pattern not available

[marcs1033]

I'm working on a photo that I and have several layers to creates a certain look, but when I try to save or flatten the layers of the image I get the error message: "Could not complete your request because the selected pattern is not available"  

What pattern?!?! 

I am using a PS action from Graphics Garage called Urban Sketch

PS 2021

Windows 10 

[c.pfaffenbichler]

»What pattern?!?!«

The one in the Pattern Overlay Layer Style maybe? 

[Missbee]

I have this problem as well with the same action. The action runs, then I encounter a variety of instability issues attempting to work with the layers. The image disappears. Or layers disappear.  I can't  use the magnifying glass.
If I try to merge layers I get the "could not complete your request because the selected pattern is not available" message.  Or Photoshop crashes. However after Photoshop recovers, the layers function fine. It's a fairly new action, 2019, but I can't reach the developer. Are there changes I can try on the Photoshop side? Thanks.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Did you load all the Patterns that the Action references? 

[Missbee]

Yes, I did, and double checked. The action itself runs through without a glitch. Photoshop de-stabilizes when I try to manipulate the layers afterward. And most strangely, if Photoshop completely crashes, the layers work fine when Photoshop recovers. (It's a very nice action, hence my persistence.) Thanks.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Well, that does sound strange.

What have you done for all-purpose trouble-shooting so far? 

Restoring Preferences after making sure all customized presets like Actions, Patterns, Brushes etc. have been saved might be a good starting point:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/basic-trouble-shooting-steps.html

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? 

[Missbee]

Thanks again for your response. Yes, this situation is highly strange because it's utterly inconsistent. I believe I tried most  housekeeping idea:
. Installing Photoshop's most recent update this week.
. Likewise updating Windows 10.

. Resetting photoshop preferences.

. Turning off the Graphics Processor.

. Deactivating Native Canvas.

. Updating the Nvidia graphics processor.

I'd encountered these problems prior to the Photoshop and Windows 10 updates.
Again, it runs the action completely without a glitch. (Usually actions stop if something is corrupted or missing).
The glitches start when I try to adjust layers, and it malfunctions in different ways. The only consistency is that if Photoshop crashes, it then restores with full layer functionality, so I can complete adjustments on the image.
I've never experienced anything like this.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

What happens if you close the file after running the Action and re-open it? 

[Missbee]

Thanks again.
Only more puzzle. Saving the PSD file, I get a message, "cannot build a preview because the selected pattern is not available." I can save, but the image then is gone, with nothing to re-open. It's also disppeared entirely when I use righthand sidebar to move the image around the screen.
I've also tried saving the background layer as a smart object, re-naming to Background and proceeding with the action. It's stable except the Sketch layers which don't work. These layers appear as"ink" outlines, the most interesting part of the action.
I've also looked at History, but can't tell what happens when.

I've persisted because I really like this action results and haven't found another that duplicates it. But I can only complete it if I fiddle enough and deliberately crash the program and work with the recovered file.
As mentioned, other obsolete or corrupted actions simply fail to complete. This is the only one that's gives me trouble in the layer adjustments afterward.
I much appreciate your replies to this mystery.

[Missbee]

Clarification, when the action works, the "Sketch" layers appear as ink edge outlines. However, the Sketch layers don't appear when I convert the Background layer to a smart object to run the action.

[Missbee]

Hurray, I found the fix, which is specific to the action.

I go to the layer Labeled Sketch 3, and click>Layer style>check the box for Pattern Overlay. Now works, even with the graphics processor. Yay, I can use it. One checkmark missing.

Unfortunately, I haven't received a response from the action creator.
Thanks again.

[Missbee]

Whoops, wrote too soon. Doesn't always work.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

It seems like the Pattern/s might cause the problem, so to grasp at straws I would recommend re-creating them and removing the existing ones. 

Secondly you could try to re-record the step in the Action that applies the Layer Style to the Layer you talked about here: 

»I go to the layer Labeled Sketch 3, and click>Layer style>check the box for Pattern Overlay.«

Not sure if it can make a difference but so far I have no better ideas on this … 

[Missbee]

Thanks again for your reply. I spent  time this evening reinstalling things, as Photoshop, which  perhaps crashed too many times, was slow.
This is a very complex action, runs though many instruction. I couldn't reverse engineer everything the developer did in the problematic layers, so re-recording them is beyond my skill. I did go through the action trying to delete them. The action ran through, but the result wasn't satisfactory. At  this point I can make another attempt to contact the action creator. At least I've isolated the problem for him. Again, I appreciate your help.

[Missbee]

Cause I can't seem to quit this, I:

. Unchecked a couple of steps in the action Contorni3 (it's Italian!) which appear redundant. Less destructive than deleting them.

. Then once the action runs, I click the now-translated Sketch3 layer, and check the blend mode pattern box.

. Then I change the pattern to what's likely the correct one, right to left lines, which combined with Sketch4 lines, create a cross hatch.

I've done a few more images and so far, no crashes. Hope this holds and is usuable.

I also messaged the action creator again.

For me, the results are worth the toil. Thank again for your help.

[Missbee]

I posted this under the Graphic Garage Urban Sketch action with the vendor GraphicRiver.net.
I made this action stable on my Photoshop 2022, Windows 10 system with a three non-destructive changes:

. Run the action according to instructions:

. Open the Actions Panel

. Scroll down to instruction for “select layer contorno3,” which is immediately below the instruction, “select contorno1 make without visible.”

.UNCHECK the following two layers for this first layer style instruction for  contorno3:

>“Select “contorno3”

> Set layer style of current layer”

This layer appears redundant. You’ll see following the next line “select contorno4” the layer style instruction for “Contorno3” repeats. Leave that layer alone.

. I was unable to modify the Contorno instruction because it was in Italian, However at the end of the action I added the following instruction:

. Again in the actions panel, hit the red button below to “record”

. Switch to the “Layers” panel and open.

. Select the layer “Sketch3”

. Click the thumbnail to open “layer style” menu.

. Click “Pattern Overlay” to open.

. Beside Pattern: hit the down arrow, and scroll to find and open the group “Urban Sketch Pattern by GG”

. Select the second from right pattern, diagonal lines that go from right at the top to left at the bottom. This is a complement to the diagonal lines used in the “Sketch 4” layer.

. Make sure blend mode is multiply.

. Change the scale mode to 50%. Click OK.

. Return to the actions panel.

. Click the white square on the right to stop the recording.

Hope this works for you. If so, you can make Layers Panel changes with stability and access to all the features. If this doesn’t work for you, you easily can reverse my procedure.

 I’ve used modification now many times with stability and a nice result.