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M
mitcht10
Participant
April 1, 2017
Answered

"Open as Layers" option grayed out/can't click in Lightroom

  • April 1, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 11200 views

I've had lightroom for a short while now, but I'm completely new to Photoshop. I'm trying to open an image from lightroom as layers in photoshop, but for some reason that option is grayed out/can't be clicked when I hover my mouse over the "edit in" option. Would anyone know why this might be? I have the latest versions of both (on newest version of macOS as of today) and I have tried reinstalling both programs. It could be user error but I'm just not sure, any help would be appreciated, thanks.

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Correct answer Rob_Cullen

You say -

trying to open an image

I assume you have TWO or more images selected in the Lightroom grid.

"Open as Layers" means you need two or more photos selected that will open in the one Photoshop document, with the images appearing on separate layers of the one file.

To open any number of photos (as separate documents) in Photoshop, you would just select one or more files and select "Edit in > Edit in Adobe Photoshop....."   ,or [Ctrl+E]

2 replies

elie_dinur
elie_dinur
Participating Frequently
June 4, 2020

deleted

Rob_Cullen
Community Expert
Rob_CullenCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
April 2, 2017

You say -

trying to open an image

I assume you have TWO or more images selected in the Lightroom grid.

"Open as Layers" means you need two or more photos selected that will open in the one Photoshop document, with the images appearing on separate layers of the one file.

To open any number of photos (as separate documents) in Photoshop, you would just select one or more files and select "Edit in > Edit in Adobe Photoshop....."   ,or [Ctrl+E]

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .
taylorm83788127
taylorm83788127
Participant
April 6, 2018

Hi,

I am two images selected and I want to open them as two separate layers on one file. Do you know why the option to do so is grayed out for me?

Rob_Cullen
Community Expert
Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
Community Expert
April 6, 2018

A greyed out option can mean a couple of things-

1) The Original files are "Missing" in the Catalog.  Do the thumbnails show the 'missing' exclamation mark?

2) You are using Smart Previews and the Original files are not connected for Lightroom to access. (eg. unplugged external drive)

3) You are selecting on the Filmstrip? Instead- select multiple photos from the Library Grid view to "Open as Layers in Photoshop"

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .
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