These are some common problems that can occur in Photoshop and the possible solutions. This list is constantly growing and changing. It is a work in progress.
Tool does not work
Wrong layer selected.
Layer locked,
Object has not been rasterized.
Another object is selected
The file type is not correct
Select correct layer. Highlighted layer is
active layer. Change this by clicking on a
new layer to make it active.
Unlock layer - click on padlock icon for the
desired layer.
Rasterize Image - Look for box symbol
with dots in corners on the layer
thumbnail. Solution - Right click on layer
and select "rasterize"
Re-set the selection tool by clicking
select - > deselect, or <ctrl> + <d> .
Many functions and tools are restricted to
specific file types. Check the current file
type and adjust as needed. Look under
Image - > Mode. Select "RGB Color" as
this is the most universal format used.
Tool selects wrong object
Wrong layer selected.
Target area is too small for the tool
Tool is too large for the target area
Select correct layer. Highlighted layer is
active layer.
Zoom in on the target area using Zoom In
or <ctrl> + <+> .
Adjust tool size or sensitivity under tool
options. Usually this is a numerical value
or a slide bar.
Can not select an object
Wrong layer selected.
Another area is selected
Select correct layer. Highlighted layer is
active layer.
Re-set the selection tool by clicking
select -> deselect, or <ctrl> + <d> and
re- attempt to select the object.
Inserted object or background spills over the target area
Object or background needs to be
resampled and resized.
In Photoshop the size and resolution of a
file can be seen in the lower left-hand
corner of the object window. Never work
from the original. Make a copy of the
source file. Access the image size by
selecting image - > image size. Adjust the
resolution to match the resolution of the
targeted workspace. Click "OK". Use
Edit - > Free Transform to adjust the
dimensions of the object to fit the
intended target space. Copy and past the
resampled object into your target image.
Object or background too small for the targeted area
Object or background needs to be
resampled & resized.
In Photoshop the size and resolution of a
file can be seen in the lower left-hand
corner of the object window. Images can
always be made smaller. How large an
image can be made is dependent upon
the total pixel count of the image .
As long as the pixel count of the
image is close to the pixel count of the
target area, enlarging the object is
possible. Make a copy of the
source file. Access the image size by
selecting image - > image size. Adjust the
resolution to match the resolution of the
targeted workspace. Click "OK". Use
Edit - > Free Transform to adjust the
dimensions of the object to fit the
intended target space. Copy and past the
resampled object into your target image.
Image is pixelated
Image has too few pixels for the intented size.
Find a new source image with a total pixel count equal to or greater than the targeted image pixel count.