Step #1
If there's a problem, first look at the
Layers palette.
The #1 problem is not having the right layer active (highlighted).
Step #2
Second, look at the options bar.
Step #3
If a solution still hasn't been found, check for
other problems.
If the problem remains unsolved, you may have a
poltergeist infection.
Layers Palette Problems
1 - Wrong Layer Is Active
A layer is active (highlighted) when you click the layer.
Check which layer is active if:
• Photoshop isn't doing what the program is supposed to be doing.
• A box pops open saying you must flatten the layer, and you'd normally
not have to do so.
2 - Wrong Position in the Stack of Layers
Check to make sure the layer is in the right position in the stack
of layers.
The tutorials have screenshots of the layers stack.
Make sure the layers in your stack are in the same position as the
layers in the screenshot.
If you can't do something, check to make sure you haven't inadvertently
locked a layer.
A layer can be locked by clicking the padlock icon in the Layers
palette.
A padlock icon will appear on the right side of the layer.
The Background layer is locked by default.
You can unlock it by changing its name.
Check to make sure two layers are
grouped, if
they need to be grouped.
Options Bar Problems
The options bar is above your photograph.
There are three ways the options bar can create mayhem.
#1 - Tool Issues
Check to make sure you've selected the right tool.
• Some of the tool icons are similar.
For example, the icons for the Selection Brush, Magic Selection Brush,
the Brush tools look similar.
Selection Brush Tool
Dotted box on tip
Magic Selection Brush Tool
Red brush tip
Brush Tool
Plain
• Some tools are members of a tool family.
For example, the Lasso tool family includes the Lasso, Polygonal
Lasso, and the Magnetic Lasso tools.
Check in the options bar to make sure you've selected the right member
of a tool family.
• Occasionally a tool will "get sick" for no reason.
The tool will stop working properly.
For example, you may not be able to change the size of a brush.
To cure the tool, try the following.
• Select another tool, and then return to the recalcitrant tool.
• Select the tool icon in the options bar, right click, and select
Reset Tool.
#2 - Options Bar Settings
Check the options bar settings.
For example, you may have used the Brush tool last week as an airbrush.
This week, when you go to use the tool, it's misbehaving.
That's because it's still set to be an airbrush.
After you make some changes, two icons appear in the options bar,
at the far right end.
You have to cancel the change:
Or, you have to commit the change.
1 - Didn't Click OK
You have to click OK on many windows and dialogue boxes.
If you don't click OK, you won't be able to go on to the next step.
Background Colors
For most operations in Photoshop, you want to use the default foreground
color, black, and the default background color, white.
If the boxes in the lower-left corner of your screen aren't black
(top box) and white (bottom box), then press d.
If you press x, the colors will switch positions.
3 - Hidden Selection
Selection Is Hidden
If a tool is misbehaving, and you've been working with a selection,
check if the selection is hidden.
You may have pressed Ctrl + h to hide the selection.
Press Ctrl + h, again, to make a hidden selection appear.
If a selection reappears, do one of the following.
• Delete the selection by pressing Esc or Ctrl + d.
• Save the selection.
If you haven't already done so, go to
Saving Selections.
Hidden Selection Deleted,
But Still in Hidden Mode
You may hide a selection.
Then, later, you may delete it (press Esc or Ctrl + d) without first
making it reappear.
By doing the above, Photoshop Elements is still in hidden mode.
Any new selection is hidden.
So, you think the selection tool isn't working.
The selection tool is working, but you can't see the new selection
because it's hidden.
Press Ctrl + h to make it appear.
Don't delete a selection that's hidden.
Make it reappear (Ctrl + h), then delete it.
4 - Cropping & Snap to Grid
If you're trying to crop something, and the cropping border jumps
to places you do not wish to crop, then the snap-to-grid feature may
be engaged.
Press Ctrl to turn it off temporarily.
To disable the feature, go to View > Snap to Grid.
Photoshop Elements stores your preferences in a file.
If you haven't already, go to
Preferences.
If the preferences file becomes corrupted, Photoshop Elements may
display unexpected behavior.
Do the following.
Windows
1) Save your work.
2) Record your preferences.
Go to Edit > Preferences and click through the preference windows.
As you do so, jot down any preferences that you've changed from their
default settings.
3) Close Photoshop Elements.
4) Open Photoshop Elements, and while it's opening, quickly press
Shift + Ctrl + Alt.
If the Preference window doesn't appear, close Photoshop Elements,
and try again.
You may have to try this several times before you get the timing
right.
Alt + Ctrl + Shift and Ctrl + Alt + Shift also work.
5) A window will appear.
Click Yes to delete the Photoshop Elements preference file.
A new preferences file is created the next time you start Photoshop
Elements.
Mac
1) Save your work.
2) Record your preferences.
Go to Apple menu > Preferences and click through the preference windows.
As you do so, jot down any preferences that you've changed from their
default settings.
3) Close Photoshop Elements.
4) Open Photoshop Elements, and while it's opening, quickly press
Cmd + Opt + Shift.
If the Preference window doesn't appear, close Photoshop Elements,
and try again.
You may have to try this several times before you get the timing
right.
5) A window will appear.
Click Yes to delete the Photoshop Elements preference file.
A new preferences file is created the next time you start Photoshop
Elements.
Changing the Name of the Preferences File
You can disable the current preferences file by renaming it.
Then, when Photoshop Elements opens, it creates a new preferences
file.
This method may involve hunting through the files to find the preferences
file.
For example, the locations from the Adobe Knowledge Base were not
found on this writer's computer.
The file is called Prefs.psp.
Photoshop Elements 5.0 has a preference file for both the editor
(Prefs.psp) and the Organizer (psa.prf).
Windows
Show Hidden Folders
Preferences files are located in folders that are normally hidden.
By default, Windows Explorer doesn't show hidden folders.
Windows XP
1) In Windows Explorer (Windows key + e):, choose Tools > Folder
Options.
2) Click the View tab.
3) In Advanced Settings, select Show Hidden Files And Folders.
4) Deselect Hide File Extensions For Known File Types.
5) Click OK.
Windows Vista
1) In Windows Explorer (Windows key + e):, choose Organize > Folder
And Search Options.
2) Click the View tab.
3) In Advanced Settings, select Show Hidden Files And Folders.
4) Deselect Hide Extensions For Known File Types.
5) Click OK.
Disable the Preferences File(s)
1) Save your work.
2) Record your preferences.
Go to Edit > Preferences and click through the preference windows.
As you do so, jot down any preferences that you've changed from their
default settings.
3) Close Photoshop Elements.
2) Go to My Computer > Local Disk (C:) > Program Files > Adobe >
Your Version of Photoshop Elements.
3) Locate the Preferences folder.
4) Disable the Prefs file by renaming it, such as Prefs_old.
5) Open Photoshop Elements.
Photoshop Elements will create a new preferences file.
If the problem persists, then the preferences file was not the cause.
To restore your previous preferences, do the following.
1) Delete the newly created preferences file.
2) Change the name of the original Prefs file, which you renamed,
back to Prefs.
6 - Repair, Forums, & Adobe
If deleting the Preferences file doesn't help, insert the Photoshop
Elements installation disc and select Repair.
If Repair doesn't solve the problem, search these
forums for
a solution.
If there isn't a thread about the problem, join the forum and ask
about the problem.
If there's no solution on the forums, contact
Adobe.
Sometimes computers and their users are momentarily infected by a
poltergeist.
If this dire condition occurs, try starting over.
Save your work, reboot the computer, and do your equivalent of taking
the dog for a walk.
Version Sets Not
Being Saved Properly
The Problem
When you save a version set, it may not always be saved properly.
And, the version-set file may not appear in the Organizer.
Yet, the file for the version set is present in the folder in My
Pictures or iPhoto.
This was a major problem with Photoshop Elements 3.0.
However, several versions later, it can still occur.
So, keep an eye on whether version sets are being saved properly.
The Fix
If they're not being saved properly, go to File > Catalog > Recover.
If the version set doesn't appear in the Organizer, import it from
the folder where it's located.
Go to File > Get Photos.
The version set that were not saved properly can't be placed where
they should be.
However, you can stack them together with the version set containing
the original file and any properly saved versions.
1) Select the version set that contains the original and any properly
saved versions.
2) Select the version sets that are not in the correct location.
3) Go to Edit > Stack > Stack Selected Photos.
Prevention
Some photographers have found that turning off the Watch Folders
feature prevents the version-set problem.
Go to File > Watch Folders, and remove folders from the watch list.
An Alternative to Version Sets
You may want to avoid the problem by not using version sets.
Let's say you're editing DSC12345.
1) Open the Save As window.
2) Select Include in the Organizer and deselect Save in Version Set.
3) Add _edit1 to DSC12345.
DSC12345_edit1 is saved.
4) You do some more editing.
Save the file as DSC12345_edit2.
5) Stack the edited files with the original.
a) In the Organizer, select the following files.
DSC12345
DSC12345_edit1
DSC12345_edit2
b) Go to Edit > Stack > Stack Selected Photos.
You can select which version should appear on the top of the stack.
1) If the stack is collapsed, select the stack, and go to Edit >
Stack > Expand Stack.
2) Select the version of the photograph that you want to appear on
top, and go to Edit > Stack > Set as Top Photo.
Another Solution
Some photographers have abandoned the Organizer and use other software,
such as ACDSee 10.
