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bartonlew
bartonlew
Legend
March 11, 2018
Answered

Adjustments grayed out in Image tab

  • March 11, 2018
  • 3 replies
  • 57426 views

I need to create a highlights/shadows adjustment layer and went to Image>Adjustments as I read that it is under that tab, but Adjustments is grayed out.  Why?  Thanks.

      This topic has been closed for replies.
      Correct answer bartonlew

      I figured out the problem.  I did not have the image itself selected but rather one of the existing Adjustment Layers.  Thank you

      3 replies

      A
      AppleAddict001
      Known Participant
      April 25, 2020

      No, you did not provide the correct answer. As far as "Shadows & Highliights", this is always available regardless whether the particular Layer you are working on is........or is NOT a Smart Object also regardless whether you are working in either the 8-bit or 16-bit mode. The real problem is: When working on a Layer that is a Smart Object, none of other Adjustments are available, ie: Contrast & Brightness, Curves, Levels, Hue & Saturation etc, etc. All of these Adjustments become greyed out when you turn a Layer into a Smart Object (or at least this is what happens in CS6). So, bottom line what is the big deal about working with Smart Objects when none of the Adjustments are available? In fact you even admit that you have never used Smart Objects so how in the world could you even know what the exact problem is..........or how to diagnose it???

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      bartonlew
      bartonlewAuthor
      Legend
      May 24, 2020

      As stated above, the original question and its solution had nothing to do with Smart Objects.  Also, it is incorrect that Adjustments are unavailable when working with a Layer that is a Smart Object.  With the Smart Object Layer selected, you still have the Adjustments (between the layer mask and create a new group tab at the bottom of the Layers panel) available and you can access Adjustments in either the Image or Layers tab at the top right of your screen.

        A
        AppleAddict001
        Known Participant
        May 14, 2021

        @ bartonlew - One final word on this matter. I fully realized that [you] did not mention "Smart Objects" but I was trying to address your concerns/problems (which frankly did not include a great deal of information). I brought up the sbuject of "Smart Object Layer" because, in Photoshop CS6 if you are working with or on a Smart Object Layer, if you go to Image > Adjustments (under the menu options) you will find that all the Adjustments will be, in fact, greyed out and unavailable. Of course Adjustments will still be available within the drop down options at the bottom of the Layers palette..........but applying an Adjustment in this manner is not the main principal behind converting or using a Smart Object Layer. The main principal behind working on a Smart Object Layer is two-fold. #1-A Smart Object Layer allows one to double click on that Layer and be taken back into ACR and #2- Applying adjustments to a Smart Object is NON-destructive whereas, applying adjustments on a normal Layer is destructive.

         

        Of course I can only speak for Photoshop CS6. I don't how things might function in using higher versions of PS. I was only trying to help with little information with which to work.

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        c.pfaffenbichler
        Community Expert
        c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        March 11, 2018

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

        bartonlew
        bartonlewAuthorCorrect answer
        Legend
        March 11, 2018

        I figured out the problem.  I did not have the image itself selected but rather one of the existing Adjustment Layers.  Thank you

          bartonlew
          bartonlewAuthor
          Legend
          March 11, 2018

          Did you convert the Layer to a Smart Object first to keep the Adjustment editable?


          No.  I have not worked with Smart Objects yet.  So adjustments made using the Adjustments tab such as Hue/Saturation and Contrast/Brightness don't require a Smart Object to be editable, but Shadows/Highlights do?  When I made the adjustment and closed the box, and then reopened it, the adjustment I had made disappeared and went back to the original setting (what is was set to when I opened Shadows/Highlights), so I assume so. Thank you.

          A
          Anonymous
          March 11, 2018

          Perhaps it's Image > Mode: 32 Bit. It has to be 8 or 16 Bit for this feature.

          Fenja

            T
            themanyoulovetohate
            Participant
            May 14, 2021

            Thanks. This one helped me. Photoshop 2021's latest update (May 2021) caused this problem for me. 

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