When brush on the smate object, PS 2024 creates new layers on top of smart obj instead of ask if to rasterize layers. How to change it back? I don't need a new layer, I want to quicklly rasterize layers. Please advise.
I know from the beta forum that this is intentional behavioir but I find it extremely annoying and is a time suck.
Behavioir: When a intending to brush on a mask connected to a smart layer, adjustment layer, solid color layer or any other layer that cannot be painted on, but the mask layer is not currently active, a new pixel layer is created somewhere in the layer stack unbeknownst to the user and all brushstrokes are applied there.
Expected behavior: A dismissable dialog that serves to remind me to reselect the mask.
Disadvantages:
- The placement of the new layer seems arbitrary. It's not immediately above, nor is it at the top, though it always seems to land somewhere above. Occasioanlly it unclips a layer. This is a workflow disaster when it happens if not immediately noticed.
- The effect of the unintended brushstrokes may actually mimic the intended brushing on the mask (almost always true in the case of a solid color layer) causing the user to continue unaware of the new layer and its effect in the file. In a files with dozens or hunderds of layers, this is a real problem.
- The circumstance of having the mask layer not be active can itself be caused by Photoshop behavioir and not that of the user. Example: user is brushing on a layer mask whilst having a selection active, user temporarily goes into quick mask to alter the selection and then leaves quick mask. This causes the mask to be unselected. Photoshop does not return from quick mask in the same state it entered quick mask.
Advantages:
- Developers are intending to "reduce friction" for users who intended to brush where they could not by automatically creating a layer for them to do that.
Proposed solution:
- Can we have a dialog box with words to the effect of "This layer is not directly editable - Create new pixel layer? or Edit mask instead?" with the familar "don't show again" checkbox at the bottom. This would reduce fritcion in both cases.
Photoshop 25.0.0 Ventura 13.5.1 Studio Max M1 2022
I agree. This was previously announced on Twitter as a new feature in Photoshop 2023 (24.6), "Brush on a text, shape, or smart object layer for automatic layering and non-destructive editing." This was announced on Twitter, but did not actually work. https://twitter.com/Mikako76917122/status/1671375834899451905
However, in Photoshop 2024, it does work, and I am very confused. Professional retouchers work with layers that are pre-processed. That's how they manage the whole process. If you create layers in unexpected places without permission, you will lose control of the process. It is not a good idea to push kindness on the user. Users should be allowed to choose whether or not to use them.
Looked through the settings and couldn't find a way to revert this.
brush tool used on the smart object layer was the fastest way for me to rasterize them. I see how this feature change is a nice quality of life setting for those are actually drawing, but its a big downgrade in QOL for me.
Every time I accidentally use the brush on a locked layer, it creates a new empty layer which becomes active. I keep my flats (selectable areas) in a locked layer, so this happens more often than you'd think.
I sincerely hope this is a bug, and not some well-meaning but horrible new feature. If it's the latter, I need a way to turn it OFF. I lock layers because I've got the attention span and organizational skills of a gerbil. This doesn't help. I looked up and realized I had 4 new layers appear in my panel in the space of 20 minutes.
Need help with this as well, This new changes is messing with my muscle memories. Right clicking on layer and find resterize layer in a SEA of other tools sucks. Usually I just hit B for brush and click on the thing.
- Can we have a dialog box with words to the effect of "This layer is not directly editable - Create new pixel layer? or Edit mask instead?" with the familar "don't show again" checkbox at the bottom. This would reduce fritcion in both cases.
I'm with you, this feature can lead to a lot of confusion once you realize you have all these new layers in different spots within the layer tab. Someone please chime in and help fix this.
It doesn't matter if it is a bug or intentional... it is not welcome, PLUS the previous diolog pop up functionality was a better at teaching new users in classes.
The behavior is inconsistent as well - ex. if you try to paint on a generative fill layer, it prompts you with the traditional "smart object layer" warning first.
If I may suggest: go here: https://helpx.adobe.com/contact.html and click on the little speech bubble in the lower right hand corner of the screen. Then in the message field type: photoshop. Followed by some random text. Next option is select: "latest version of photoshop". When the assistant asks "did that help", click "no". Finally click: Chat with an agent. And report this to the agent.
Customer Care has nothing to do with software development or bug fixes/reporting. They will do nothing but redirect you back to the correct place which is here.
A better suggestion is to upvote this post. The more votes an idea/bug gets the more priority it gets with the team who does monitor this forum.
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