Can't render PNG image sequences in Photoshop

[LA_80083]

Hi-

I'm an animator and I frequently export my work from photoshop as PNG image sequences because I need my animation exported with an alpha channel.  I've literally done this hundreds of times but for some reason now that option (as well as several other formats) are grayed out.  I already updated photoshop, restarted my computer, and my file is set to RBG mode with an 8 bit channel.  Anyone know how to fix this or why this might be happening?

[JJMack]

I see if I have a Frame Animation I can render out a PNG sequence however if I convert that Frame Animation to a video TimeLine Png is grayed out like in your screen capture.  If you have a video timeline try converting it into s frame animation.

[LA_80083]

Ah that's interesting but I need to keep my animation layered in a video timeline so that it's still editable.  That's a good workaround, though!

[davescm · Accepted solution]

There is a bug in Photoshop v19.0 and 19.0.1. Adobe have acknowledged it.

From a frame timeline - PNG image sequence is available but using it gives a Program Error.

From a video timeline PNG is greyed out.

See here :

Photoshop CC 2018: PNG Image Sequence Export Not Working | Photoshop Family Customer Community

Dave

[LA_80083]

Oh okay- I just updated Photoshop last night to see if that would fix it but I didn't know about that.  The odd thing is that I haven't updated Photoshop in a few months and that feature was working on my computer recently so I'm not sure why that would suddenly change on it's own, but if Adobe has acknowledged it I guess that's probably it and I'll have to wait until they fix it.  That's a pretty devastating bug for animators but oh well.  Thank you!

[davescm]

It seems only to affect PNG so the alternative formats still work in the meantime.

If you need PNG you can re-install CC2017 alongside CC2018 and use that to render

Dave

[LA_80083]

Yeah I installed 2018 and reinstalled 2017 which is a great temporary fix for that issue, but I didn't think about keeping both and just using 2017 for rendering.  Smart!

[LA_80083]

Oh weird- the PNG export feature is fine but I'm only now realizing that Photoshop can't read my file.  The whole screen is black and I can't see any of the layers.  Guess I have to go back to 2018 no matter what.

[Beauteous_Fireball0D45]

Im an Animator at Brand New School in NYC.  Im finding this same bug in the latest photoshop version..   Here is a plus one for this needing to be fixed by Adobe.  This will definitely hinder photoshop animators.. Its a biggie

[davescm · Accepted solution]

HI checkout todays release 19.1 r.238

Dave

[learrocket]

Yep, it works with the new update!

[CuriosC1152]

For those who are still experiencing problem make sure your file is in RGB mode. This solved my issue with PS CC2023

[davescm]

That is a different issue. The original post was due to a bug in PS2018 (v 19.0) and was resolved in v19.1

Dave