darktable-org
Adhere to the system colouration.
Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
Darktable looks utterly different to every application on my OS. It's jarring, and I can't think of any advantage of its custom appearance. Specifically, I sometimes have my OS set to a high contrast theme which Darktable can't match, and even when I don't, the inconsistency makes using the application unintuitive.
Describe the solution you'd like
Utilize the colouration applied by the OS/DE:
- On Windows, utilize https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/uwp/api/windows.ui.viewmanagement.uisettings.getcolorvalue?view=winrt-26100 (as https://stackoverflow.com/revisions/69815666/2 describes).
- On GNOME or KDE, use the values in the
gtkrc(or better yet, on KDE, adhere to the current.colorfile's INI-formatted values).
Alternatives
Utilize a GUI toolkit which automatically does so (like Qt). This is surely infeasible.
Additional context
- ~~The current status-quo appears to cause issues at times, like
unix.stackexchange.com/revisions/65088/1.~~ - I'm not whatsoever suggesting CSD like https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/issues/13555#issue-1573410812 does. Adherence to the DE's appearance in any manner except colouration is outside the purview of this issue. I also happen to not be fond of non-SSD.
darktables themes are designed to avoid false color perception - so i doubt there’s a benefit in using arbitrary color schemes not designed with image color perception in scope …
Using an alternative gui toolkit isn’t a realistic solution - too much effort that doesn’t pay in into the core functionality of darktable…
It's jarring, and I can't think of any advantage of its custom appearance.
While it's not that common in FLOSS applications, having custom colors is a very common practice in multimedia programs (as mentioned by @MStraeten to try to avoid color perception problems on edit sessions).
Look at Da Vinci Resolve for example - it has its own dark color theme as well. If custom GUI colors cause some issues (like the one about file dialog, but it’s very old), those are to be fixed, not the color theme. So either specify what problems are there, or close this issue.
@parafin, the problems are those which I've listed in the relevant heading's contents, which I've now elaborated on. The "additional information" is merely as described, though I'm thankful for the correction.
https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/issues/17378#issuecomment-2311393424
@pitbuster, I do in that case understand the default perhaps being a custom colour scheme, but I don't utilize Darktable for modifications much, and certainly not to the extent that colour perception is of enough consequence that I would want my high contrast theme overridden. I primarily use Darktable to import into applications.
https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/issues/17378#issuecomment-2311044276
@MStraeten, you needn't concern yourself with that - it was noted solely because the template requested it, and I explicitly listed it in the issue as infeasible.
I think high contrast theme was recently added to darktable, if that’s the problem you’re having. Just using default colors will probably look very ugly, because GUI is designed with custom colors. There isn’t really any value in supporting native DE theme, what problem will that solve?
I think high contrast theme was recently added to darktable, if that’s the problem you’re having.
@parafin, each user theme, especially each high contrast theme, differs, because different people shall find different colours easier to parse. Even Windows allows you to customise solely the HC themes for this reason, despite their hostility to user theming.
There isn’t really any value in supporting native DE theme, what problem will that solve?
I've already provided rationale, so I don't understand the question. Would repeating it summarily or more concisely be of use, perhaps?
This might be more useful - as an example of what I request being implemented:
-
GIMP recently switched from GTK2 with custom themes to GTK3, which adheres to the system colours via the
gtkrcon KDE 5/6, and directly on GNOME 30/40. -
KdenLive allows the user to choose a theme, but also provides a "Default" option, which adheres to the system's colour theme (and widget style, in its case):
So it is about high contrast theme? Well, as I said, just using default colors will most likely look ugly. Your best bet is to write your own theme, there is a text field for that in the preferences.
Your best bet is to write your own theme, there is a text field for that in the preferences.
@parafin, even if I did, that would merely affect me, which isn't acceptable. If I have this problem, others do.
So it is about high contrast theme?
The scope of this issue encompasses all that I've aforementioned, which includes more than merely HC themes. ...that is, non-HC themes too.
Well, as I said, just using default colors will most likely look ugly.
Why? They don't for the rest of my OS.
darktable never used default colors, so noone ever checked or cared how it will look with them when designing the GUI. I can’t imagine this process producing good results with default DE theme.
High contrast theme is about accessibility. This is a valid topic, and, as I mentioned, high contrast theme was recently added. Sure, it’s not much, but there aren’t many people working on darkable as a whole. GIMP and kdenlive you mentioned surely have much larger development teams.
As for non-HC themes - you’ve already been given explanation and example of why custom colors are needed for applications like darktable. Just because you’re using it just as a file format converter (if I understood correctly) doesn’t mean it should be designed for that purpose. One application can’t and shouldn’t try to fit all use-cases.
But maybe some darktable developer will take time and effort to try your idea of using default colors. It’s just that I don’t think that quality of the results will be acceptable for inclusion in main codebase… Just my opinion.
As for non-HC themes - you’ve already given explanation and example of why custom colors are needed for applications like darktable. Just because you’re using it just as a file format converter (if I understood correctly) doesn’t mean it should be designed for that purpose. One application can’t and shouldn’t try to fit all use-cases.
@parafin, I believe that I've aforestated that I would consider this to apply irrespectively, because I don't ever perform modifications so minor that colour misperception would be of significant enough consequence to justify a custom theme (and if it were, I would apply one to my entire DE, so that the effect would not be reduced when switching between applications side-by-side).
darktable never used default colors, so noone ever checked or cared how it will look with them when designing the GUI. I can’t imagine this process producing good results with default DE theme.
As an example, /usr/share/color-schemes/BreezeDark.colors contains the undermentioned RGB values:
[ColorEffects:Disabled] Color=56,56,56 ColorAmount=0 ColorEffect=0 ContrastAmount=0.65 ContrastEffect=1 IntensityAmount=0.1 IntensityEffect=2 [ColorEffects:Inactive] ChangeSelectionColor=true Color=112,111,110 ColorAmount=0.025 ColorEffect=2 ContrastAmount=0.1 ContrastEffect=2 Enable=false IntensityAmount=0 IntensityEffect=0 [Colors:Button] BackgroundAlternate=30,87,116 BackgroundNormal=49,54,59 DecorationFocus=61,174,233 DecorationHover=61,174,233 ForegroundActive=61,174,233 ForegroundInactive=161,169,177 ForegroundLink=29,153,243 ForegroundNegative=218,68,83 ForegroundNeutral=246,116,0 ForegroundNormal=252,252,252 ForegroundPositive=39,174,96 ForegroundVisited=155,89,182 [Colors:Complementary] BackgroundAlternate=30,87,116 BackgroundNormal=42,46,50 DecorationFocus=61,174,233 DecorationHover=61,174,233 ForegroundActive=61,174,233 ForegroundInactive=161,169,177 ForegroundLink=29,153,243 ForegroundNegative=218,68,83 ForegroundNeutral=246,116,0 ForegroundNormal=252,252,252 ForegroundPositive=39,174,96 ForegroundVisited=155,89,182 [Colors:Header] BackgroundAlternate=42,46,50 BackgroundNormal=49,54,59 DecorationFocus=61,174,233 DecorationHover=61,174,233 ForegroundActive=61,174,233 ForegroundInactive=161,169,177 ForegroundLink=29,153,243 ForegroundNegative=218,68,83 ForegroundNeutral=246,116,0 ForegroundNormal=252,252,252 ForegroundPositive=39,174,96 ForegroundVisited=155,89,182 [Colors:Header][Inactive] BackgroundAlternate=49,54,59 BackgroundNormal=42,46,50 DecorationFocus=61,174,233 DecorationHover=61,174,233 ForegroundActive=61,174,233 ForegroundInactive=161,169,177 ForegroundLink=29,153,243 ForegroundNegative=218,68,83 ForegroundNeutral=246,116,0 ForegroundNormal=252,252,252 ForegroundPositive=39,174,96 ForegroundVisited=155,89,182 [Colors:Selection] BackgroundAlternate=30,87,116 BackgroundNormal=61,174,233 DecorationFocus=61,174,233 DecorationHover=61,174,233 ForegroundActive=252,252,252 ForegroundInactive=161,169,177 ForegroundLink=253,188,75 ForegroundNegative=176,55,69 ForegroundNeutral=198,92,0 ForegroundNormal=252,252,252 ForegroundPositive=23,104,57 ForegroundVisited=155,89,182 [Colors:Tooltip] BackgroundAlternate=42,46,50 BackgroundNormal=49,54,59 DecorationFocus=61,174,233 DecorationHover=61,174,233 ForegroundActive=61,174,233 ForegroundInactive=161,169,177 ForegroundLink=29,153,243 ForegroundNegative=218,68,83 ForegroundNeutral=246,116,0 ForegroundNormal=252,252,252 ForegroundPositive=39,174,96 ForegroundVisited=155,89,182 [Colors:View] BackgroundAlternate=35,38,41 BackgroundNormal=27,30,32 DecorationFocus=61,174,233 DecorationHover=61,174,233 ForegroundActive=61,174,233 ForegroundInactive=161,169,177 ForegroundLink=29,153,243 ForegroundNegative=218,68,83 ForegroundNeutral=246,116,0 ForegroundNormal=252,252,252 ForegroundPositive=39,174,96 ForegroundVisited=155,89,182 [Colors:Window] BackgroundAlternate=49,54,59 BackgroundNormal=42,46,50 DecorationFocus=61,174,233 DecorationHover=61,174,233 ForegroundActive=61,174,233 ForegroundInactive=161,169,177 ForegroundLink=29,153,243 ForegroundNegative=218,68,83 ForegroundNeutral=246,116,0 ForegroundNormal=252,252,252 ForegroundPositive=39,174,96 ForegroundVisited=155,89,182 [General] ColorScheme=BreezeDark Name=Breeze Dark Name[ar]=نسيم داكن Name[az]=Breeze - Tünd Name[bg]=Breeze Тъмен Name[bs]=Breeze tamna Name[ca]=Brisa fosca Name[ca@valencia]=Brisa fosca Name[cs]=Breeze Tmavé Name[da]=Breeze Dark Name[de]=Breeze Dunkel Name[el]=Breeze σκούρο Name[en_GB]=Breeze Dark Name[eo]=Breeze Dark Name[es]=Brisa oscuro Name[et]=Breeze tume Name[eu]=Breeze iluna Name[fi]=Tumma Breeze Name[fr]=Brise sombre Name[gl]=Brisa escura Name[he]=בריזה כהה Name[hi]=ब्रीज़ गहरा Name[hu]=Breeze Dark Name[ia]=Brisa obscure Name[id]=Breeze Gelap Name[is]=Breeze dökkt Name[it]=Brezza scuro Name[ja]=Breeze ダーク Name[ka]=Breeze მუქი Name[ko]=어두운 Breeze Name[lt]=Breeze tamsus Name[lv]=Breeze Dark Name[nb]=Breeze mørk Name[nl]=Breeze Dark Name[nn]=Breeze mørk Name[pa]=ਬਰੀਜ਼ ਗੂੜ੍ਹਾ Name[pl]=Ciemna Bryza Name[pt]=Brisa Escura Name[pt_BR]=Breeze Dark Name[ro]=Briză, întunecat Name[ru]=Breeze, тёмный вариант Name[sk]=Tmavý vánok Name[sl]=Sapica, temna Name[sr]=Поветарац тамни Name[sr@ijekavian]=Поветарац тамни Name[sr@ijekavianlatin]=Povetarac tamni Name[sr@latin]=Povetarac tamni Name[sv]=Breeze mörk Name[tg]=Насими торик Name[tr]=Esinti Koyu Name[uk]=Темна Breeze Name[x-test]=xxBreeze Darkxx Name[zh_CN]=Breeze 微风深色 Name[zh_TW]=Breeze Dark shadeSortColumn=true [KDE] contrast=4 [WM] activeBackground=49,54,59 activeBlend=252,252,252 activeForeground=252,252,252 inactiveBackground=42,46,50 inactiveBlend=161,169,177 inactiveForeground=161,169,177
...which renders as the undermentioned depicts:
I don't see how this fundamentally differs to your embedded "darktable" theme:
Were I to customise those values such that they retained the current luminosity but were monochromatic (instead of grey-blue), there would be so little difference that few would notice.
If it’s that easy, I wonder why nobody has done it so far?.. Maybe you should try it yourself?
If it’s that easy, I wonder why nobody has done it so far?
@parafin, I've not deliberately communicated that implementing it would be trivial. I doubt that speculation as to why it's not been done yet would be of much practical use, but I presume that it is a combination of:
- Your and the other respondents' aforementioned opinions that colour perception matters to you all more than theme consistency; and:
- Difficulty implementing a cross-platform feature that necessarily consumes DE and OS-specific configuration values.
Maybe you should try it yourself?
Your codebase is primarily C. That's not my purview. Unfortunately, my skillset is QtWidgets 6 with Python 3.12, or CLI PowerShell Core 7+. The former already adheres to such preferences by default, and the latter doesn't apply in any respect here. Thanks for the suggestion, though.
Theming right now (in GTK3) is done almost exclusively through CSS (meaning available darktable themes are .css files). So no C coding skills are required to create a new theme. There are also some helper tools like gtk-inspector, which ease this task. So trying it may be simpler than you think;)
https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/issues/17378#issuecomment-2316028945
@parafin, that wouldn't resolve this issue, because the theme would still be static. CSS3 is a stylisation language doesn't possess the functionality to dynamically acquire OS information - that would be the purview of the underlying language, which would then provide the toolkit with those values. Thanks, though.
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darktables themes are designed to avoid false color perception
It seems to me that there is room for improvement in this part:
Foreground:
#939393Background:#6A6A6AContrast ratio: 1.761:1 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (AA) ❌ Fail for large and regular text 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) (AAA) ❌ Fail for large and regular text
Foreground:
#F1F1F1Background:#919191Contrast ratio: 2.79:1 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (AA) ❌ Fail for large and regular text 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) (AAA) ❌ Fail for large and regular text
Foreground:
#B4B4B4Background:#6A6A6AContrast ratio: 2.609:1 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast (AA) ❌ Fail for UI components and graphical objects
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2
darktable 5.0.1 Microsoft Windows 10.0.19045.5555
This issue has been marked as stale due to inactivity for the last 60 days. It will be automatically closed in 300 days if no update occurs. Please check if the master branch has fixed it and report again or close the issue.
https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/issues/17378#issuecomment-2316077010
@parafin, I've since ascertained that I was incorrect about the CSS3 standard not supporting it:
-
color-scheme: light dark;enables a parser to explicitly adhere to theorg.freedesktop.appearancecolor-schemepreference. -
accent-color: auto;enables a parser to explicitly adhere to theorg.freedesktop.appearanceaccent-colorpreference.
This issue has been marked as stale due to inactivity for the last 60 days. It will be automatically closed in 300 days if no update occurs. Please check if the master branch has fixed it and report again or close the issue.
https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/issues/17378#issuecomment-3016184629
I believe that this should remain open, but have nothing else to add.
This issue has been marked as stale due to inactivity for the last 60 days. It will be automatically closed in 300 days if no update occurs. Please check if the master branch has fixed it and report again or close the issue.
https://github.com/darktable-org/darktable/issues/17378#issuecomment-3238755933
I have rewritten the issue to provide some actionable programmatic improvements.
This issue has been marked as stale due to inactivity for the last 60 days. It will be automatically closed in 300 days if no update occurs. Please check if the master branch has fixed it and report again or close the issue.