Photoshop layer mask feathering strange pattern in mask

[garyw1623995]

Using Photoshop when I use a tool to circle an object pick an adjustment layer and then feather the mask a strange random pattern appears in the layer or another layer that has a feathered mask. This problem has been consistent for over a year on two computers using Photoshop CC current version with a PC. The problem happens very soon after I complete the layer and start another task. To remove the pattern I have to delete that layer. Any help to resolve this would be appreciated.

[Michael J. Hoffman]

Hi Gary,

I've moved this discussion from Photoshop Fix (mobile app) to the Photoshop forum.

To better understand what is happening, please show a snapshot of your complete workspace including the Layers panel. Also please try to capture the screen shot as you’re feathering the mask.

Mike

[garyw1623995]

Thanks, Another photo with black squares on both sides that are a little hard to see plus the layer panel with the white boxes showing in brightness/contrast 2. I was working in brightness contrast 3 and the shapes just appeared in 2.

[Bojan Živković]

From what I see squares appears on Brightness/Contrast 2 mask. How you get those squares on layer mask? Either remove mask or fill white squares with black. I believe you will still have a problem with the transition so it is desired to use Blur filter after filling squares with black to soften the transition between black and white on the layer mask .

[Michael J. Hoffman]

Very strange, are you saying the white squares randomly appeared on the Brightness/Contrast 2 mask while you had Brightness/Contrast 3 selected?

If that’s true the case, I’d consider resetting Photoshop preferences. Something like that should never happen. Are you creating selections in those areas? Did you use the rectangular marquee tool to make selections there at any time?

As as mentioned above, it’s easily fixed, just select the mask #2 and fill the squares again with black. But understanding how and when it happens is key.

Mike

[garyw1623995]

Mike,

Yes, the squares randomly appear on Brightness/Contrast 2 while Brightness/Contrast 3 was selected.

The squares appear to be completely random and can be of any pattern but always with straight lines. I did not use the rectangular marquee tool to make any selections.

My work around is if I use the feathering on a mask to save prior to using and close and reopen if the lines happen. I also can delete the layer with the lines and remake it as a new layer.

This problem has happened to me dozens of times over the past year or two. I have Googled it but did not find anything but that may be related to not really knowing what to call this bug. I have taken several screen shots so that I would have some record of the issue in the past. The problem happened twice on the same image yesterday which is why I am now looking again for an answer on how to resolve this issue.

Gary

[garyw1623995]

Here are two more image samples that I had screen shots for. In this image the lines happened on multiple layers all at the same time.

[davescm]

Gary

As a troubleshooting step, go to Preferences Performance - uncheck Use Graphics Processor and restart Photoshop. See if the problem re-occurs with that off.

Dave

[garyw1623995]

OK thanks I will give this a try. I will let you know what happens.

Gary

[garyw1623995]

Dave,

I thought the Graphics Processor was the answer but today using a different Dell computer with the Graphics Processor not checked the lines appeared again in a new file. I was again using a mask on the brightness/contrast adjustment layer. The lines/boxes appeared shortly after I was done with that layer and while working on something else.  I have attached photos of everything I thought would be helpful to see this issue. I did include photo of just grayscale mask on adjustment layer. Any help would be appreciated. Is there some other place to post or email this issue and photos to get additional help? Thanks, Gary

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[davescm]

Hi Gary

I've not been able to reproduce this.

You can report a bug here : Photoshop Family Customer Community

Give as much info as possible on the conditions that bring the issue on and on the system(s) that it has occured on.

Dave

[Kazzpix]

Hi, was this problem solved? 

I’m haveing the same issue on photoshop 2020. 

[Catherine342640491nte]

Hi Kazz & Gary –

I know it's been a few years and you may not be in need of this answer anymore, but if it helps for anyone else finding this thread in the future, I was able to figure out a workaround when experiencing this same problem recently!

Instead of editing the mask as you normally might – by using a brush on the visible canvas – instead hold the ALT key and click on the layer mask with your mouse. This should convert your screen view to only show the mask, like this.

Then, take your brush and click anywhere on the canvas once. It doesn't matter where, what color the brush...just click on the canvas once. For me, this action instantly reverted the mask back to how it displayed prior to the error.

I don't know why this works. Considering there isn't a good reason the error occurs in the first place, I would chalk it up to just being a really weird bug. But for me, this action reverted the mask back instantly.

Just make extra sure that you do this after entering the black/white mask view with the ALT + Click first, because if you make any edits to the mask while in the normal view this will no longer work.

Hope this helps anybody else having the same issue.

This occured for me in the most recent photoshop version, 26.4.0.

[Michael J. Hoffman]

Also, another good thing to do would be:

Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the layer mask thumbnail to view only the grayscale mask.

Do this when you see the odd patterns, and post a screen shot of the greyscale mask.

Mike

[Trevor.Dennis]

Garry I'd be interested where that glacier is?

[garyw1623995]

Iceland