P: People masking error dialog on systems with < 2 GB of video memory

[defaultzdb1tde3wl8e]

I have just updated to v12.1 and I cannot use the new People masking feature any more, it worked perfectly with v12.0.  I now get a message telling me my computer does not have enough graphics memory when there has been zero hardware change to my Macbook Pro.  If I use any of my presets that use the People subject masking then they all work perfectly, so my laptop clearly works with people masking, it's just the People section of "add new mask" that's now completely broken!  Will have to go back to the old version...

[Ian Lyons]

It's not a bug and the requirement is highly unlikely to be reduced. If anything future versions will probably be even more demanding of GPU and associated memory.

[johnrellis]

"I find out that old my macbook pro (late 2013) with a Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB can perfectly run people masking."

To build on GoldingD's reply, most likely the older computer is running an older version of LR.  Several versions ago, People masking would sometimes (but not always) crash with less than 2 GB of graphics memory:

https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/select-people-mask-crash.html

So starting with 12.1 (I think), LR started checking the amount of graphics memory explicitly.

There are two trivial solutions for this that Adobe stubbornly refuses to implement:

1. LR could provide an option Use GPU For AI Masking.  AI masking, including People selection, runs just fine without a GPU, albeit significantly more slowly. You can easily test that for yourself by booting into Intel Mac or Windows safe mode, which disables the use of the GPU, and running LR.  See this feature request for details (and add your constructive opinion and vote):

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-ideas/p-allow-users-to-disable-the-gpu-for-ai-maski...

2. When LR detects less than 2 GB, it could automatically use the CPU for People masking. 

The machine-learning libraries that LR uses to execute its masking models make it very easy for apps invoking the libraries to select whether to use the GPU or CPU to execute the models. 

I don't have a rational explanation for why Adobe insists on writing off a fair number of its users who have otherwise reasonably configured computers.

[mattiasr54355432]

It's amazing that Adobe adds memory requirement for a future making a recent MacBook Pro, costing over $2000 unable to use the future. Don't understand how Adobe can out a hard requirement like that. Not everybody can afford to buy a new computer for over $2000 every year I would at least expect my 2 year old computer to continue using all Lightoom futures for at least a few more years. Extremely poor by Adobe and really makes me rethink if Capture One isn't a better alternative. 

[Ian Lyons]

Other than it being a 2 year old MacBook Pro and costing over $2000, you haven't provided any meaningful information on your computer.

If you could share a copy of your 'System Info' we would be placed to understand where you computer fails to meet current requirements. You can obtained the System Info from the LrC Help menu.

[johnrellis]

I agree, it's frustrating that Adobe recently imposed a hardware requirement of at least 2 GB of VRAM (graphics memory) for People masking. It's ironic that LR's AI masking will run just fine on a computer with no GPU at all, but not on a computer purchased a couple years ago with a GPU that has less than 2 GB of VRAM.

It would be trivial for Adobe to add an option Use GPU For AI Masking, similar to the other GPU options, since AI masking runs just fine on the CPU when no GPU is present.  If LR detects less than 2 GB of VRAM (which is needed for People masking), then it could automatically disable Use GPU For AI Masking.

But Adobe stubbornly refuses to provide that option.  Add your constructive opinion and upvote to this feature request:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-ideas/p-allow-users-to-disable-the-gpu-for-ai-maski...

[TheDigitalDog]

It's amazing that Adobe adds memory requirement for a future making a recent MacBook Pro, costing over $2000 unable to use the future. Don't understand how Adobe can out a hard requirement like that.

Nothing new nor at all amazing (from Adobe or otherwise). Just look at the system requirements over the decades. 

Adobe can hamper improvements to its software technology to keep older hardware supported. Or they can go the other direction so those of us professionally using all the tools we desire can do so with these kinds of improvements. No one is forced to upgrade their version of Adobe products. Those of us that want the bleeding edge can and will.  

It is a balancing act for all technology companies pushing computer hardware. Upgrade and update, don't; your call. 

[cbears34]

I am on LRC 12.3 and none of the mask options are showing for people like Face, hair, lips, etc. Is my system too old to recieve these options? Please help!!

[F. McLion]

To be able to tell you if your system is too old, we would need to know your system.

To start, please share the system information found in the Help menu in LrC. In addition, please add some information on the file format and source you try to use masks on.

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/system-requirements.html

[cbears34]

Here is my system info below. My files are all DNG.

Lightroom Classic version: 12.3 [ 202304101834-a085245c ]

License: Creative Cloud

Language setting: en-US

Operating system: Mac OS 13

Version: 13.3.1 [22E261]

Application architecture: x64

Logical processor count: 4

Processor speed: 2.3GHz

SqLite Version: 3.36.0

Built-in memory: 16,384.0 MB

Real memory available to Lightroom: 16,384.0 MB

Real memory used by Lightroom: 963.7 MB (5.8%)

Virtual memory used by Lightroom: 44,206.9 MB

Memory cache size: 717.1MB

Internal Camera Raw version: 15.3 [ 1451 ]

Maximum thread count used by Camera Raw: 3

Camera Raw SIMD optimization: SSE2,AVX,AVX2

Camera Raw virtual memory: 458MB / 8191MB (5%)

Camera Raw real memory: 508MB / 16384MB (3%)

Standard Preview Size: 2560 pixels

Displays: 1) 2560x1440

Graphics Processor Info:

Metal: Intel(R) Iris(TM) Plus Graphics 640

Init State: GPU for Display supported by default with custom image processing support

User Preference: GPU for Display Enabled

Application folder: /Applications/Adobe Lightroom Classic

Library Path: /Users/smicale/Pictures/Lightroom/Lightroom Catalog-2-2-v12.lrcat

Settings Folder: /Users/smicale/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Lightroom

Installed Plugins:

1) AdobeStock

2) Aperture/iPhoto Importer Plug-in

3) Flickr

4) HDR Efex Pro

5) HDR Efex Pro 2

6) Luminar

7) Luminar 3

8) Luminar 2018

9) Nikon Tether Plugin

10) Plugin Parameters

Config.lua flags: None

[johnrellis]

You've got a Mac with the Intel(R) Iris(TM) Plus Graphics 640. Unfortunately, LR's System Info command doesn't include the amount of graphics memory (VRAM) on Macs, but you can find that out by running the System Information app, under Hardware > Graphics/Displays.  

You very possibly have less than 2 GB of graphics memory, and People masking will be unreliable:

https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/select-people-mask-crash.html 

People masking will run just fine without a GPU (albeit more slowly), but unfortunately Adobe refuses to provide an option to disable the use of the GPU for AI masking:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-ideas/p-allow-users-to-disable-the-gpu-for-ai-maski...

If you think you have more than 2 GB of graphics memory, please post a full-resolution screenshot (not a phone pic) of the relevant screen from the System Information app so we can see the details.  Also, post a full-resolution screenshot of the entire LR window showing the issue with People masking.

[cbears34]

Please see attached screen shots. Does it appear my graphics card has 2GB or more of memory?

[Ian Lyons]

The screesnhots clearly show that your GPU in an integrated Intel Iris Plus with 1.536 GB of shared memory. Therefore, it fails to meet the minimum requirements of 2GB GPU memory specified by Adobe in the document I've linked below.

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/lightroom-classic/system-requirements.html

[cbears34]

Ok, thank you! I guess I need to look at upgrading my Macbook Pro. I'll have to start looking at options.

[Boshoff Photography]

Hi. 'n functions was removed in version 12.1 because a minimum vram of 2gig. I had no problem of bad performance. 12.3 with denoice is more power hungry then function in 12.0.1, identifying people in a photo.

Please bring it back or giving a option to activate or deactivate the function.

This is stopping me installing version 12.3. I'll be waiting on version 12.0.1 for future update.

Thanks.

[Ian Lyons]

The minimum requirements were specified when LrC 12.0 was released but not 'fully' imposed. However, as additional AI based functionality was added in 12.1 through 12.3, the GPU memory requirements were such that anything less than the minimum specified became problematic for users with older and less powerful GPUs.  I suspect that as time goes on and even greater use is made of the GPU, then even more users will find themselves on the wrong side of the 'minimum requirements'. Therefore, I recommend not holding your breath waiting for Adobe to lower the requirements.

[cheryln3207]

Using 2-4 masks on an image, impossibly slow to show mask overlay & changes made using sliders.  Often just hangs , with LR "not responding" showing. 

In Task Manager, shows CPU Power Usage Very high for Lightroom.

Plenty of memory & disk space available.

[Ian Lyons]

Dedicated GPU memory used by Lightroom: 1474.2MB / 1981.0MB (74%)

You have less that the 2GB minimum amout of VRAM specified by Adobe (see below link), hence  being below your performance expections. If you want better performance, then it's a new more power video card card with 8GB of VRAM (assumes desktop) or a new laptop with the same VRAM allocation.

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/system-requirements.html

DirectX: NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 (31.0.15.3168)

The NVIDIA site has a newer driver for your GPU

https://www.nvidia.com/Download/driverResults.aspx/205035/en-us/

Init State: GPU for Image Processing supported by default with custom export support

User Preference: GPU for Image Processing Enabled

Above indicates that you've manually forced LrC to use the GPU for export acceleration. In your case this is pointless as the GPU simply isn't powerful enough or have a enough memory.

[alex30097091pzin]

It is saying i dont have enough graphics memory to use the people mask. i have clear history and a bit of storage but it still doesn't let me use it.

[Ian Lyons]

This has been discussed multiple time since People mask were first introduced. Masks, especially People masks require a minimum of 2GB of VRAM ( see link below for LrC minimum system requirements.

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/lightroom-classic/system-requirements.html

[julia31086095i6tw]

Hello!

I have and old macbook pro (mid 2014) with big isur, 8gb memory and intel iris 1536mb

I need to use the AI noise reduction so badly but when it reaches halfway through the processing my computer restarts.
Does it happened to anyone? Thoughts?

Thanks so much!

[Stephen31494173n8z1]

I'm extremely annoyed about this people masking feature not being accessible with the latest update. I use it to streamline my editing and now I can use it because of a requirement that never gave an issue before? I've been using the people masking feature for the last 2 years with no hiccups and now it's a minimum VRAM requirement? This needs to be addressed and fixed ASAP

[dj_paige]

Are you talking about Lightroom Classic? You don't say. Are you talking about version 12.4? You don't say.

I doubt it will be "fixed" by Adobe, as they most likely have very good reasons why that much VRAM is needed to perform the task. But I don't speak on behalf of Adobe ...

By the way, there was no people masking before Version 12.4, there was subject masking (which could select people or buildings or cars or other subject) which should still work with whatever VRAM you have.

[Stephen31494173n8z1]

Yes sorry, LrC. I should've specified. But I'm going to try and use a previous version

[Stephen31494173n8z1]

And there was people masking before 12.4. I just reverted back to 12.0 and my people masking works fine now. I can probably go a little higher because the last time it was updated before 12.4, mask allowed for the selection of clothes. After the update it grayed out.

[N_M_BO]

Hi,

I've just installed LR v 12.1 and now when I create a mask I cannot add a people mask. According to the mask panel my "computer does not have enough graphics memory to support this feature". With the previous version I have created plenty of people masks without problems. It was even fast. Is it a bug?

MacBook 12 2017, 16 Gb RAM, Intel HD graphics card, Ventura 13.1