PS v22.4 Filter Options Greyed Out

[eddybaby]

I have been using PS v22 for some time, and have some presets there I use.

Recently I updated to PS v22.4 and I have noticed some filter options options are now greyed out (for example Filter>Render>Flame). I opened the same image in PS v21.2.8 and the filter options are available. 

How do I get the greyed out filter options to be avilable in v.22.4?

(I am using an iMac 2013 running macOS Catalina 10.15.7 with NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 1GB graphics card)

[davescm]

Check in Preferences >Performance - is your GPU enabled?

Dave

[eddybaby]

Dave,

In PS v22.4 the GPU settings are 'greyed out'. In PS v21.2.8 the GPU settings are not greyed out.

Edward

[davescm · Accepted solution]

There are several changes being made to GPU functionality.
1. Adobe are updating the core graphics functions in Photoshop. This is driven by the operating systems of Apple and Microsoft in which the old Open GL functions are being removed in the case of Apple, or deprecated in the case of Microsoft. This means that the graphics functions that have worked for years must be rewritten to use Metal and Direct X. At the same time, Adobe are sensibly updating those core functions to deliver the additional speed we require to handle the very large files of today.
2. Led by the changes being made above, Adobe introduced new GPU checks in 23.3.1. Unfortunately, these caused issues and have therefore been revised for v22.4. That means that many GPUs that incorrectly did not work in 22.3.1 will now be seen in 22.4 and will function.
3. Some functionality in Photoshop, such as 3D, still relies on the older Open GL graphics functions. To make these work, an additional preference Preferences>Technology previews>Deactivate Native Canvas has been added. This can be checked and Photoshop restarted to restore 3D functions to where they were in 22.3
4. Unfortunately, the move to update the core graphics functions will mean that some older GPUs will no longer be suitable. If you are using 22.4 and your GPU is still not recognised (and you only have a single GPU enabled – conflicting GPUs remain an issue) then you could try and force Photoshop to use your older GPU by creating a file PSUserConfig.txt containing the lines:
# Force GPU On
GPUForce 1
Save that text file to :
Windows: [InstallationDrive]:\Users \ [UserName]\ AppData\ Roaming\ Adobe\ [Photoshop_version]\[Photoshop_version]Settings\
macOS: //Users/[UserName]/Library/Preferences/[Photoshop_version]Settings/
Note though that this is requires 22.4 and is not officially supported by Adobe, so may cause other issues – so you do it at your own risk

Dave

[eddybaby]

Thank you for the information Dave.

To be clear, the GPU in my iMac is not suitable for PS v22.4, and therefore some functinality is no longer available?

Before I try the 'force' workaround you suggest, what 'other issues' is this likely to cause?

Edward

[davescm]

Photoshop is now looking for Direct X 12 or, for Macs, Metal support and at least 2GB VRAM (see link below)

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/photoshop-cc-gpu-card-faq.html

By forcing the use of a GPU that is deemed by Adobe not to pass the tests it applied when Photoshop starts up then you may get crashes when Photoshop tries to use the GPU. Personally, in your situation where it is not simple to just change the GPU, I would try it and see. If you get those crashes you could always disable it again by removing the text file and restarting.

Dave 

[eddybaby]

Dave, I added the attached .txt file to the Adobe Photoshop 2021 Settings in my user Library, restarted and there was no noticeable difference. What did I do wrong?

[davescm]

There should be a # in front of Force

It will only work with 22.4

Dave

[eddybaby]

Dave, seems to work fine at the moment, with the render options no longer greyed out. Thanks for your help. Edward

[davescm]

Good to hear, thanks for letting us know.

Dave