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Question

Photoshop freezes when transforming paths

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
April 10, 2021
3 replies
1736 views

Hi

I am finding that Photoshop is freezing/crashing when I try to free transform fairly complex paths. This is happening with PS 2020 (21.2) and 2021(22.2) on 2 different iMacs (iMac Retina 27" & iMac Pro) running High Sierra, Mojave and Big Sur.

When PS freezes (spinning wheel of eternity) I have to force quit (command/option/esc) and sometimes the system then freezes also and have to force restart.

Wondering if anyone else has experienced similar issues?

Many thanks

This topic has been closed for replies.

peterp65466518

Participant

Hi, Me again.

I just remembered a way we did it at a studio I worked at for a while.

Make a layer covering the area.

Add the path as a clipping mask.

Convert to a smart object

Warp the smart object.

Bonus is that you can rewarp multiple times and it keeps the warp editable so you don't have to start from scratch if it's not right.

you can add color in the smart object layer or on top of it using the smart object as a clipping mask.

Hopefully this makes sense, I can make a demo file if not.

P

C

Colin RenwickAuthor

Participating Frequently

Hi Peter

Thanks for the post. I guess it's good to know that it isn't just me!

My workaround has been to reboot in Mojave and use PS 2019 to warp the paths which isn't ideal.

I have tried using smart objects, however I don't think it's possible to use warp on a vector smart object? I have to rasterize before I can do that and the resulting image after an extreme transform/warp is definitely degraded (especially on a detailed path with text). Paths give a much cleaner, crisper image.

If you thgink I'm missing something, then a demo file would be really useful.

Cheers, C

peterp65466518

Participant

I've had this problem as well for the last 2 or 3 versions of Photoshop. It's extremely annoying and results in having to rework the file multiple times to get it to work. It's mostly on type paths that are fairly complex.

I have tried resetting prefs, turning off or changing the level of Graphics Processor to no avail.

Restarting Photoshop just before attempting helps but if you try a 2nd go at warping it freezes. It's also very time consuming.

I also need to use paths, smart objects or masks degrade when you warp.

Smart objects are a workaround, but that adds an extra level of complexity, especially if you have several warps in the same file or are trying to simulate metallic foil. I work on a lot of product images with multiple products needing text warping.

I used to wait and see if Photoshop would recover but that usually ends in the machine crashing completely. Now I cut my losses and force quit right away.

It would also be a HUGE help if you could save a warp grid. I used to work on a Barco system years ago and you could save mesh warps so you could redo and adjust without starting from scratch.

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

Can you provide a file with the Path for testing (a white jpg with teh Path would suffice)?

When the OS freezes (at least an OS from the last decade or so) that is not Photoshop’s doing but some hardware, low-level drivers, … may cause that.

Does turning off »Use Graphics Processor« in the Performance Preferences (Photoshop > Preferences > Performance > Graphic Processor Settings) and restarting Photoshop have any bearing on the issue?

What have you done for all-purpose trouble-shooting so far?

Restoring Preferences after making sure all customized presets like Actions, Patterns, Brushes etc. have been saved might be a good starting point:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/basic-trouble-shooting-steps.html

C

Colin RenwickAuthor

Participating Frequently

Many thanks for the quick response.

Here's an example of a path that was causing problems. I eventally managed to get it to work in PS 2019, although the transform & warp functionality aren't as good in this.

I have tried changing and turning off the graphics processor settings in preferences without success. Have also created new system users so that Photoshop has all default settings, but the same thing happens.

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

I seem to experience no issues when Warpint the Path (see screenshot).

Might it not make more sense to Warp a Smart Object, though?

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