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...

[GoldingD]

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

requirements have changed

[defaultzdb1tde3wl8e]

It's a bug, pure and simple.  This all worked perfectly in v12.0 and v12.0.1, and it still works if you use a preset that contains people masking, it's simply a UI defect that stops access to a function that works perfectly well!  I have gone back to 12.0.1 and guess what, everything works perfectly.  What I want to know is when are Adobe going to issue a fix for this?

[N_M_BO]

Requirements might have changed, but it was working flawlessly in previos version. It's obviously an artificial limitation that needs to go.

[defaultzdb1tde3wl8e]

Yes, it is a bug introduced in V12.1.  If you use a preset that uses People masking everything works perfectly, it's a bug introduced in V12.1 that disabled access to the People masking when you want to add a new mask

[klwbrue]

I have a 2020 Mac Book Pro running the latest Ventura update.  My graphics card is an Intel Iris Plus with 1536 mb of VRAM.  It worked fine prior to the latest update, but now, when I chose the people mode, I get an error message stating the I do not have enough graphics memory to support the people masking mode.

I found that the minimum amount of VRAM is 2GB, but this graphic card worked fine in the 12.01 update. One person I know has the same size graphics card, but her chip is an Intel Iris Pro, and she has no issues. Has anyone else had this issue?  Any help is appreciated.

[TheDigitalDog]

At each update, more and more functionality moves to the GPU. This is why an older version may not show such effects while newer versions will. 

System requirements (older than the new update): 

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

Ideally, 4 (or better) 8 GB of VRAM. 

[johnrellis]

@klwbrue has already discovered the requirement for at least 2 GB of VRAM to use People masks, but for others, Adobe has documented this as "a known issue":

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/kb/known-issues.html

[CumberLinda]

But the "known issue" there is that the People masking section may need to be closed to avoid a crash when opening masking. "Expand the widget on-demand only when the select people option is needed" implies People masking is still available. I am the person the OP referred to with the Iris Pro chip that still works in 12.1. She has the graphics processor set to Off in LrC Preferences. She doesn't get a crash but gets an error message that People masking is unavailable to her (new in this update).

Advising MacBook Pro users to upgrade the VRAM means advising them to replace the computer (2 years old) or get an external GPU, right? The new masking should be available at a sacrifice of some speed. But the Intel Iris Plus chip seems to have some special issue with LrC that the Intel Iris Pro chip (same 1536 VRAM) doesn't, as noted here: https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/select-people-mask-crash.html

[johnrellis]

Here are my educated guesses about the situation: People Masking uses more VRAM than other masking AI models. The precise amount of memory used for any one photo varies, also depending on the chipset and its graphic driver. But Adobe thinks that if you have 2 GB or more, you should be OK. Under 2 GB, it's very possible but not a sure thing the People model will run out of VRAM.  

A graphics driver should return an error if the client program tries to use too much memory.  The knowledge base article refers to Mac OS 12. It may be that the Mac OS 12 driver for the Iris Plus Graphics had a bug (in general, drivers have many bugs with executing AI models) where it didn't properly return an error code to LR, and LR crashed as a result.   Or the driver did something that was correct but unexpected by LR.  Upgrading to Mac OS 13 provides a new driver that fixes the bug, and/or LR 12.0.1 or 12.1 handles the error more gracefully.

"Advising MacBook Pro users to upgrade the VRAM means advising them to replace the computer (2 years old) or get an external GPU, right?"

That's right.  It's very possible that the tech writer or support person who wrote the article didn't understand that.

"The new masking should be available at a sacrifice of some speed."

My quickie tests indicate that People masking is like the other kinds of masks, about 4-5 times slower without using a GPU than with.

LR tries to detect whether a GPU / driver is compatible with AI masking and disable its use if necessary. Unfortunately, it's clear from all the posts here that it often fails to detect incompatible GPUs.  Double unfortunately, Adobe has stubbornly resisted providing users with an option to turn off use of the GPU for AI masking:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-ideas/p-ai-masking-should-obey-preferences-gt-perfo...

It's bizarre - LR lets you turn off the use of the GPU for displaying images, editing images, exporting images, and even using the GPU for generating Library previews with dehaze and clarity adjustments (a hidden setting in Preferences > Performance when you hold down Opt/Alt).  But you can't disable the use of the GPU for AI masking.

Please add your constructive opinion to this feature request:
https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-ideas/p-ai-masking-should-obey-preferences-gt-perfo...

and be sure to click the Upvote button at the top-right and Follow at the bottom of the first post.

[CumberLinda]

Thanks for all of that. I see I didn't add that I'm using the Iris Pro in LrC 12.1 on a 2015 MacBook Pro running Monterey 12.6.1, not Ventura. The OP is using Ventura and the Iris Plus. I am able to do People Masking on a raw file with 4 people, generating the "people parts" masks for all 4. It's not speedy, but it works. I only edit on this machine for testing or when traveling, but I certainly hope to be able to use the same version of LrC on both iMac and MBP. I suspect the Iris Plus is more problematic than the Iris Pro, though the amount of VRAM is the same.

There may finally be viable replacements for the 2015 MBP, and I recognize that Mac won't be supported indefinitely. But the OP, with a 2-year old MBP, should have the option to use AI masking without using the GPU rather than have People masking completely unavailable. I've Upvoted and Followed that linked post about disabling GPU for AI masking. I hope certainly hope that gets implemented. 

[JackFrusciante]

I'm in the same situation but with a 2019(!) MacBook Pro (Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655).

I guess I should throw it in the trash (or change software).

Well played Adobe!

I have no words.

[TheDigitalDog]

I'm in the same situation but with a 2019(!) MacBook Pro (Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655).

I guess I should throw it in the trash (or change software).

Well played Adobe!

I have no words.

By @JackFrusciante

Yes, your options are simple:

Use hardware up to par for modern software.

Roll back to older versions that is up to the task.

What is well played by Adobe is adding more functionality for users who are willing to have hardware to support these new features. 

You don't have to update of course. If you need more information about how to roll back to older versions of your subscription and disable auto updates, just ask.

Some Adobe customers hates two things: Change and the way things are. 😉

[JackFrusciante]

@TheDigitalDog another option should be leave the ability to the user to use these functions waiting for them to be completed. When I'll be in hurry for an AI mask to appear I will update my "ANCIENT" 2019 MacBook Pro.

I don't hate change. I don't hate innovation. On the contrary I love both changes and innovations BUT done the right way. Disable auto-update at the cost of missing out on possible several new features (that could run correctly even in a prehistoric computer like the ones produced in 2019) just because one or some of them might be slow is not at all a smart solution.

[TheDigitalDog]

@TheDigitalDog another option should be leave the ability to the user to use these functions waiting for them to be completed. When I'll be in hurry for an AI mask to appear I will update my "ANCIENT" 2019 MacBook Pro.

By @JackFrusciante

Doesn't work that way, sorry. 

You don't have to use AI masks either. But if you want, you need the hardware to do so. 

Yes, again, the options are simple:

Use hardware up to par for modern software.

Roll back to older versions that is up to the task.

Or to add, use another product. I'd love if my ancient Mac IIci could run LR (or even boot into OS X). It can't. 

The specifications required out well outlined. If your system supports that requirement, you can use the product; if no, you can't. Systems with less than 2GB of video memory do not meet the minimum specification. 

[JackFrusciante]

Your Mac IIci was produced in 1989.
My MacBook Pro in 2019.
I wonder if you can catch this subtle difference (I guess not)
Anyway thank you for your priceless suggestions

[TheDigitalDog]

Your Mac IIci was produced in 1989.
My MacBook Pro in 2019.
I wonder if you can catch this subtle difference (I guess not)
Anyway thank you for your priceless suggestions

By @JackFrusciante

Here is one more suggestion that might affect change here** (as just complaints do not) it will help:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-ideas/how-do-i-write-a-feature-request/idi-p/123863...

** I will not guess.

[defaultzdb1tde3wl8e]

It would seem you either can't read what people have been saying, or in Adobe's pocket.  As has been stated here on numerous occassions the people masking feature was working perfectly well for everyone, and since the 12.1 update it's been disabled for many users.  And as I stated very clearly, it still does work perfectly well if you have presets that use people masking.

I don't have an old laptop either, I am using the top end 13" i7 based 2020 MBP with 32GB RAM, it is no slouch and is barely 2 years old.  If you or Adobe are willing to fund its replacement then go ahead, but I doubt that'll happen, so perhaps easiest that Adobe just reverse the bug they introduced...

[TheDigitalDog]

It would seem you either can't read what people have been saying, or in Adobe's pocket.

By @defaultzdb1tde3wl8e

It would seem you can't read what some people (without any issues) have been saying, including:

Disabling GPU is an option as more and more functionality moves to the GPU in newer versions of many Adobe products.

Systems with less than 2GB of video memory do not meet the minimum specification. It is possible that it may have worked previously but it is not supported.

Roll back to older versions that is up to the task.

To go back (revert) to previous versions, use the Adobe Creative Cloud application, next to the product you want to revert, click on... (three little dots) and pick "other versions."

[CumberLinda]

You say "Disabling GPU is an option as more and more functionality moves to the GPU in newer versions of many Adobe products." The issue with 12.1 and People masking is that it doesn't work with the GPU disabled when there is < 2 GB VRAM, even though, as John's linked post discusses, the code is available to have People masking run on the CPU. Those affected are only asking for the ability to use People masking, slowly, on a 2 or 3 year-old Mac that wasn't bought as a gaming computer. Rolling back to 12.0.1 and staying there is not a big deal now, but it will be at some point. Replacing the computer or adding an external GPU is a big deal.

If Presets with People masking still work, as I've heard, maybe installing Matt Kloskowski's adaptive People presets would help those who can't generate their own masks? The link to the free sets is on this page: https://mattk.com/whats-new-in-lightroom-12-oct-2022-update/  I use them even though I can make my own masks since his presets create and also name the masks.

[TheDigitalDog]

You say "Disabling GPU is an option as more and more functionality moves to the GPU in newer versions of many Adobe products."

That is correct!

As is another statement:

Systems with less than 2GB of video memory do not meet the minimum specification. It is possible that it may have worked previously but it is not supported.

As is another: many, many users including some here have no issue with people masking.

If you do, examine the system specifications and see if they are sufficient and if not, consider rolling back to earlier versions or updating the hardware.

[defaultzdb1tde3wl8e]

@TheDigitalDog  Why are you actually posting here, it's clear you are trying to be deliberately unhelpful and obtuse...

[TheDigitalDog]

I apologize if the facts I've provided appears deliberately unhelpful and obtuse.

There are dozens and dozens of posts in these forums daily from users needing actual support from other volunteer users and you are correct in one regard: my time volunteering to help them would be better spent with those who do want to accept provided facts presented. The last thing I desire is CWOBaT. 🤔

[derekbeb]

Il me dit que je n'ai pas suffisamment de mémoire graphique sur mon Mac mini 2018 version Ventura 13.3.1, or j'ai 32 Go de RAM.

Lightroom classic 12.2.1

Que faire ?

Merci

[moved from bugs to discussions - Mod]

[Ian Lyons]

Your issue is not a bug and this thread will likely be moved 'Discussions'.

The 2018 Mac mini uses an integrated GPU that shares are portion of your main memory. Unfortunately, the amount shared is approximately 1.5GB whereas the minimim required for People masks is 2GB.

I've linked the System Requirements below for refence.

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

[derekbeb]

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