Create custom reference modes on Mac
On your Mac, you can create custom reference modes for your display in addition to the provided reference modes (known as presets). You can tailor these modes for your specific workflow needs by setting colour gamut, white point, luminance and transfer function options.
Note: Reference modes are intended to be used in controlled viewing conditions typically found in professional content production environments. Using a mode in the incorrect viewing condition or with the wrong media type may produce unsatisfactory results.
To create a custom reference mode, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Displays , click Presets, click Customise Presets, then click the Add button . After you create a custom reference mode, select Show in Menu to have the reference mode appear in Control Centre.
These options only appear when you’re using a supported Mac or when you’re connected to a Pro Display XDR.
Note: Not all options described here appear for all display or Mac models, and some options appear only when your Mac is connected to a display.
Option | Description | ||||||||||
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Preset Name | Enter a name for the custom reference mode. | ||||||||||
Description | Enter a description for the custom reference mode. | ||||||||||
Colour Gamut | The primary colours used in the reference mode to define the gamut.
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White Point | Select the reference mode’s white point target for the display.
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SDR Transfer Function | The reference mode’s gamma response when receiving standard-dynamic range content.
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Apply System Gamma Boost | Tell macOS to increase the gamma by the specified amount. This may be used to provide either the contrast implied by asymmetrical media encoding and decoding transfer functions found in some media standards, or a contrast boost required when the actual display brightness to surround ratio is higher than that specified in the standard. | ||||||||||
Enable PQ for HDR Content | Allow the display to receive HDR content using the PQ transfer function instead of the SDR transfer function. This option is only available on Pro Display XDR. | ||||||||||
Enable HDR Content | Allow the display to receive HDR content. | ||||||||||
Maximum Luminance | Set the maximum brightness of the display in nits. | ||||||||||
Limit Luminance to Full-Screen Capability | Restrict maximum luminance to 1,000 nits, which the display can sustain full-screen in normal operating conditions and with a D65 whitepoint. This box must be selected in order to fine-tune the calibration of supported displays. You can fine-tune the calibration of your Pro Display XDR regardless of whether you select this option. | ||||||||||
Backlight Optimisation | This option is only available on Pro Display XDR.
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