Please forgive me for intruding on this recent post by Moshec. I have been trying to create a new thread and post a question to the Photoshop Forum and then later to the Help Forum, to no avail.    Am signed in.    Created a post.    Clicked on "Post" to execute the post It does not appear that my post was executed, nor am I able to find my post on the Photoshop Forum. I am hoping that this inquiry will be executed here, as a "reply", and someone can direct me to a resolution of the problem.   Many thanks. Bruce ... View more

Please forgive me for intruding on this most recent post by Siverphotogs. I have been trying to post a question to the Photoshop Forum and then later to the Help Forum, to no avail. Am signed in. Created a post. Clicked on "Post" to execute the post It does not appear that my post was executed, nor am I able to find my post on the Photoshop Forum. I am hoping that this inquiry will be executed here and someone can direct me to a resolution of the problem.   Many thanks. Bruce ... View more

Another point of confusion:  Since the Creative Cloud update, the format for Adobe Forum has changed, as well.  “Reply” field in this new format has now been relegated to a single line in which to type a response, if responding to one of your replies.  Previous forum format provided a large “reply” area in which paragraphs could be typed and illustrated as paragraphs.   Larger field for paragraphing is still made available, however, if I reply to my own original post, as I am doing here.  Yet, the area has been reduced considerably now and requires scrolling to view.   Also, for some odd reason, the “reply” option under each of your responses is now suddenly inactive; so, I do not have the option of responding directly to you. ... View more

Theresa & Wobert; thank you for your reply. Have been reluctant to update LR or PS because of the problems reported by some photographers after updating to newer versions of the Adobe apps. This is actually a case in point, as I have been left in a state of confusion after this inadvertent Creative Cloud update. I would like to try your suggestion of signing out and signing back in. Naive question, but I don’t see an option to sign out on this new interface. Since my original post, I have discovered that if I click on the 3 dots (i.e., the “more actions” symbol) to the right of the “update” button (see illustration of new interface posted above), I get an “open” option to open the LR or PS app. (Yes, I’m computer challenged. 😞 ) In any event, this is progress, - as I’m now able to at least access LR & PS. Still hoping, however, that I can find a way to access LR & PS the “old fashion way” - through the uncomplicated window, which simply lists all the Adobe apps, - accessed through the Adobe Creative Cloud icon on my desktop. ... View more

This is the new interface.  I've been clicking all over the place and still can't find a way to open LR & PS:   ... View more

I do not recall what originally compelled me over the last week or two to create a stamped visible layer after each & every specific retouch.  As you have pointed out, I can perform many of the retouching operations on blank layers, which I have now been doing with new portrait retouching tasks. By utilizing blank layers now, there has been no problem going back and making re-adjustments to prior layers (e.g., opacity).  Creating stamped visible layers, as I had been doing, just isn’t necessary most of the time.   Problem solved! As you and others have explained or implied, a stamped visible layer has embedded within it all the retouching done on layers beneath it.  Any attempt to go back and make changes in an underlying layer is futile – because the opaque, stamped layer above still contains the retouching corrections made on layers below it and continues to impose those corrections on the image, regardless of attempts to make re-adjustments to retouched layers underneath. As many have explained in the comments, the opaque stamped layer has to be turned off, in order for adjustments to a revisited lower layer to render in the image.  Of course, if the stamped layer is turned on again after revisiting and re-adjusting a layer underneath, the re-adjustments will now be hidden by the stamped layer overhead.  Only alternative at that point, as Jane pointed out, is to delete the stamped layer. Learning Photoshop one step at a time.  Thank you all for your help. ... View more

Yes, later found this to be the case; i.e., if I turn off the stamped layers above the particular layer that I want to re-adjust, the re-adjustments can be made and do become visible on the image.  But these stamped layers (above the layer in question) had been embedded with other types of retouching along the way.  In order to affect those other types of retouching, the stamped layers have to be turned on again.  When the stamped layers are turned on again, however, they will contain the retouching adjustments originally made to the  layer in question, - not the re-adjustments or tweaks that we want to make hours or days later. How then do we go back and re-adjust or tweak the opacity of a particular layer without losing the work embedded in successive stamped layers created after that point?  i.e., what protocol should I follow that will retain the option of revisiting an earlier layer and easily make another adjustment to that layer at a future time? ... View more

A special thanks to all who have taken the time to help me resolve this problem.  Probably best if I respond to everyone at the same time in my reply below. At the time I submitted my original inquiry to the Adobe Forum, I believe I was at Layer 4, which is a stamped visible layer of everything beneath it.  (In a similar fashion, Layer 2 & Layer 3 are stamped visible layers of everything beneath them.) I was attempting to re-adjust the opacity of the “Wrinkles Layer”, but with no success; i.e., into Layer 4, at the time, (stamped visible layer of everything underneath), I was not able to change the opacity of the “Wrinkle Layer”. Yes, Bojan, I agree that it would be pointless to try to change the opacity of the stamped visible layer (Layer 4), since it’s a combination of all the layers below it.  Actually, I want to change only the opacity of the “Wrinkle Layer”, - while preserving all the work done in the layers above and below the Wrinkle Layer. Keeping all layers intact, I, therefore, went back and made the “Wrinkle Layer” active.  The opacity of that layer was still at 38%, as I set it earlier.  However, any attempt to change the opacity from 38% did not result in any visible change in the image. In fact, contrary to what I would have expected, if I turned off any layer (eye icon) independently, there was no change in the image; e.g., if I turned off the “Wrinkle Layer”, wrinkles did not return; if I turned off the “Bags Layer”, eye bags did not return; i.e., if I turn off a layer on which retouching was done, then I would expect the retouching to also disappear, as the layer becomes invisible. However, turning off one layer at a time, starting at the top of the layer stack, does result in a visible change in the image as I turn off each, subsequent, lower layer that contains a particular retouch (e.g., bags, wrinkles, etc.).  This leads me to believe that every time I make a stamped visible layer, that stamped layer incorporates all the retouching done on each layer below it.  So, attempting to change or re-adjust the retouching on any particular layer below the stamped visible layer is of no avail because the retouching on that lower layer is already incorporated in the stamped layers above it. To Michael and Chuck’s point, if I turn off visibility of every layer above, say, the Wrinkle Layer, then I can re-adjust the opacity of the Wrinkle Layer, which becomes visible in the image.  However, as soon as I turn on the first stamped layer above the Wrinkle Layer, opacity reverts to the original 38%, and not to any re-adjusted opacity.  This seems to make sense, since any stamped layer created incorporates the original parameters of the layers beneath it. The global issue I have been struggling with recently in the PS learning process is – what workflow protocol should I be following, so that I preserve the option of returning to any particular layer and making a tweak or re-adjustment?? Recently, I tried refraining from creating stamped layers periodically along the way, but, if I remember correctly, - without creating a stamped layer, adjusting the layer opacity of the uppermost layer (after a specific retouch) wound up also changing the opacity of one or more of the layers underneath. ... View more

The procedure I followed:  After completing specific retouching on a layer, I created a stamped visible layer before moving on to another type of retouching on a subsequent layer. ... View more

When I saved (& re-saved) the image file in question with Cntrl + S, I don't believe I designated a file format.  It turns out that the image was saved as a tiff file.  Shouldn't the layers have been preserved within a tiff file? Naive question, but do I designate the file format (as PSD) the very first time I save the file (i.e., "save as")?   Then, anytime thereafter, I can simply use Cntrl +S to continue saving the file as a PSD file?   Yes? ... View more

Although I am not really certain, I may have created a stamped visible layer before saving.  But maybe not. Should it matter? ... View more

Thank you, Barb.  That was the ticket! Bruce ... View more

Cut off section (on the right) of the snapshot above: ... View more

Thank you for the link to restoring "scrubby zoom".  My main concern, however, is not with scrubby zoom, but specifically with "continuous zoom" (non-incremental zoom) using the Zoom Tool.  I'm assuming that restoring the scrubby zoom will resolve the issue I'm having with the Zoom Tool.  Yes? The snapshot below indicates how far I was able to go regarding the instructions at the link. At the link given, here is one person's suggestion: >> Please go to the Preferences of Photoshop , Click on Edit>Preferences. In there go to the Performance Tab, once there please click on Show Advanced Settings under " Use Graphics Processor". There you will find the option for " Open GL" << When I click on "Advanced Settings" (see window above), I do not get an option for "Open GL". (I should open GL, if the option were there??) Not sure how to proceed from the point I'm at, illustrated by the snapshot above. Nevertheless, am still confused, as another person at the link suggests clearing all preferences, - as opposed to "Open GL".  If "clearing all preferences" is the solution, how would I go about doing this. Would be grateful for some direction.  Not as computer savvy here, as most people. ... View more

With the non-functioning Healing Brush problem solved, another issue has become apparent, which hopefully someone can help resolve. As mentioned in my original post, a duplicate of the Background Layer was created to remove facial hot spots (i.e., the Hot Spots Layer).  This layer appears “clean” – because it is below the Blemish (blank) Layer (in the layer stack) where blemishes were removed; i.e., Blemish (blank) Layer on top of layer stack & Hot Spot (a duplicate of Background) immediately underneath in 2 nd position. However, when I create a selection with the Patch Tool (in the Hot Spot Layer) and move it to, what appears to be, a clean source area, the source area – once chosen & transferred to the selected area - turns out to contain blemishes previously retouched out, as well as blotchy artifacts of prior retouching on the Blemish Layer. Even though the Hot Spot Layer appears to be free from blemishes, the blemishes, along with artifacts, reappear within the patch selection after choosing a source area. Although I may not know how to specifically accomplish it, I suspect that I should have created the Hot Spot Layer by duplicating both the Blemish Layer (originally blank) and the Background Layer together, - rather than duplicating just the Background Layer alone.  This is just a guess, of course, but this recent problem may stem from the fact that, although the Hot Spot Layer appears clean (because of the Blemish Layer above it), I am really sampling a source area from layers beneath the Hot Spot Layer. In any event, can someone point me in the right direction? ... View more

Thanks again, Jane.  All helpful information. ... View more

Taking a suggestion mentioned in a few comments above, I went thru the entire procedure again with a different (reject) image (i.e., blemish removal & hot spot removal, each on separate layers).  This time, however, I kept the retouching on each layer simple; i.e., retouched one single blemish on the Blemish (blank) Layer; removed one single hot spot on the Hot Spot Layer, AND was careful to deselect the patch selection.  Happily surprised to see that problem disappeared!! Followed the same procedure again, but this time, I purposely did not deselect.  Problem reoccurred.  No matter what layer I activated, Healing Tool simply did not function.  Seems to confirm that "failure to deselect" was the cause of the problem.  Since I hid each patch selection (Cntrl + H) when I adjusted "the fade", I didn't have a visual selection to remind me to deselect. It seems, therefore, that I must have one or more active selections still on the Hot Spot Layer that have disabled the Healing Brush Tool (at least, outside the active selection area). Last question on this tread:  Would like to preserve the work I already invested on the Hot Spot Layer.  Since the active selection(s) have been hidden in various areas within the Hot Spot Layer (i.e., Cntrl + H), is there a quick way to deselect one or more of these (invisible) selections that may still be active on the Hot Spot Layer? - in one fell swoop. ... View more

Thank you, Jane. Your comment helps restore my confidence in ever mastering even the basics of Photoshop.  Very frustrating, - as I keep running into roadblocks in the learning process. Although doing blemish retouching on a new blank layer is the preferred protocol, do you see any problem with doing the hot spot removal with the Patch Tool on a duplicate of the background layer, as Kelby advocates?   i.e., not on a blank layer. Bruce ... View more

Will definitely check for any “active selections”, as I had been making selections with the Patch Tool to remove hot spots on the subsequent layer after the Blemish Layer.  In retrospect, I had been hiding the selections (Cntrl+H) before fading the patch selection.  Since the selections were now hidden, I may have forgotten to "deselect" one or more of the selections.  Might that have prevented the Healing Tool from functioning on the prior Blemish Layer?? Could you briefly explain what you mean by “reset the tool”?  Are you referring to changes in the Option Bar? Many thanks. ... View more

Although I didn’t intentionally change any parameters (e.g., blend mode, opacity, etc.) since working on the Blemish Layer, I will definitely check today to see if anything of that sort was changed unwittingly. The retouching protocol I was following was from a You Tube video on retouching & workflow. When I first listen to any PS video, I take, organize, outline, and type up extensive notes on the content in a step-by-step fashion, which I later try to follow for various aspects of the retouching process. Late last night, I consulted Scott Kelby’s book on retouching.  I realized that there is a small but significant(?) discrepancy between my step-by-step outline for retouching blemishes and Kelby’s instructions.  As you questioned in your most recent post, Kelby directs the reader to create a new blank layer on which to do the retouching, - not a duplicate of the background layer as I had mistakenly believed from my notes. I will definitely revise my procedure and do the blemish retouching on a new blank layer. However, Kelby does say to remove hot spots on a duplicate of the background layer.  Is duplicating the background layer the preferred protocol for removing hot spots?? Removing hot spots would be the next step & the next layer that I would work on.  As a PS newbie, I am trying to establish a routine workflow protocol. I would be grateful for any other suggestions you could offer. ... View more

Actually, the upper most Hot Spot Layer, even after removing hot spots on subject's face, is not hiding the blemish retouching on the layer underneath, - regardless of whether top most Hot Spot Layer is visible or not; i.e., hot spot and blemish retouching are both visible and noticeable - when all layers are made visible (with the eye icon). If I want to retain my option of going back to tweak a prior layer, what protocol should I follow?  I'm a newbie with all this, but as I understand it, I am using separate layers, so that I have more control over the retouching on any one layer.  For example, I would use a separate layer to subdue wrinkles by, maybe, eliminating them all together, and then adjusting the opacity of the layer to bring them back to the point at which they look natural. What is the simplest protocol to follow, so that I always retain my option of going back to a prior layer to tweak my retouch? Regarding your comment above, shouldn't I still be able to affect a blemish retouch on the upper most Hot Spot Layer, if I wanted to take care of one or two blemishes that were missed the first time around?  Unfortunately, Healing Tools are suddenly not working on the upper most Hot Spot Layer ether. In order to get at the heart of my problem and the one you alluded to above, if I complete the blemish retouching on the Blemish Layer and then create a new duplicate of the Blemish Layer, would I be able to continue retouching blemishes on the new duplicate layer?  It seems that if I am able to remove hot spots (with the patch tool) on the new duplicate layer, I should also be able to resume retouching blemishes on this new duplicate layer. ... View more

With all 3 layers visible and the Hot Spot Layer upper most and active, tried using the Spot Healing Tool on the Hot Spot Layer.  Surprised to find that the Healing Tool doesn't work there either.  Yikes!  What's happening? ... View more

Yes, tried making upper layer invisible, but Healing Tools just don't seem to work any longer on the Blemish Layer.  Even tried moving the Blemish Layer to the top of he stack, with & without Hot Spot Layer (now below) visible, but no luck. ... View more

I also tried moving the Blemish Layer to the top of the stack in the Layers Panel.  But I still could not get the Healing Tool to operate. To summarize what I did: Blemish Layer is a duplicate of the Background Layer; - and the Hot Spot Layer is a duplicate of the Blemish Layer after I did blemish retouching on it. ... View more