Skip to main content
macgill
macgill
Participating Frequently
February 6, 2019
Question

Opacity Slider on a layer not working

  • February 6, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 3100 views

I have just spent ages with Adobe support trying to rectify this problem but anytime I want to reduce the opacity of a layer the slider is not working. I have tried by making new layers of the original image but its still not letting me do it. Anyone have any answers to this? I have just updated to PS 2019.

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    3 replies

    L
    Lumigraphics
    Brainiac
    February 6, 2019

    Change the blend mode to Multiply and move the slider. This will show you if it is working. Normal blend mode, you won't know if it is.

    K
    Katie Houghton
    Inspiring
    February 6, 2019

    Can you try this under another user? I assume you reset your preferences.

    macgill
    macgillAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    February 6, 2019

    yes I reset preferences Katie.

    Trevor.Dennis
    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    February 6, 2019

    yes the slider can be moved, its the effect that doesn't work. and yes if i remove the eye icon from the original image then I can reduce the opacity on the background layer, however this isn't the effect that I am looking for. In previous version of PS it didn't matter if the original image was present, I could still reduce the opacity of a layer, in fact I used this method for composite photos. I will attach an example.


    It seems way too obvious, but as Dave mentioned back up the thread, as far as I can see, you have not yet dealt with the fact that you have two identical layers (judging by the thumbnails), so reducing opacity of the top layer is simply revealing the same layer beneath it, and nothing would change in the document window.

    You'd need to turn off the background layer, or place another layer with different content between the two dog layers, to see a change from reducing the top layer's opacity.   Can you explain to us why this is not what is going on here? 

    Tell you what.  Set the top layer's blend mode to Difference.  With opacity at 100% it will show as full black if identical.  If that is the case, then reducing opacity will obviously show no change.

      Sahil.Chawla
      Community Manager
      Sahil.ChawlaCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      February 6, 2019

      Hi Macgill,

      Sorry to hear that, could you please try enabling "Legacy compositing" located in Photoshop's Preferences > Performance, then relaunch Photoshop and let us know if it helps?

      Regards,
      Sahil

      macgill
      macgillAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      February 6, 2019

      just tried that and its still not working! very frustrated......... what should be a 2 second job for me has turned into a nightmare!

      A
      Anonymous
      February 6, 2019

      Hi

      Can you post a screenshot with all the pertinent panels opened, also have you tried resetting Photoshop preferences

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