Photoshop does not recognise Library in the Photos App of Macbook Pro

[inézr48487359]

I recently started using a Macbook Pro after years of Windows use. I am thus in a steep learning curve. Photoshop does not detect a Library in my Photos App when I try opening a photo in Photoshop. However, when I open the Photos App, Library is right at the top, and the photo I am looking for is visible there. Can anyone please help with advice?

[inézr48487359]

Just to confirm: Photoshop (Creative Cloud) is up to date. 

[kglad]

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post if it helps you get responses.

<"moved from using the community">

[inézr48487359]

Thank you for your email--
Inèz Rossouw

<information removed- kglad >

[kglad]

you're welcome, but do not reply by email or remove your signature before sending.

[Conrad_C]

When an image is in stored in the Apple Photos Library, it is not exposed to the normal computer file system. It’s contained inside the Photos Library, similar to how Adobe Lightroom and (I think) Google Photos manage photos in their own proprietary databases. In other words, you cannot find the images by browsing folders in the normal File > Open dialog box.

The good news is, Apple does provide ways for non-Apple applications to use media in the libraries created by Apple Music, Apple Photos, and Apple iMovie.

To do this using drag-and-drop:

In Apple Photos, drag the image, and drop it in the Photoshop application window, such as the Home screen.

(If you drop the Photos image into a Photoshop document window instead, it will be added as a new layer in that document instead of opened as its own document.)

To do this through the Open dialog box:

1. Choose File > Open as you normally would (or click the Open button on the Home screen). 

2. Look in the sidebar for the Media section, and expand it. 

3. Click Photos. This displays the Apple Photos media library in the main part of the Open dialog box. 

4. Select the photo(s) and click Open. 

In the future, you will find that some consumer-oriented applications provide Apple Photos import up front, such as with a button on the main window. In other macOS applications, such as Photoshop, you may need to get to Apple Photos images through the Media section in the Open dialog box as in the steps above.

Photoshop does not provide its own direct access to or from Apple Photos because traditionally, images used with Photoshop are stored in the normal file system, not through Apple Photos, such as a folder of images received from a client.

IMPORTANT: After opening an image from Apple Photos into a different application (such as Photoshop), it’s recommended that you immediately choose File > Save As and save it to the folder where you want to store the edited version. If you save it to the folder where Apple Photos was storing it, that is not a folder you can normally see in the file system so you won’t be able to get to it on the desktop or from other applications. In addition, the hidden folders managed by Apple Photos should only be modified by Apple Photos; changing those hidden folders with other applications may screw up the Photos Library.

[inézr48487359]

Thank you for such a lovely and clear explanation. It is highly appreciated.

However, I have been following the route through the Open Dialog Box prior to posting my question. And the problem is that when I reach Step 3 (after epanding the Media section) and click on Photos, Photoshop tells me that there is no Library. Is it possible that I could have corrupted the Library in my current ignorant state re MacBook? (The Library is vissible to me). If so, how could I fix it? Should I wipe the computer clean (factory settings)? I do not have a lot on the system yet as I have been using it for a week or so only.

[inézr48487359]

If I did screw up the Photo Library how do I rectify it, please? I bought a very expensive computer to be able to use Photoshop on it, and Photoshop does not recognise my Library. Is there anybody that can help me, please? Should I address the issue at another forum? The answer I received did not rectify the problem as I did follow the suggested steps, but Photoshop cannot "see" my library. Should I adjust something in Photoshop, perhaps?

[Conrad_C]

Sorry I didn’t get back to this right away…don’t wipe anything yet. Are the problems getting into the Photos Library happening only in Photoshop, or also with other software such as Apple Photos?

• If the problem is happening with any software that tries to get into the Photos Library, and especially if Apple Photos itself is having trouble using its own Photos Library, then the problem is outside of Photoshop and should be discussed with someone at Apple support or their public support community. 
• If the problem is happening only with Photoshop, then there might be a problem with Photoshop that Adobe support or people in this support community might help to address. 

[inézr48487359]

When I click on the Apple photos app, everything run smoothly: I can see all photos in the Library. However, when I try to attach a photo to an email, the same issue exists. So, it seems to be an Apple issue. Thank you for the good advice. I'll try and find Apple support.

[Stephen Marsh]

This has come up before on the Bridge forum, perhaps this will help:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/bridge-discussions/how-do-i-view-my-mac-photo-library-in-bridge/m-p/1...

https://www.organizepictures.com/2016/01/move-away-from-photos

[inézr48487359]

Thank you for this as well. Also helpful.