Remove Tool Doesn't Work

[GDBart]

I'm running Photoshop 25.11.0 on Mac Big Sur. The Remove Tool is present in my toolbar, but when I select it, instead of a brush icon, I get the universal "NO" icon... a circle with a diagonal slash. See attachment.

[gener7]

We would need to see the entire workspace with the layers panel open. Cmd-Shift-3 will produce a Fullscreen snapshot file on the Mac Desktop which you can then upload in a reply.

[GDBart]

Here you go...

[gener7]

The Layer you are on is invisible because you unclicked the eyeball next to it, and that is why you see the prohibited symbol. You can choose a visible layer and if need be, checkmark "sample all layers" in the top options bar. I guess you have that layer turned off for a reason.

Also I uncheck "remove after each stroke". That way if an item needs more than one stroke to cover it, I can do that before clicking "apply".

[GDBart]

Oh, how I wish it was that simple!! Here it is with the visibility turned on. Sorry about my stupidity....

[gener7]

Try selecting  the bottom layer and go to the Option bar at the top, just under the menu. Checkmark "Sample all Layers."

[GDBart]

No good. Btw, I've tried all of that already.

[gener7]

Have you tried deleting the invisible layer?

The Error message suggests deleting the old layer and recreating a new one:

Also you can open a blank file Cmd-n and see if the remove tool works. Might also try resetting it.

[GDBart]

Here's a new blank document...

[GDBart]

Could it be my Mac OS, which is Big Sur. Will the Remove Tool work in Big Sur?

[gener7]

I'm running Monterey, so I can't answer that. And I'm reluctant to tell you what to do to your system, although I suspect Big Sur is getting obsolete and you might want to upgrade.

However you can go into Preferences > Image Processing and adjust the Remove Tool  to "More Stable."

Photoshop 2023 also has the Remove Tool and you are free to install and run it alongside 2024 and see if that works better with Big Sur.

Go into your Creative Cloud Desktop App choose Photoshop and fom the 3 dot menu, Other versions.

At this point, I'm at the "do no harm" stage and I would like to leave further advice to the better Mac minds here.

[GDBart]

I was running PS 2023 just this morning, then decided to upgrade to 2024. The Remove Tool didn't work in either version. I appreciate and thank you for all of your help though 🙂 

[Jeff Arola]

It does seem to indicate here that macOS Monterey 12.6.3 or later is required

under

Recommended/Minimum hardware environment for Remove tool

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/retouching-repairing-images.html?x-product=Helpx%2F1.0.0&x-p...

 Adobe should put these kind of limitations on the Photoshop System Requirements page.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/system-requirements.html

[GDBart]

Thanks for the reply, Jeff. I just checked my Creative Cloud App to make sure that the Remove Tool Add-Ons were installed, and they were. Here's a screen shot of what's under my hood.... 

[GDBart]

Thanks again, Jeff. Looks like an upgrade is in my future 🙂