Photoshop CS6 hangs when using the brush (Mac OS X Lion)

Report · Jun 07, 2012

Hi folks,

This is my first posting here so I hope I'm doing it right. I upgraded to Photoshop CS6 a couple of days ago (jumped the Creative Cloud offer for existing customers) and ever since I've experienced several "hangs" when using the brush tool. In general I can work a few minutes with the brush before I notice that it isn't responding anymore, ie. it doesn't paint or erase or whatever it is I'm using it for. When this happens I can't access the gui anymore and all I have for cursor is the shape of the brush. After that the cursor will turn into that black and white spinning ring of dots and my only way to exit Photoshop is to force quit it.

This happens almost every time I use the brush. The OS X Lion installation is brand new, as is the Photoshop installation. No third party plugins installed (haven't had the time yet) and no third party fonts. I use a Wacom Intous 4 with latest drivers.

I've recorded a short video of what happens (13MB): https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2055280/Photoshop%20CS6%20hangs.mov

This is me working on a texture for a 3D model. I have a couple of layers and when the recording starts I am using a mask to blend two layers.

- At around 00:40 the brush stops working so I try to change tool by keyboard shortcut and then by clicking the tool palette.

- At around 01:05 the spinning ring appears and by then I know that I have to force quit.

- At around 01:50 I open up the Activity Monitor (although it can be tricky to read as the Photoshop document refuses to go to the background when the spinning ring appears)

- At around 02:24 the brush starts working again but I still have the spinning ring and I still can't access anything in the menus or palettes.

I *think* it is related to the amount of time I spend on a single brush session but I'm not sure. What I mean is that if I start brushing away and simply pause once in a while or lift the pen off the board to start a new stroke it feels like the behaviour is less likely to appear. If I however use the brush for a longer period of time without lifting it or pausing, the spinning ring will most definitely appear. It's like Photoshop buffers all my brush movements and then somehow chokes. I could get the spinning beach ball in earlier versions as well but once Photoshop so to say had catched up I could continue working. Now it chokes and I have to force quit. This is just a theory from side, I need to test it more.

I'm attaching a copy of the System info below as well.

Any ideas on what might be causing this behaviour is appreciated.

Thanks!

/Anders

Adobe Photoshop Version: 13.0 (13.0 20120315.r.428 2012/03/15:21:00:00) x64

Operating System: Mac OS 10.7.4

System architecture: Intel CPU Family:6, Model:26, Stepping:5 with MMX, SSE Integer, SSE FP, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, HyperThreading

Physical processor count: 8

Logical processor count: 16

Processor speed: 2260 MHz

Built-in memory: 12288 MB

Free memory: 7630 MB

Memory available to Photoshop: 11198 MB

Memory used by Photoshop: 70 %

Image tile size: 1024K

Image cache levels: 4

OpenGL Drawing: Enabled.

OpenGL Drawing Mode: Advanced

OpenGL Allow Normal Mode: True.

OpenGL Allow Advanced Mode: True.

OpenGL Allow Old GPUs: Not Detected.

OpenGL Version: 2.1 ATI-7.18.18

OpenCL Version:

Video Card Vendor: ATI Technologies Inc.

Video Card Renderer: ATI Radeon HD 5770 OpenGL Engine

Display: 2

Display Depth:= 32

Display Bounds:= top: 0, left: 1920, bottom: 1200, right: 3840

Video Renderer ID: 16915202

Video Card Memory: 1256 MB

Video Rect Texture Size: 16384

OpenGL Version: 2.1 ATI-7.18.18

OpenCL Version: 1.1 (Apr 9 2012 19:41:45)

Video Card Vendor: ATI Technologies Inc.

Video Card Renderer: ATI Radeon HD 5770 OpenGL Engine

Display: 1

Main Display

Display Depth:= 32

Display Bounds:= top: 0, left: 0, bottom: 1200, right: 1920

Video Renderer ID: 16915202

Video Card Memory: 1256 MB

Video Rect Texture Size: 16384

Serial number: 90970847541468733918

Application folder: Macintosh HD:Applications:Adobe Photoshop CS6:

Photoshop scratch has async I/O enabled

Scratch volume(s):

Samsung, 1.18T, 440.2G free

Macintosh HD, 222.8G, 134.9G free

Working Files, 223.3G, 138.9G free

Required Plug-ins folder: Macintosh HD:Applications:Adobe Photoshop CS6:Adobe Photoshop CS6.app:Contents:Required:

Primary Plug-ins folder: Macintosh HD:Applications:Adobe Photoshop CS6:Plug-ins:

Additional Plug-ins folder: not set

Installed components:

adbeape.framework adbeape 3.3.8.19346 66.1025012

AdbeScriptUIFlex.framework AdbeScriptUIFlex 6.2.29.18602 66.490082

adobe_caps.framework adobe_caps 6.0.29.0 1.276181

AdobeACE.framework AdobeACE 2.19.18.19243 66.492997

AdobeAGM.framework AdobeAGM 4.26.17.19243 66.492997

AdobeAXE8SharedExpat.framework AdobeAXE8SharedExpat 3.7.101.18636 66.26830

AdobeAXEDOMCore.framework AdobeAXEDOMCore 3.7.101.18636 66.26830

AdobeBIB.framework AdobeBIB 1.2.02.19243 66.492997

AdobeBIBUtils.framework AdobeBIBUtils 1.1.01 66.492997

AdobeCoolType.framework AdobeCoolType 5.10.31.19243 66.492997

AdobeCrashReporter.framework AdobeCrashReporter 6.0.20120201

AdobeExtendScript.framework AdobeExtendScript 4.2.12.18602 66.490082

AdobeJP2K.framework AdobeJP2K 2.0.0.18562 66.236923

AdobeLinguistic.framework 17206

AdobeMPS.framework AdobeMPS 5.8.0.19463 66.495174

AdobeOwl.framework AdobeOwl 4.0.93 66.496052

AdobePDFL.framework AdobePDFL 10.0.1.18562 66.419471

AdobePDFSettings.framework AdobePDFSettings 1.4

AdobePIP.framework AdobePIP 6.0.0.1654

AdobeScCore.framework AdobeScCore 4.2.12.18602 66.490082

AdobeUpdater.framework AdobeUpdater 6.0.0.1452 "52.338651"

AdobeXMP.framework AdobeXMPCore 66.145661 66.145661

AdobeXMPFiles.framework AdobeXMPFiles 66.145661 66.145661

AdobeXMPScript.framework AdobeXMPScript 66.145661 66.145661

ahclient.framework ahclient 1.7.0.56

aif_core.framework AdobeAIF 3.0.00 62.490293

aif_ocl.framework AdobeAIF 3.0.00 62.490293

aif_ogl.framework AdobeAIF 3.0.00 62.490293

AlignmentLib.framework xcode 1.0.0.1

amtlib.framework amtlib 6.0.0.75

boost_date_time.framework boost_date_time 6.0.0.0

boost_signals.framework boost_signals 6.0.0.0

boost_system.framework boost_system 6.0.0.0

boost_threads.framework boost_threads 6.0.0.0

Cg.framework NVIDIA Cg

CIT.framework CIT 2.0.5.19287 145486

data_flow.framework AdobeAIF 3.0.00 62.490293

dvaaudiodevice.framework dvaaudiodevice 6.0.0.0

dvacore.framework dvacore 6.0.0.0

dvamarshal.framework dvamarshal 6.0.0.0

dvamediatypes.framework dvamediatypes 6.0.0.0

dvaplayer.framework dvaplayer 6.0.0.0

dvatransport.framework dvatransport 6.0.0.0

dvaunittesting.framework dvaunittesting 6.0.0.0

dynamiclink.framework dynamiclink 6.0.0.0

FileInfo.framework FileInfo 66.145433 66.145433

filter_graph.framework AdobeAIF 3.0.00 62.490293

hydra_filters.framework AdobeAIF 3.0.00 62.490293

ICUConverter.framework ICUConverter 3.61 "gtlib_3.0" "." "16615"

ICUData.framework ICUData 3.61 "gtlib_3.0" "." "16615"

image_compiler.framework AdobeAIF 3.0.00 62.490293

image_flow.framework AdobeAIF 3.0.00 62.490293

image_runtime.framework AdobeAIF 3.0.00 62.490293

LogSession.framework LogSession 2.1.2.1652

mediacoreif.framework mediacoreif 6.0.0.0

PlugPlug.framework PlugPlug 3.0.0.383

UpdaterNotifications.framework UpdaterNotifications 6.0.0.24 "6.0.0.24"

wrservices.framework

Required plug-ins:

Embed Watermark NO VERSION - from the file “DigiSign.plugin”

Read Watermark NO VERSION - from the file “DigiRead.plugin”

Optional and third party plug-ins: NONE

Plug-ins that failed to load: NONE

Flash: NONE

Installed TWAIN devices: NONE

Report · Jun 08, 2012

I'm not sure you've already tried this, but if not, disable Save in Background and Automatically Save Recovery Information in the File Handling preferences. With both of these two preferences disabled, does the app still hang?

Thanks,

Adam

Report · Jun 08, 2012

Hi Adam,

I followed your suggestion and disabled both Save in Background and Automatically Save Recovery Information but Photoshop still hangs.

Thanks anyway!

/Anders

Report · Jun 08, 2012

Anders,

Does this hang only occur when you're using the Wacom tablet, or does it also occur if you use a mouse to drive the app?

(each data point will help me narrow down what's happening here)

Also, you can try to sample the app when it is hung using Activity Monitor. To do so, select the Photoshop CS6 process and click the Sample Process icon in the top left of the Activity Monitor dialog UI. If you do get a sample, I'll have you email it to me directly.

Thanks,

Adam

Report · Jun 08, 2012

Hi Adam,

Well, I just tried replicating the error using my default Apple mouse and nothing happened, ie no hanging of Photoshop. I then switched to my Wacom and sure enough, after about a minute of consistant brushing it hangs. Could it be Wacom? I have some troubles in CINEMA 4D that on some forums has been identified as Waom related but Photoshop has always played nice with my boards before.

I've uploaded a text-file of the Sample Process to https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2055280/Sample%20of%20Photoshop.txt, but if you'd rather have it mailed I'll fix that.

Thanks for all your help so far, I really appreciate it!

/Anders

Report · Jun 08, 2012

Anders,

Two more things to try:

#1 Go to the performance preferences and change the GPU setting from Advanced to Basic (if painting performance is the same, go to #2)

#2 Try disabling GL altogether by unchecking "Use Graphic Processor" in performance preferences

Do either of these changes help in your case?

Thanks,

Adam

Report · Jun 08, 2012

Tried both approaches (restarted application in between) but no go, Ps still got stuck and I had to force quit 😕

/Anders

Report · May 19, 2014

Been having the same issue with both PS CS6 and CC on three different computers (one MBP late 2011, one MP 2009 and one MP 2008) under Mountain Lion and Mavericks while working with a Intous 3 with the brush tool in an adjustment layer.

Been reinstalling, upgrading the OS and Photoshop and trying almost everything.

Finally managed to prevent CC from crashing when using the brush in an adjustment layer.

For me the solution was to set "Drawing mode" to "Normal" under "Preferences/ Performance/ Advanced settings as Aday Jerugim suggests in the 5th reply.

I do find this really weird, two of the computers were installed without moving my personal settings or using the migration assistant in OSX.

How could this issue present itself on all computers? The only similarties between the computers was my Wacom board.....

/Magnus

Report · May 21, 2014

Well, the fix changing drawing mode to "normal" only worked for a day.

Im afraid I need to get a new Wacom board instead.

Report · Dec 09, 2015

Hi Adam

Thank you very much! Zoom in and zoom out shortcut (command - ) with Wacom tablet is working again just by enabling the GPU card in File > Preferences > Performance > Graphic Processor Settings. It did helped me a lot!

Rubens W.

Report · Jun 08, 2012

The sample shows Photoshop doing almost nothing but waiting for the OS to provide event data.

It's about the same as Photoshop being completely idle, plus a few document updates and a tiny bit of mouse tracking and cursor updates (the busy cursor, probably).

Yes, there's a possibility that this is a tablet specific issue. We'll have to get more information (and do more testing here) to figure out what is going on.

Report · Jun 08, 2012

Yes, I also get the feeling that Photoshop is more idle than frozen. When I invoke the Force Quit command Photoshop is just listed as a regular app, with none of that "Application is not responding" in red letters that's usually the case.

/Anders

Report · Jun 12, 2012

I have a similar thing happening here, but on my aging iMac8,1 (3.06, 6 gigs of ram, plenty of internal and external scratch space) No wacom here, a Logitech mouse though, running via USB overdrive.

With me it's undos that are typically causing the hang, and as such, I notice it happening and don't keep clicking around. It hangs for anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes or so and then I can continue working. Once, it was happening on a document I had open for a while, once it was occurring on a file I opened, made an errant click, and hit undo. This was a 46.6 MB CMYK tif. I also had it occur while drawing a simple selection with the polygonal lasso - each time it would hang on the third click. That time, it would unhang, but then the selection would be all messed up and not display what was being selected.

Each time it happens, I see photoshop pinned at 99-100% in iStat. Doesn't seem to be related to running out of memory, as there is usually a good amount free when it's happening. I tried using the internal drive as the swap, and that didn't seem to matter.

I've been forced to go back to CS5 for the time being, but would love to see this solved. Is there any further info I could provide?

Report · Jun 12, 2012

Here are a couple of application monitor process samples: https://www.transferbigfiles.com/b6358f71-f720-4233-9e18-d290013506fe?rid=_vUQUQx3Xg-vON91hvNevg2

Not sure if that link will work. Let me know if you need them emailed.

Report · Jun 16, 2012

Same things here on MAC OS 10.7.4 MacBookPro 13inch early 2011+ 2.7 Ghz Intel Core i7 + 8 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 + Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB + Wacom Intuos5

I tried to do everything suggested here (no autosave - no save background - performance preferences set to Basic - unchecked "Use Graphic Processor")

I tried on 3D layer and also on layer masks (worse). On 3D brush hangs everytime with or without the Wacom. On layer masks it works fine but sometimes (I didn't notice if it depends on brush diensions or level zoom) it hangs and the colored spinning wheel stop the app but it is still responding if i try to force quit. If I do not force quit it start responding again in about a couple of minutes.

Report · Jun 18, 2012

Our suspicion is that the hangs when using CS6 are due to another application running at the same time as PS and stealing focus from it.

I posted this on another thread, but I'll do it again here:

Can you reproduce the hang if Photoshop CS6 is the only app running? If not, what other applications do you have running when PS hangs? If we can narrow down which app (or apps) aren't playing nice with PS (or vice-versa) that'll do a long way to helping us get this issue resolved.

Thanks,

Adam

Report · Jun 19, 2012

Hi Adam,

I'm away on vacation for another two weeks so I can't test your suggestion right now. But as far as I remember Ps will hang whether it's the only app running or not. I will test it as soon as i get back though.

/Anders

Skickat från min iPhone/Sent from my iPhone

Report · Jun 19, 2012

I tried here but just one time with no apps open other than Ps and the brush still hangs. I will again.

I also notice that when I'm at 100% zoom and painting on a layer mask Ps CS6 freezes for one or more minute. The brush rounded shape move but nothing happen. It doesn't hang like the case we're discussing because the effect of painting on the layer mask is perfect and in real time but, after that, it start freezing and the app in the activity monitor is still responding. I noticed that if I switch to Bridge and quit Bridge, Ps react immediately and everything start working again.

Report · Jun 20, 2012

I'm having the same problem as everyone else. MacbookPro 2010 Wacom Intuos 4.

Report · Jun 28, 2012

I'm having the same issue with PS CS6 and an Intuous 3 tablet. I have installed the latest drivers from Wacom. Photoshop will eventually return to be responsive after trying to paint with a brush, but it takes a few minutes of sitting idle.

Report · Jun 28, 2012

I'm having this exact same problem but in Flash CS6 with brush/eraser and a Wacom Cintiq 12WX. I got no responses when I posted about it in the flash forum so I thought i'd add it in here as well. Haven't painted in Photoshop cs6 enough yet to have experienced it, but it happens about once every 5-8 minutes in flash. Mac pro Early 2008 running osx 10.7.3

Report · Jul 06, 2012

OK, just tried and the hang occurs even if Ps is the only app running. I will have to reinstall Ps CS4 as CS6 is quite useless for me right now 😕

/Anders

Report · Jul 06, 2012

If you were on a PC I'd say you need an updated display driver. On a Mac you get those with OS updates. I suspect such an update is in the works, since ATI just released an updated display driver for PCs that works rather well with Photoshop CS6, but I know little about what's happening in Apple. The additional layer of Apple having to review the driver release from AMD before providing it to you no doubt causes additional delays for end users to get the fixes.

-Noel

Report · Jul 06, 2012

I've been working my way back through the Wacom driveras and so far driver 6.17-5 for Mac OS X 10.7, 10.6 and 10.5 (Intel & PPC G4+), released 02/11/2011, has been stable for very long brush sessions. In fact, no hangs at all so far. It might be too early to say for sure but I will leave this verion installed and see how it behaves.

/Anders

Report · Jul 06, 2012

Just for the record, I am using an Intuos 5 Touch with Driver v. 6.3.1w2 with CS6 on a MacPro running OSX 10.6.8 and have not run into the Brush slow-down or hang at all.

(The Intuos Touch mode is disabled and my Blue-tooth mouse is switched off — although a regular USB mouse remains connected but is not used because I do everything via keyboard or stylus.)

Photoshop CS6 hangs when using the brush (Mac OS X Lion)

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