Category: PSD Repair

Introduction to layers and Smart Objects

A layer in Photoshop, as the name suggests is a file that you can stack one on top of the other. A new image has only one layer. But when you add more layers on top of this original image, you can add more data or just use them for color or tone adjustments. Thus, by using layers you can alter an image to your liking, without editing the original pixels.

Smart objects on the other hand are a special type of layer that contains image data. They are designed to contain all original characteristics of the layer and also give you the freedom to perform a thorough non-destructive editing of the layer.

Solution to fix the error ‘Could not complete your request because the smart object is not directly editable’

But editing a Smart Object is not very straightforward and some users have complained about the following error when trying to edit a Smart Object.

‘Could not complete your request because the smart object is not directly editable’.

Solution 1: Convert Smart Object to a normal layer

The error ‘Smart Object is not directly editable’ occurs mainly because a smart object contains data in a non-destructive container file. And because of this, you are not allowed to edit this smart object file directly.

A workaround to this problem is to convert the Smart Object to a normal layer. To do that, first select the Smart Object you want to edit from the Layers panel and follow one of these methods.

1. In the Layers panel, double click on the Smart Objects icon
2. The second option is to convert the Smart Object to a raster layer. To do so, go to Layer > Simplify Layer
3. Go to Layer > Smart Objects > Edit Contents
4. Go to Properties and select Edit Contents

By following one of the above methods, you can convert the Smart Object to a normal layer, which you should be able to edit easily.

Solution 2: Unlock the image layer

In most cases, converting the Smart Object to a normal layer (as explained in Solution 1) should resolve the error ‘Smart Object is not directly editable’. However, if that doesn’t help, it could be because the image is locked.

To unlock the image, please follow the instructions below.

1. Open the Smart Object you want to edit
2. Go to Layers and click on the Lock icon

Once the image is unlocked, you should be able to edit the contents without any errors.

Conclusion

Adding layers will help you alter the image without modifying original pixels. This helps avoid damage to the original image in most cases. However, there are some instances that cause your PSD file to get damaged or corrupt such as Photoshop hanging when working on an image or Photoshop malfunction, etc.

In such cases, Remo Repair will repair corrupt PSD files on your Mac or Windows. It repairs your image using a read-only mechanism, so all layers of the image file are recovered without any changes. If you have a corrupt PSD image that needs to be repaired, check out Remo Repair PSD and give it a try.

Adobe Photoshop is a brilliant application used for various purposes right from editing a simple image to creating amazing movie posters. DSLR cameras have become accessible to everyone and these cameras shoot in RAW mode. One of the limitations of Adobe Photoshop is its inability to open RAW images. However, there is a workaround for that.

Canon cameras produce a CR2 RAW image file. Two different Canon cameras will have different CR2 files. To edit a CR2 file, you must have the latest version of Adobe Camera Raw plugin. Each camera model should be added to this plugin.  Adobe Camera Raw supports various file formats – CR2, CRW, DNG, ERF, RAF, GPR, 3FR, FFF, DCR, KDC, MRW, MOS, NEF and so on.

Let us look at a couple of methods to open Photoshop files:

1. Updating Photoshop

• Open Photoshop. Click on Help -> Updates. This will check for any updates for Photoshop and its plugins, including your Camera Raw plugin.
• If there is an update available for the Camera Raw plugin, it will be displayed in the Adobe Application Manager list. Select it and click on Update.
• If the automatic update failed, you can install the plugin manually as well. Just download your appropriate plugin from the list below:

Adobe CS4 – ACR 5.7 (https://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/thankyou.jsp?ftpID=4683&fileID=4375)

Adobe CS5 – ACR 6.7 (https://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/thankyou.jsp?ftpID=5603&fileID=5613)

Adobe CS6 – ACR 9.1.1 (https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-in-installer.html)

Adobe CC 2014/15 – 9.7 (https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-in-installer.html)

• Open the file in Photoshop again. If the Adobe Camera Raw update was successful, the CR2 file will open in a Camera Raw window.

NOTE: If you are trying to view RAW photos using an older version of Photoshop, you may be able to view it if the photos were taken by cameras released after ACR version.  Ex: If you are using Canon 5d Mark IV, you should have ACR 7.1 or later, which is absent in CS4 or CS5.

2. Convert RAW to DNG format

• Group all your CR2 files and place them in one folder. The conversion will allow you to select folders.
• Download the latest version of DNG converter (http://www.adobe.com/downloads/updates.html). DNG is also a RAW format with access to all the raw colors. This conversion is necessary if you are running the version of Photoshop that is too old for your camera model.
• Install your DNG converter.
• After installation, on the home screen, you can select “Select Folder” and browse for the folder containing RAW files. If there are subfolders within this folder, consisting of RAW files, check the option “Include images contained within subfolders”.
• Now select a location to save the converted files. By default, the files will be saved in the same location as the original. You can always choose a different folder if you want files to be stored somewhere else.
• Now select automatic formatting to converted file names by filling text fields.
• Click on Change Preferences. Now click on Compatibility drop-down menu to select the correct ACR file to match your version.
• Now click on Convert to begin the conversion process.
• After the conversion is complete, you can open the DNG images in the Camera Raw plugin of Adobe Photoshop.

Despite your best efforts, Photoshop documents are prone to corruption as well. If your Photoshop file is corrupted, you cannot open the file.  Adobe Photoshop shows an error that end of file was encountered. You can repair photoshop unexpected end of file error using Remo Repair PSD software.

PSD files can also be corrupted if you are unable to read the data present in several layers you have created. If you ever get a photoshop error problem reading layer data, there is an easy solution available. Remo Repair PSD software repairs your PSD file and recovers all the layers separately.

The best thing about Remo Repair PSD software is that it doesn’t change the source file. It creates a new file for repair, keeping all the layers and other elements intact.