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Andrew Faith
Andrew Faith
Participant
May 26, 2026 3:40 AM UTC
Question

Error in smart object file: The material file provided cannot be read

I’m using the Parametric filter to create a felt applique image. The layer for the image is a smart object. When I add a new JPG or PNG to the smart object to use the filter, I;m getting the error, the material file provided cannot be read.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to why this is happening and any way to remedy it?

 

    2 replies

    LAMY2017
    Legend
    May 26, 2026 5:47 AM UTC

    “the” filter, Andrew? Which one? I see 22. 

    I think I was able to duplicate your process --

    • duplicated background layer
    • made the new layer a smart object
    • applied several parametric filters without error

    I got stuck on the part where you add another file (jpg/png) to the smart object; confused as to when the parametric filter is used. Are you Placing a file over the smart object (double-clicking the smart object, then pasting in a copied png)?

    Ps 27.7.0 | Tahoe 26.5

     

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    Larry
    Andrew Faith
    Andrew FaithAuthor
    Participant
    May 26, 2026 5:54 AM UTC

    Thanks for your reply.

    The filter is topstitch.

    The first image is what I’m trying to achieve.

    The second is the layers.

    The third is the topmost layer called [UPDATE], which opens a .psb file.

    In theory, I should just be able to place a new image into that layer and it will apply the filter to it in the main image. 

    When I do that and hit Save in the .psb file, that’s when I get the error and then filter doesn’t apply.

    Even if I just turn off the currrent image layer in the .psb file and turn one of the others on, it still throws up the error.

     

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