I've used photoshop for years and to my knowledge the thumbnail in my layers palette is usually a copy of what's on the layer, however since I've started to use cc the thumbnail image is a solid block. This is making it difficcult identifying each layer visibly.
I've had the same issue for months. Ever since I moved to the Macbook Pro M1. Not sure if the M1 is the issue, but that's when it started for me. No matter what shape the layer is (could be just a scribbly brushstroke over some other layer) it shows up as if the layers below are merged within the rectangular field it occupies. Very frustrating to not be able to view layer details accurately. Couldn't see any fix for this. Was there a solution?
Does turning off »Use Graphics Processor« in the Performance Preferences (Photoshop > Preferences > Performance > Graphic Processor Settings) and restarting Photoshop have any bearing on the issue? Does turning on »Deactivate Native Canvas« (Photoshop > Preferences > Technology Previews) and restarting Photoshop have any bearing on the issue?
Layer 3 and 4 are as they look on the thumbnail, the big square because they are actually big squares in the document but I don't need to see them so they are turned off.
I think basically in this mode the are how they should be except I don't want to see the checkerd effect to show transarrency. When I turn off transparency I just get blocks in the thumbnails.
I can't remember having ever turned off the transparency checkerboard, because I need to know how much of the layer is covered by its contents, but I just tried experimenting with it, and it does have one strange behaviour. The document below has three identical layers plus a white background.
What I found was that turning transparency off had no effect unless something was done to a particular layer.
In the example below transparency was turned off and that is reflected in the thumbnails (each layer has just the red square and the rest is empty). I turned transparency back on, but so far it is not showing.
Turning any of those three layers off causes transparency to show again. Moving a layer or its contents also causes transparency to show for that layer.
It's the same when you go the other way turning transparency off. It is not reflected in tyhe tumbnail or document unless a layer is turned on/off or some other edit is made to that layer. I have no idea how this might help you. Do you have a particular reason for turning off transparency?
I've never seen this problem, it's a weird one. Start by resetting the preferences. Try making other types of layers, shapes, type, smart objects, add a layer style, try a clipping mask, etc and see if they all behave the same way.
Melissa Piccone | Adobe Trainer | Online Courses Author | Fine Artist
Could you please post a complete screenshot with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible?
What are the Layers Panel Options?
What are the Transparency & Gamut Preferences?
Does turning off »Use Graphics Processor« in the Performance Preferences (Photoshop > Preferences > Performance > Graphic Processor Settings) and restarting Photoshop have any bearing on the issue?
I've been on the 'layer panel options' and that just allows you to enlarge the thumbnail. This just makes the square larger. I did look at the Graphic Processor settings and it did nothing. I've attached the larger screen print of my desktop and the transparency & Gamut pref.
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