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 · Aug 10, 2012

Update: I spoke too soon earlier, the 6.17-5 driver for Wacom didn't help. About a week ago I upgraded to Mountain Lion but Ps still hangs if I use the brush tool.

/Anders

Report · Aug 13, 2012

A new Wacom Driver 6.3.3-3 for Mac OS X v. 10.7, 10.6 & 10.5 was posted last week.

It seems to be absolutely fine on my machine.

Report · Aug 14, 2012

Thanks, I'll give it a try!

/Anders

Report · Aug 14, 2012

Nope, no luck with the new drivers. I've re-installed Photoshop CS4 and will use that from now on, hopefully it will behave. It feels a bit daft as I've paid for CS6 but right now I see no other solution.

/Anders

Report · Mar 20, 2013

I have a sample of the process, if you need one.

Report · Mar 20, 2013

Ever got an official reply for this? It's getting worse by the day.

My personal suspect is Spotify, which I have running all the time, as far as I remember Photoshop didn't hang before I installed ity, but can't tell for sure. I get the hangs with every brush related tool (brush, eraser, cloning stamp, etc), and I just updated to the latest wacom driver, released on mar 18th.

It also seems to hang when I switch between applications, for example from Safari to Photoshop, then it hangs, or when I drag an image from Safari directly into my photoshop file.

Please provide a patch asap, this is becoming very frustrating.

Report · Mar 20, 2013

Please read the previous offical replies.

Report · Mar 20, 2013

All my major problems disappeared when I disabled the middle button on my Wacom pen. PS6 will still freeze from time to time when I select any brush related tool (it just freeze for 1-2 minutes) but it's only temporary glitches.

/Anders

Report · Mar 21, 2013

Thanks for the suggestion, unfortunately I can't do that because I have that button mapped to specific functions in almost every application I use, including Photoshop.

Report · Jun 19, 2013

Same exact thing was happening to me and I am also using a Wacom tablet. I seem to have found a solution that worked for me and it was not anything to do with the tablet as I to had suspect that was the problem.

I turned down the history amount of un-do's in preferences. I had it set really high almost maxed out and turned it down to 100 and everything worked great. No more issue with PS hanging. As a side not it was making my other applications and my Mac a little funky with that preference set so high. Once I turned it down everything went back to smooth and speedy as it used to be.

Hope that helps you guys or others that come here with the same problem because man it was frustrating.

Paul W.

Report · Jun 19, 2013

History states have only been set to 20. This may not be the same issue others of use are having as the hang is only after changing tools.

Report · Aug 01, 2013

This is driving me crazy too. I didn't have problems with CS3 or CS5. Photoshop just stops working when I use the brush, eraser, stamp, pretty much any drawing tools. It wakes up after about 5 minutes and then works fine for awhile. I am using a brand new iMac. It does it when I have no other programs running. So it doesn't seem to be a conflict with other apps. It can't just be me who is getting frustrated with this. When one is on deadline, one does not always have time to twiddle one's thumbs for five minutes. It seems to be a bug in the program that is specific to CS6. I am almost ready to just go back to CS5 for most of my professional work. Am hoping Adobe sorts this bug out.

It seems to happen typically when I start to work on a new image, or change a tool. It is very frustrating.

Report · Jan 05, 2014

Same problem here. Was using an Intuos 4, just upgraded to the Intuos 5 Pro and didn't make a difference. There is something called App Nap in Mavericks which can idle some apps. I disabled it in everything Photoshop and Wacom related, but it didn't seem to make a difference. The one thing I did notice was that when it i hangs, I can un hang it by using the Wacom mouse on the tablet. Not sure why that fixes it, but it does everytime.

Report · Jan 06, 2014

Seeems my fix for with the history actual didnt work for me either. It didnt do it for a bit but actually still does it. One thing that may work (at least it has for me so far). Is clicking on my Macs desktop. Seems to unfreeze the cursor.

Report · Jan 06, 2014

Here's what Wacom said to do (for Mac Mavericks):

The issue might be with the driver or Photoshop itself. Please try to reinstall the driver following the procedure below.

Open your Applications folder and locate any Tablet or Wacom Tablet folders you have

Use the Utility in each of these folders and click ‘Remove’ under ‘Tablet Software’

Once the software is removed, restart the computer

Once this is complete, download and install the latest 6.37 driver from:

http://cdn.wacom.com/u/drivers/mac/pro/WacomTablet_6.3.7-3.dmg

As always, make sure your tablet is connected directly to your computer.

Avoid using USB hubs, keyboard/monitor ports, or docking stations with the tablets, as they can cause inconsistent behavior.

I've tried what they said and it seems to work, but I haven't spent much time with it.

Report · Jan 06, 2014

I updated to an Intuos 5 and it seems to have solved it. It is no longer a problem for me. Before I had an Intuos 2 and updating drivers did not help. But Intuos 5 seems work fine with CS6. Seems like new technology needs to play with other new technology to work correctly.

Report · Aug 26, 2012

I am experience the same problem here.

Seems to be the same on both the intuos 2 and 5 tablets...

Renders photoshop cs6 nearly useless for my purposes!

I hope there is a fix coming soon...there must be a lot of other mac users out there with the same problem...

Model Name: Mac Pro

Model Identifier: MacPro5,1

Processor Name: 6-Core Intel Xeon

ATI Radeon HD 5870 1024 MB

Mac OS X Lion 10.7.4 (11E53)

Report · Aug 29, 2012

Been having the EXACT same issue for over a month now and am getting really frustrated. I have tried, uninstalling, re-installing, not having any other apps running, downloading and installing new Wacom drivers and it still hangs up on the Brush Tool. I am using CS6, 10.7.4, MacPro (late 2010 model) and Wacom Intuos 4 Tablet.

The good news is that if I start selecting other tools, or double-clicking on layers it will eventually "wake up" but then I have to go back in the History Panel and delete my last few steps because, even though it's idle or hanging up, it still recognizes my movements with the Tablet Stylus.

I really hope this fix happens soon too.

/Seth

Report · Aug 30, 2012

++ Plus one having the same issue. Can't seem to get it to free up either. Seems this version of PS still has s few kinks to iron out...

I'm also hating massive swap files on the boot disk - grrrr.

Report · Sep 11, 2012

Hello all,

I'm having the same issues with the brush, clone, healing, tool etc...random freezing...so disappointing. I am using a Mac Pro with 6 gb of RAM and am running Snow Leopard (latest release). I too, am using the Wacom Intuos 4 tablet with pen when the freezes occur.

Anybody find a solution for this yet?

I have updated to the newest version of Photoshop CS6.

Thanks,

Norm

Report · Sep 16, 2012

Try to make middle button disabled in Wacom preference.

It did work for me.

Report · Sep 16, 2012

About a week ago I downgraded the OS from Mountain Lion to Lion as I had too many issues with Mountain Lion to be productive (kernel panic twice a day). I also had a vague hope that Lion would play better with Ps CS6 but nope, stille the same problem.

Tonight I disabled the middle button for Ps in Wacom prefs as per the suggestion above and I've been able to actually use the brush for a whole 30 minutes now without a hang! I have been able to use the eraser, the cloning tool and all other tools that depends on the brush function. It's probably too early to celebrate but it does look promising.

/Anders

Report · Oct 12, 2012

Ever since I disabled the Wacom pen's middle button for Photoshop I haven't experienced a single hang! Sometimes when I select the brush and start working I can get a freeze for up to 30 seconds where I can move the cursor, select and access other active applications (although any Photoshop files I have open are obscuring the view) but cannot select or access anything in the Photoshop application itself. This freeze is only momentarily and definitely something I can live with.

/Anders

Report · Nov 25, 2014

Same problem. Running Yosemite 10.10.1, CS6, Wacom Intuos Pro with the latest version v6.3.10-2 and the problems I get (which seem to be the same or nearly the same as the others) is that when I'm using a tool, any tool, it will continue to run in that tool or hang even when I lift the pen from the tablet. PS runs fine but the tool is still active without it being pressed upon the tablet. The only way to disengage that tool is to click the surface (outside of my work area so that I don't needlessly cause any changes to my photo) or change tools. It's especially irritating because my undo will not work nor will any keyboard functions because it hangs in that tool until I do something to unhang it. I originally had an Intuos 3 and from the forums I read, I figured that the pen sensitivity was shot so instead of investing in another expensive pen, I upgraded to the Intuos Pro (5). But the issues remain. It's hard to say what the problem is; it seems to have started around the time I updated to Mavericks and it continues in Yosemite. I've tried all the above fixes without any changes. I hope someone resolves this issue.

Report · Nov 25, 2014

Yikes. Glad you posted this Scapeartist. I was about to upgrade my intous 3 for a new one thinking it may be the tablet itself as well. It gets real old when it hangs and I have to click on my desktop to make it stop. Been like this for awhile now. I am starting to give up hope that they will fix it. Been like this for wayyyyyyy too long. Not sure if it is on adobe or wacoms end or both but it stinks.

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

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