Skip to main content
E
entelechy1
Participating Frequently
February 7, 2018
Question

Convert to smart object causes image to disappear...

  • February 7, 2018
  • 9 replies
  • 14748 views

Hi All,

Never seen this in all my years using PS. With the new update (one version back and the latest) when I select a layer and "convert to smart object", the image disappears. Specifically I am pasting images into a predefined shape. I convert them to smart objects when I want to move them around easier or rasterize into a final composition. Not sure what is happening. I researched looking for answers and it doesn't seem anyone else is having this issue?

Thanks for any help!

Chris

      9 replies

      L
      luztg
      Participant
      May 23, 2025

      In my case, I figured out that if the layer was turned off, and I converted to Smart Object, it was when it erased the layer

       

      zaraw42034906
      zaraw42034906
      Participant
      September 26, 2022

      This was happening to me and I realised I was turning them into a smart object while the visibility turned off which seems to delete the content. Once I turned on visibility again and turned them into smart objects everything worked fine

        S
        SkylightVisual
        Participant
        January 11, 2024

        Where is this 'visibility' setting?

          c.pfaffenbichler
          Community Expert
          c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          January 12, 2024

          Could you please post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible? 

          A
          Aaron5D2D
          Participant
          January 29, 2021

          It was a timeline issue for me too.  I'm up against a deadline so I can't read through the thread – but that quickly fixed the issue...

          S
          Sanuka
          Participant
          October 10, 2020

          Right-click the smart object layer which has disappeared the image and chooses 'Edit Contents', the image will appear in a new window.

          didiermazier
          Community Expert
          didiermazierCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          August 21, 2020

          when you convert a layer with an image in a shape the result is different according what is selected (image or shape). when converting shape to a smart object you lose the shape

           

          maybe this can help   

          JeremyRiley666
          JeremyRiley666
          Participant
          April 25, 2018

          I'm having this same issue, it's happening more frequently and it's frustrating as hell. Would love it if there was a fix for this.

          the smart object will disappear, i noticed if it move it to the top of all the other layers it will appear for a bit. As soon as i go to edit it though it pulls a Houdini on me.

          I updated to  PS CC 19.1.2 about a month ago and this happen on almost every other doc i work on.

          mikem18312062
          mikem18312062
          Participating Frequently
          April 25, 2018

          Once the newest Adobe CC updated I quite having the problem. Sorry. I hope this helps

          mikem18312062
          mikem18312062
          Participating Frequently
          March 12, 2018

          Same thing happening. Draw a rectangle, right click, convert to smart object, then the layer disappears. All my years in photoshop, i've never seen this one before. I can't even complete the project I"m working on....

          I've been making smart objects like this for years now and never had this happen. What is going on?

            E
            entelechy1Author
            Participating Frequently
            March 12, 2018

            It's not ideal, but the fix for me was to download the previous version of Photoshop and use both versions to finish designs. Also can't believe Adobe dropped the Device Preview that was so immensely helpful to designers - what are they thinking?

            JJMack
            Community Expert
            JJMackCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            March 12, 2018

            Yes device Preview has been removed.  If you search this forum someone recently posted they found l a good replacement application to use instead of  Device Preview .

            JJMack
            JJMack
            Community Expert
            JJMackCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            February 7, 2018

            Yes double clicking should open a new temp work document it seems to Open but the image is not displaying in the image window. There seems to be quit a few Mac users having Display issues with the 19.1 update.  Check Apple site to see if there are any updates for your mac.

            JJMack
            E
            entelechy1Author
            Participating Frequently
            February 7, 2018

            Thanks JJ, will do - appreciate your help!

            Chris

            JJMack
            Community Expert
            JJMackCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            February 7, 2018

            Can you post your Photoshop system info so we know what software and hardware you are using. Post some screen captures showing your problem Photoshop displayed UI Pallets and image. And the describe the sequence of steps to produce your problem.

            JJMack
              E
              entelechy1Author
              Participating Frequently
              February 7, 2018

              Thanks JJ. It's PS version 19.1.0 on Mac OS 10.13.2. Attached are some screenshots showing what's happening...the last screenshot is when I double click on the smart object. You can see the image in the thumbnail on the right, but not on the main screen...

              paulog60942688
              paulog60942688
              Participant
              August 21, 2020

              Hi!, 

              Just pulling my hair out to find a fix on this for almost an hour now..

              This is what what worked for me: The Timeline Tab.

              For some weird reason, the content is there, it just isn't in the part where it's visible in the timeline.

              I just pulled this layers to the beginning of the timeline and now I can see em! Not sure how it happened but this fixed it for me.

              *Maybe it just in my case, but I just want to share this incase it helps someone. Ingat!

                Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
                Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices