Denied Access to Locked Layer: Adobe PS Classroom in a Book 2019

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
February 21, 2019
4 replies
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I am using Adobe Photoshop Classroom 2019, and am on Lesson 4. On page 76 it gives instructions about the background layer stating "To convert a background layer into a regular layer: Click the lock icon next to the layer name.The layer name changes to a numbered default layer name. Rename the layer."

Well, I copied a particular image of a dancer from google images, and am trying to use it to duplicate the similar exercise in lesson 4, in regards to making a greeting card. And when i attempted to unlock the photo, it refused to unlock. What appeared was a black circle with a line going through it, and it automatically had the title "index" on its layer.

Any help will be appreciated

kevin

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Conrad_C

Community Expert

Hi, I’m one of the authors of the Photoshop Classroom in a Book. I think I understand why it isn’t working. It’s a general reason, not specifically related to the book.

The clue is that you saw the word "Index" in the Layers panel. That indicates that the image you downloaded is in Indexed Color mode (Image > Mode > Indexed Color); it isn't a conventional 3-channel RGB image. Indexed Color is OK by itself and it’s how color is stored in GIF images. The problem is, an Indexed Color image cannot be layered. You can’t unlock it as long as it’s Indexed Color.

You can do what you want if you convert the Indexed Color image to an RGB image. Choose Image > Mode > RGB Color, and you'll be able to unlock the layer and add more layers.

lambiloon suggests copying the image and pasting it into a different Photoshop document, where it can be unlocked. That works because the second document is in RGB mode. If the second document was also Indexed Color, the layer would stay locked after pasting.

Edit: I should have read jane-e’s explanation first. She gave you the correct answer before I did!

jane-e

Community Expert

https://forums.adobe.com/people/Conrad+C wrote
Hi, I’m one of the authors of the Photoshop Classroom in a Book. I think I understand why it isn’t working. It’s a general reason, not specifically related to the book.

Edit: I should have read jane-e ’s explanation first. She gave you the correct answer before I did!

Hi Conrad,

I wonder if this can be snuck into the CIB somewhere? I know this isn’t the right place to tell you that and I should go to the Peachpit site and login and say it there. Also, are you going to MAX this year?

~ Jane

Conrad_C

Community Expert

jane-e wrote
Hi Conrad,
I wonder if this can be snuck into the CIB somewhere? I know this isn’t the right place to tell you that and I should go to the Peachpit site and login and say it there. Also, are you going to MAX this year?

It should be easy enough to add a note that some color modes can't be unlocked, as a Note in the margin for example. I don't mind hearing feedback about the book in any channel because I keep my own notes for the next edition.

I do plan to go to MAX this year, so maybe we'll meet then!