I’ve been using Brave’s Dark Mode Flag (BDMF) for a while on MacOS. It works well for most websites, but there are some where inversions (or however it works) can still present problems.
Q: Which BDMF setting is best for avoiding inversion issues? Especially, when it comes to websites with editable forms?
Check mark: What I currently use post-update (better). Blue highlight: What I was using pre-update.
Even after a browser update & a BDMF setting switch, I’m still having issues striking the right balance. Shields isn’t an issue.
Specifically, the basic Enabled setting is much better, but still not quite right for the form. Before everything was unreadable. Now, I can read what I type or select in the boxes, however, some words on the form are in white rendering them very hard to see, if not virtually unreadable. See below:
To be fair, you posted on Saturday. Support is never around on holidays or American holidays. Looking at the past 24 hours, there were 46 topics and 300 posts. Seeing how you pretty much only have Mattches and Evan123 handling everything, I’m not sure it’s fair to say it’s “slept on.” They definitely are working on getting answers to people, giving priorities to people experiencing issues.
Just to clarify, are you calling it BDMF, or is that the actual name under brave://flags? On Windows, this flag is named Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents.
The best setting can vary depending on the website, but here’s a breakdown of what each option does: (as relayed by ChatGPT):
Default (Disabled):
Dark mode is off. Web pages display in their standard light theme.
Enabled:
Enables dark mode across all web content by inverting colors. This can sometimes cause issues like inverted images or hard-to-read text.
Enabled with simple HSL-based inversion:
Uses the Hue, Saturation, Lightness (HSL) color model to invert colors, often preserving a more natural look compared to basic inversion.
Enabled with simple CIELAB-based inversion:
Uses the CIELAB color space, designed to be more perceptually uniform, which can result in more natural-looking colors, especially in images and graphics.
Enabled with simple RGB-based inversion:
A basic inversion using the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) model, which works well for text but may make images or backgrounds look odd.
Enabled with selective image inversion:
Inverts everything except images, which are left as they are. Useful for keeping images looking natural while still applying dark mode.
Enabled with selective inversion of non-image elements:
Selectively inverts non-image elements like text, backgrounds, and buttons, while images are generally left untouched. This setting aims to enhance readability and visual consistency.
Enabled with selective inversion of everything:
Applies inversion to all elements, including text, images, and other content. This is a more aggressive approach that might not always produce the best visual experience.
Enabled with selective image inversion based on transparency and number of colors:
Analyzes the transparency and color palette of images before inverting them, attempting to maintain a more natural look while still applying dark mode.
Disabled:
Turns off auto dark mode, keeping web content in its original state.
I know I posted on Saturday which is why I waited until the weekday to bump the thread. Since no one from the general community provided any insight in the interim, it was otherwise slept on. By whom isn’t my concern.
I know there were a lot of posts. I monitored the general influx. All the more reason to bump my topic lest it slip through the cracks. I wasn’t about to let my inquiry just sit there & time out without a response. Proactive isn’t just for dermatology.
BDMF is the acronym I elected to use in lieu of repeatedly typing out my full topic title. I know you know, when writing, it is pretty standard to refer to something in full before signaling the adoption and use of an acronym. That is precisely what I did.
Now, granted, it may not be Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents, but I was clear enough in my reference that Brave’s search engine didn’t seem to struggle when directing me to the now bookmarked Experiments page. I’m on MacOS not Windows, but yes, it’s the same title.
Thank you for the AI descriptions. Perhaps they should be included under the Auto Dark Mode flag as the drop down menu offers no insight into what the choices actually mean for the result they intend to produce.
My question more or less remains, if only for the group. Which is best? I wonder if CIELAB or HSL would be the most nuanced option? I’ve already had to try two.
Every time I select a new one, to my chagrin, Brave must be relaunched. Understandable, but not ideal. Especially when in the middle of a project that requires me to log back in with multi-factor authentication, hence my attempt at crowdsourcing information by posting this very topic.
So, website differences notwithstanding, if there was one version of Enabled that would be most recommended which one would it be? Surely someone knows. I doubt Brave would provide a feature, even as an experiment, without testing an answer to that question. For me, neither of the two I’ve tried, per my earlier post, have been sufficient.
As it stands, Agatha Ray, your descriptions have done enough to narrow the mystery down. And Then There Were Two. I’ll investigate HSL & CIELAB.
@Saoiray aka Stephenomics / Don’t play with Mattches,
I relaunched using CIELAB and it is so far the best one yet, but I’m still having an issue with this particular form (as previously shown above). What I need from Brave’s Auto Dark Mode for Web Contents experimental flag aka BDMF is this:
When the inverted background becomes light-colored, invert the originally black letters not to white, but to gray. A color that maintains better contrast on a light background. White on light green is a no-go, but that’s what all three settings have provided.
I’ll try HSL before the USO starts, but it won’t change anything. For now, I’ll need to stick with CIELAB.
@NotAgain seems we didn’t tag @Mattches in yet so I’ve done so in case he has more info. And do you have a link to the form just in case they or anyone at Brave wants to take a closer look?
Tricky part is I know that’s how it usually goes when you have a black background. The rest of it can be harder to see, especially when you consider shades that need to be avoided due to people with color blindness. Black and white is the most neutral and highest contrast, so better for accessibility.
And like on that, here’s what you can find on the internet:
I know eventually may have to see if perhaps Brave can add ability for custom settings, but for now, let me ask if you might want to check out the extension below as it looks good from what I’m seeing…but haven’t tested or researched much.
One of the things that really is interesting on that is that it seems you can choose custom colors
I don’t mess around with extensions that cause even more issues in the long run, PCs which can be more finicky, or their app stores.
I’m not saying gray text on a black background. I’m saying if the text inversion is white, make the background dark gray.
I’m well versed in color theory and am familiar with accessible design. My point about the dark mode tool is that at times it produces inversions defeating its very purpose.
Basically, no successful inversion in dark mode should produce a light-colored background and certainly not light-colored text on a light background. And yet, per my screenshots, I’ve come across both.
