Layer mask causing blocks of pixelation

[flyjunky]

I'm having an issue when I try to blend two layers using the brush tool. I will bring in 2 layers, one ambient and one flash layer, and try to blend them using a layer mask with the brush tool. All of the sudden I'll get these "blocks" of pixelation start showing up on the screen. I can get rid of them by clicking on them with the brush but that messes up my mask. What is going on? I thought this problem was fixed. On my last computer I believe I fixed the problem by turning on legacy compositing, is that still the only fix right now?

Thank you

[Sahil.Chawla]

Hi there,

That does not sound good, let's fix this.

As you're seeing pixelated blocks when using the brush tool in Photoshop, could you please let us know the version of Photoshop and the operating system you're using?

Also, could you please try deselecting "Use Graphics Processor" located in Photoshop's Preferences > Performance, then relaunch Photoshop and let us know if it helps?

Regards,
Sahil

[PRSCustom]

Hello Sahil,

I have experienced the same, or similar, problem for a couple of years and it has continued through all Photoshop updates. I do suspect the graphics card but after trying your suggestion above I am less sure about that.   I think this information might help you diagnose it:

Before deselecting "Use Graphics Processor":   The blocks would randomly appear in my masks.   There was only one way to get rid of them - save the file, close it, and reopen it.   Then everything would be fine for at least a while.

After deselecting "Use Graphics Processor":  The blocks still appear on my image but they do not show up in the mask.  In other words it's just like the original problem but you can't find which layer is affected as easily because the masks are not showing the blocks, as was the case before.    So once you do find the right layer and make it invisible, the block problem goes away.    And to "permanently" fix the problem, I still use the same method - save the file and reopen it.

[Chuck Uebele]

Can you show a screen shot? It sounds like a graphics card issue. Have you updated your driver?

[PRSCustom]

Hello Chuck,

From what I am reading, I am not able to update my driver because I have a late 2013 Mac Pro and it has a AMD FirePro D500 3 GB graphics card which, if I understand it right, was made just for the Mac Pro and for some reason has never had updates.    If anyone else finds otherwise, I'd love to hear about it.

[bretthay]

For a couple of years I have had similar issues: when I ask PS to blend layers (as a stack) it creates masks for each layer. Unfortunately PS does not always do a great job and often leaves pixelated blocks - I like to then create a new layer with all below but then disable (or delete it makes no difference) the masks so I can choose bits to put back in to my new layer. BUT the pixelations still show - even with mask removed - I am about to purchase focus stacker software as the time it takes to fix everyting is hours. I run an Imac that is a couple of years old and dont believe it is any hardware at fault. However I did try unticking the use of graphics card - did a complete restart - found problem exactly as before (very frustrating deleted masks dont render image back to original) double checked graphics card did not default to on to find that it was still unticked. SO off to spend money I dont have on a blending programme that works!

[juliusf42871435]

Same issue in May of 2023.
Adobe will you do anything about it?