the name of the Layer or Channel you are working on at the moment.

A copyright symbol will appear as the first character if the image is copyrighted.

It can also display the words Layer Mask or Quick Mask if you are working with masks.

# is used when the document is not color-managed.
* means that the document's color space is different than the working color space
No symbols means that document's color space is the same as the working color space.

If you aren't familiar with "working color modes" check out your color settings!  I think this is in Edit > Color Settings.

Well, I believe that's about all the info you'll find in the title bar... oh, except for if you pause over the title bar of a saved image, the path will be displayed.  This is helpful for when you aren't quite sure if you're working on the right image.

I hope this helped!
Amy