Skip to main content
Known Participant
February 8, 2026
Answered

when using the Liquify filter, there is a possibility that a separate layer

  • February 8, 2026
  • 7 replies
  • 244 views

when using the Liquify filter, there is a possibility that a separate layer is created for this. I always make a copy of the original layer first.

    Correct answer c.pfaffenbichler

    Why don’t you apply the Filter Liquify as a Smart Filter? 

    That way both the result and the unedited pixel content are available. 

    7 replies

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    February 22, 2026

    Please add your vote (and comment/s) to existing Feature Requests if they meet your wishes regarding Filters as Layers in general. 

     

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    February 19, 2026

    it works but In my humble opinion, it would be a better idea if the liquid filter simply remembered the setting on a normal layer instead of a smart filter, as I suggested earlier, via a separate editing layer such as Curves, etc.

    I interpreted »separate layer« from your original post to mean an edited second layer, as can be produced with Neutal Filters. 

    That you actually meant Adjustment Layer-like Filter Layers (as they apparently exist in Affinity Photo) was not clear to me. 

    This has long been the subject of Feature Requests like this one (13 years old): 

     

    But improvements may be approaching …

    Previously »Adjustments« processed each pixel individually which enabled Adjustment Layers to work fairly fast. 

    In »Filters« on the other hand multiple pixels could determine the resulting appearance of one pixel and this could take too much computing for Photoshop to do it equally fast. 

    Recently however a new Adjustment Layer-type named »Clarity and dehaze« has been introduced – which would, in the old parlance, qualify as a Filter rather than an Adjustment. 

    So I hope (more) Filter Layers might be coming to Photoshop … 

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    February 18, 2026

    convert to Smart Object, apply Liquify, and never reopen Liquify to undo.

    I guess that’s the kind of nonsense that should make people wary of using a chatbot as a search engine. 

    Of course one can reopen the Liquify Smart Filter to fine-tune the Liquify further. 

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    February 18, 2026

    Could you please post a screenshot with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Channels, Options Bar, …) visible? 

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    February 9, 2026

    One of the points of using Smart Filters to maintain edibility (across sessions). 

    Liquify does have a peculiarity, though; the Mesh references the document dimensions so moving or transforming the Smart Object or changing the Canvas Size will result in unintended changes. 

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    February 9, 2026

    Whether you find it relevant or not, that's fine, but I disagree.

    It should be an adjustment layer like Curve, for example.

    If you save the document as a PSD file and want to continue editing the next day, you can't do that with bleed. It's permanent. Did you actually read what chatgpt says about this? I've included that.

    I'll leave it at that. Have a nice day.

    I read the post with the Chat GPT text and as mentioned previously there was at least one problem. 

     

    The Filter Liquify applied as a Smart Filter can be edited further the next day, the next week, whatever – just like a Curves Adjustment Layer. 

    Anyway I am not sure what you mean – are you talking about changing the Canvas? 

    Please explain what the actual problem is. (edit: Ideally with screenshots including the pertinent Panels and Dialog windows.) 

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    February 8, 2026

    Why don’t you apply the Filter Liquify as a Smart Filter? 

    That way both the result and the unedited pixel content are available. 

    Known Participant
    February 8, 2026

    gonna give it a try thanks!

    Known Participant
    February 9, 2026

    i asked chatgpt tried it but it can’t be done
    so Adobe has to fix it if that’s possible..

     

    Why previous Liquify edits cannot be restored

    Liquify does NOT store history between sessions. This is fundamental to how the Liquify engine

    works. Once you click OK, Liquify permanently commits the distortion and its internal history is

    discarded. Reopening Liquify always starts a new, empty session. This behavior applies even

    when: - Using Smart Objects - Using Smart Filters - GPU is enabled or disabled - The Liquify

    window opens correctly Why Reconstruct no longer works

    The Reconstruct tool only works while the same Liquify session is still open. As soon as you: - Click

    OK - Close Photoshop - Reopen the Liquify filter Liquify no longer knows what the original shape

    was. Smart Filters store only the final result, not the Liquify mesh data. Common

    misunderstanding

    Many users assume that Smart Filters make Liquify fully reversible. This is not the case. Liquify is

    mesh-based, state-less, and destructive within its own environment. Smart Filters remember that

    Liquify was applied, not how it was applied. What IS possible

    1. Smart Filter Mask: You can paint black on the Smart Filter mask to locally restore the original

    image. This is selective masking, not true reconstruction. 2. Professional workflow: Duplicate the

    layer, convert to Smart Object, apply Liquify, and never reopen Liquify to undo. If unsure, duplicate

    again and reapply Liquify. 3. Step-based Liquify: Apply Liquify in multiple smaller steps, each on its

    own Smart Object. This allows returning to earlier stages safely. What is NOT possible

    - Restoring Liquify edits after clicking OK - Reconstructing previous sessions - Saving Liquify

    history - Enabling a hidden Advanced Mode These features do not exist. Why Adobe has not

    fixed this

    Liquify uses legacy code from before Smart Objects existed. Rewriting it would require a complete

    new engine. Adobe focuses development on Neural Filters and generative tools instead.

    Conclusion

    You did nothing wrong. Your Mac and GPU are not the problem. Liquify cannot restore previous

    edits after confirmation. The only true control happens before clicking OK.