CS6 E Bridge Slow to load thumbnails, 'building criteria'

Report · Jun 17, 2012

When Bridge opens on the folder it was last opened/closed in, it takes a long time to load, constantly 'building criteria' as if all the images are newly imported. I've searched the forums, have tried all the tweaks and settings, but it's still iceberg slow. Bridge CS5 is noticeably quicker, as if the cache info is being read immediately. CS6 is behaving as if the cache file has been deleted. It hasn't. I have tried the "flush the cache" to see if maybe it's corrupted. No joy. I have boosted cache size. No joy. I've compacted, automatically exported cache to folders, everything... Nothing seems to fix the snail slowness.

All Adobe updates have been applied.

i7-2600s @2.80GHz

8 gb DDRw ram

Nvidia GeForce GT420 1gb DDR3

6+ tbs hd space.

Report · May 22, 2013

Hello Sandra

You have probably hit the sack by now, but I have been investigating this on my laptop (running CS5, and previously CS3).

I have found the registry keys involved. The key occurs in two places in the Windows registry, once under \HKEY_CURRENT_USER\..\Bridge CS5\Preferences and once under the \HKEY_USERS\{username code}\..\Bridge CS5\Preferences.

HKEY_USERS\{user credentials}\Software\Adobe\Bridge CS5\Preferences

The registry key details as follows:

GenerateFullSize Type=REG_BINARY Value=00 (for NO 100% previews)

GenerateFullSize Type=REG_BINARY Value=01 (for 100% previews)

Before you go hacking the Windows registry, please check the values of these keys, and their permissions order. Actually altering the registry can be fraught, and I will need to give you very explicit instructions on what to do, and how to do it.

Interestingly, all the Bridge CS3 registry entries are still in the registry, even though CS3 has been uninstalled from the laptop.

When I check out my main workstation (currently running both CS5 and CS6), it shows this registry key under Bridge CS6\Preferences, but not under Bridge CS5\Preferences.

What may be happening, is that this registry key has another owner on your computer (other than the default owner), or has been made read only by something. The default owner is the user you registered when you installed Windows.

Something far more interesting happened when I right clicked on all the Bridge registry entries for all the versions that have been installed on this laptop. Windows informed me that the permissions on all the registry keys under all versions of Bridge were incorrectly sorted, leading to "some keys may become ineffective". All versions were installed using the completely standard Adobe install programs. Methinks that this finding might well underlie all of these strange problems. The Adobe installation program is not installing the registry key permissions in the correct order!

This error message did not appear when I checked my main w/s.

Correcting the sort order of the 'permissions' has made my laptop (Bridge CS5) noticeably faster to load a folder of images!

Please do get back to me before doing any changes of any description to your Windows registry!!

regards, John

Report · May 22, 2013

I have CS5 and CS6 installed and all registry entries were correct. The "building criteria" has always been slow since installing CS6. This is supposed to be 64bit and should theoretically be faster that CS5. I have tried everything possible, but nothing has improved this particular problem when switching folders.

Report · May 22, 2013

I agree that CS6 is slower to build thumbnails than CS5. Does not make sense, as like you say, it should be faster at 64 bits.. They changed the database and it just takes more time to process now. I use Bridge CS5 and PS CS6. Works that way for me as I don't process many raw images.

Report · May 22, 2013

So, it seems my only choice is to use CS5 Bridge, as I do shoot RAW exclusively with my DSLRs, and only use CS6 Bridge if I need to process a JPG in ACR (lens profiles, purple defringing etc etc). And now with Adobe going to Mandatory Subscription Only, they won't even bother to correct this issue, or even look into it.

My problem is that if I right click on JPG to process in ACR with CS5 I get the "No qualifiying Parent program" error. Yes, it's a bought and paid for copy. EDIT: and yes, I've done all the purported 'fixes' for this error, and none have worked.

Report · May 23, 2013

If you set the preferences, file types association, to open raw files with CS6, then PS6 will open correctly. I can right click, or double click on the photo and it will open correctly from Bridge CS5

Report · May 23, 2013

I've tried that. And when I right click on a JPG to open in adobe camera raw (sometimes I want to do this to get to the the finer adjustments in ACR), I get the previously mentioned error.

But all CR2/RAW/ORF files open in ACR v7 from CS5 Bridge.

This is with every instance of Photoshop CS5 changed to Photoshop CS6, and as you can see, that error still occurs.

Oh, also know I can set preferences to have ACR open jpgs all the time, but I don't want that. I don't want ACR opening for every jpg file I just want to view.

Report · May 23, 2013

SandraChung wrote:
My problem is that if I right click on JPG to process in ACR with CS5 I get the "No qualifiying Parent program" error.

From my readings the major cause of this error is an expired Adobe trial that is still on your machine. Bridge is expecting this expired trial program to authorize its use.

Report · May 23, 2013

or CS6 has not been opened before. You then get the same error message

@SandraChung

If you want to just view the jpg file only, you simply press space bar. My jpg's open only if I double click, or right click to open

Report · May 23, 2013

Vienna_Sydney wrote:
@SandraChung
If you want to just view the jpg file only, you simply press space bar. My jpg's open only if I double click, or right click to open

*facepalm* The issue is when using CS5 bridge because CS6 Bridge is so slow, is NOT being able to open JPGs in Adobe Camera Raw with CS5 Bridge. Pressing the space bar will NOT open JPGs in Adobe Camera Raw when using CS5 Bridge. Yes, I know it will let you look at them screen sized, but you're missing the point.

1: Adobe Bridge CS5 will open Camera RAW formats in Adobe Camera Raw with a double click. RIGHT Clicking will bring up "No Parent Program" error.

2: Adobe Bridge CS5 Will NOT open JPGs in Adobe Camera Raw with a RIGHT Click Open in Adobe Camera Raw, I will get the error of no parent program.

3: If I try to adjust Adobe Camera Raw via the Menu Bar in CS5 Bridge, I again get the no parent program error.

4: I know I can set preferences in Photoshop to open JPGs in Adobe Camera Raw, but I don't want to ALWAYS open or view JPGs in Adobe Camera Raw, just ones taken with small point and shoot, or from already processed jpgs that I want to do minor tweaking with the tools in Adobe Camera Raw.

Hope that clears things up.

Report · May 23, 2013

That would apply if the version I have installed wasn't the boxed version of CS5E. I know about the 'trial' version error, but that's not the case here (and also not always the case with this error with Adobe bridge, as it happens to others with different adobe products, ie Elements)

Report · May 24, 2013

Perhaps you should try a reinstall. I only ever got this error after installing Adobe, opening Bridge before PS and trying to do anything with Camera Raw. I assume, Adobe needs to be activated before you can open Camera Raw

Report · May 24, 2013

Are you kidding me? NOOB advice?

Oh for pitys' sake, read the thread. I've deactivated, uninstalled, rebooted more times, wasting more hours and days than I can tally.

Report · May 24, 2013

Since there are three pages of this, and some people are chiming in late, let me sum up everything I've done.

CS6: I've deactivated, uninstalled, rebooted, reinstalled, reactivated 6 times. The last 3 times I used the Adobe app cleaner, and Adobe Bridge is still slow.

CS5 reBridge 'error": Deactivated, uninstalled, reinstalled, reactiveated more times than I can recall, used Adobe app cleaner last two times. Still get "No parent" error.

I even went so far as uninstalled full registered Elements and Lightroom to see if either of them were the problem. (Before you ask, I have them installed because some people want me to edit/check their images in the same program they are using)

So, quick sumary: Adobe CS6 Bridge is snail slow. Adobe CS5 Bridge is fast, but I can't right click to open jpgs in Adobe Camera Raw. I can set preferences in any version of Photoshop to open all jpgs in Adobe Camera Raw, but I don't want that. Sometimes, all I want to do is open a jpg to resize/recrop/retouch or other action that ACR isn't needed or wanted.

I hope that clears it up completely. I will try new ideas, but please, stop giving me noob advise.

Report · May 24, 2013

no need to get agitated about it. I was just trying to help.

If I disable JPEG and TIFF handling in Camera Raw Preferences, a double click will open the file in CS6. If I right click, I get the option to "Open" "Open with-" or "Open in Camera Raw" from the call-out menu

Report · Jul 01, 2013

I'll tack on my thread link to this to describe my very similar problem. I've done a clean swipe of Adobe and bridge CS6 and CC both don't work and just build criteria (though nothing is happening according ot activity monitor). I'll also state the I just finished deleting every trace I could find of adobe using uninstalls, cleaner, and searches of everything Adobe then installed CC with no resolution to the problem.

http://forums.adobe.com/message/5467049#5467049

Report · Jul 01, 2013

I BRINGETH GREAT NEWS that will hopefully fix your problem (if it is still prevalant).

1. Have you enabled the root user? If so, skip to the next section, if not:

Go to System Preferences > Users and Groups. Unlock the lock in the bottom left (if you've enabled that feature)
Click Login Options
Click 'Join' nest to Network Account Server
Click 'Open Directory Utility'
Unlock the lock again
Go to Edt > Enable Root User
Click Apply then logout of your user
On the login screen, select other and type in Root and your password

2.You should now be logged into the root account. From there:

Click 'Get Info' (command+i) on the following folders stored in Macintosh HD (or whatever you've named your HD):
- Applications
- Library
- System
- Users
Click the lock on the bottom right corner and enter your password
If your account is not listed, press the plus sign and add your name with Read/Write Permissions
- If your name is listed, make sure it is listed as Read/Write
  - I also added 'admin' just in case as well
Click the gear icon next to the plus and minus buttons, and select 'Apply to enlcosed items'
Now you wait for this process to finish, it took my computer roughly 30 mins.
Once each folder has completed, logout and log back into your account and everything should be working.

Note it is recommended to turn the root user back off, though I don't.

Hope this works for you! If you try to run bridge while on the Root account it won't work, but once you log back into your own account it should be operational again!

Report · Sep 04, 2013

I found a solution. It turns out the problem is with the 64bit version of Bridge.

I was >.< this close to giving up on Adobe Photoshop CS6E 64bit because of how glacially slow Bridge was. Bridge in Photoshop CS5 64bit was fast, but in Photoshop CS6 64bit, snails could out run it.

So, ok, what's the different between CS6 and CS5 Bridge? For months, I couldn't find a damned thing. Set up was the same, same settings for thumbnails, disk caching, etc all the same.

I did find I could use the faster CS5 bridge with CS6, if I was willing to do without a few of the tools, including the latest version of Adobe Camera Raw. I actually did do this for a few days, but certain ACR tools were integral in photo processing.

While I was setting up a new script with a nifty utility called Y-Launch, a great freeware program made by Spacejock Software to run C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop CS6 64bit and C:\Adobe\Adobe CS5 64 bit Bridge, I discovered that although there is 64bit version of Bridge for CS6, there is no 64bit version of Bridge for CS5.

*LIGHTBULB*

Kept Y-Launch open, and checked the Program Files (86) directory and sure enough, there was CS5 bridge for 32bit, and one for CS6 also. Hmmm, CS5 fast, 32 bit. CS6 slow.. and it's launching the 64bit version. Let's see how fast it is if I launch the 32bit version of Adobe CS6 Bridge.

EUREKA! Once again, thumbnails loading fast, no more stalling at "Building Criteria", and no more of the program behaving as if every time I open a specific folder, that it's a brand new import. Had I known, or twigged to the fact earlier, that Photoshop CS5 Bridge was 32bit only.

So now in Y-Launch, I have a script file that executes the following commands:

"C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS6 (64 Bit)\Photoshop.exe"

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Bridge CS6\Bridge.exe"

I guess you could have any task launcher do this (or pin the CS6 32bit Bridge to your task bar), but the one I'm familiar with is Y-Launch.

Report · Sep 04, 2013

Yes, in CS6 Bridge was rewritten to be a 64 bit program. It was about the only change from CS5. As stated many times I also feel the 64 bit version is slower at building thumbnails than the 32 bit previous version. Have not tried running the 32 bit CS6 version. Mostly use CS5 Bridge.

Report · Sep 04, 2013

Curt Y wrote:
Yes, in CS6 Bridge was rewritten to be a 64 bit program. It was about the only change from CS5. As stated many times I also feel the 64 bit version is slower at building thumbnails than the 32 bit previous version. Have not tried running the 32 bit CS6 version. Mostly use CS5 Bridge.

Unlike CS5E, CS6E has both 32bit and 64bit Bridge. As I said, had I known when I was running Photopshop CS5E 64bit that it was running CS5 Bridge 32 bit, instead of what I had presumed was 64bit, I might have discovered that running the CS6 Bridge 32bit was the fix for bridge being so slow.

Funny thing: Adobe Creative Cloud appears to only have 64bit bridge (I downloaded trial of it, didn't see any need to keep it after the trial. CS6 with current plugins does same thing as CC does, without monthy fees)

Report · Sep 04, 2013

SandraChung, I don't see how you could not know CS6 Bridge was 64 bit, and all prior versions were 32 bit. It was widely advertised and pointed out many times when it first came out. Just because CS5 and CS4 Photoshop was 64 bit, did not make CS5 and CS4 Bridge 64 bit. Perhaps that is what confused you.

Report · Sep 04, 2013

I'm using Bridge CS6 (version 5.0.2.4 x64) and that seems to have fixed my problems. Been stable for many months now.

Yes, 64bit, but my thumbnails build quick enough, and don't re-build each time.

Thank Goodness, someone fixed Bridge in CS6 x64.

Report · Sep 04, 2013

narikin wrote:
I'm using Bridge CS6 (version 5.0.2.4 x64) and that seems to have fixed my problems. Been stable for many months now.
Yes, 64bit, but my thumbnails build quick enough, and don't re-build each time.
Thank Goodness, someone fixed Bridge in CS6 x64.

I've been using that version of Bridge, and it was still snail slow. It seems using the 32bit version of CS6 Bridge is the solution for me.

Report · Sep 04, 2013

Yes Sandra, I am Windows too! (7 Pro x64). I've been on this thread with the same compalint myself now for well over a year. Am very sympathetic to your complaints and the silly suggestions made by Adobe etc.

Obviously YMMV, but CS6 64bit, did correct the issue for me. Sorry it hasn't helped you,

(but as the above poster says, check your are using/opening the 64bit version of CS6 Bridge, not the old 32bit one)

Report · May 22, 2013

To increase the pain in the butt for using Adobe Script Cleaner the folks at Premier Pro recommend running it 3 ot 4 times, rebooting computer each time.

Report · Sep 04, 2013

Holy cow. Without changing that option, Bridge is so slow as to be unusable. Thanks.