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Why Is My Lighting Effects Greyed Out in Photoshop?

Last updated on September 24, 2022 @ 1:17 pm

If you’re wondering why your lighting effects are greyed out in Photoshop, it’s most likely because you’re using an older version of the software. Lighting effects were first introduced in Photoshop CS6, so if you’re using an earlier version, you won’t be able to access them.

Even if you’re using a newer version of Photoshop, there are some circumstances where the lighting effects will be greyed out. For example, if you’re working with a background layer that doesn’t have a transparent background, the lighting effects will be disabled.

So why are lighting effects so important? Well, they allow you to simulate different light sources in your image, which can add depth and dimensionality.

With lighting effects, you can create the illusion of sunlight shining through a window, or place a spotlight on a particular area of your image. You can even add realistic-looking shadows.

If you’re working with an older version of Photoshop and you’re desperate to use lighting effects, there is a workaround that might help. You can try converting your background layer into a Smart Object. To do this, right-click on the layer and select “Convert to Smart Object.” Once you’ve done this, go to the “Filter” menu and select “Render.”

Then choose “Lighting Effects” from the drop-down menu. This should give you access to the lighting effects panel.

Keep in mind that this workaround might not work in all cases, but it’s worth a try if you’re stuck with an older version of Photoshop and you really want to use lighting effects.

PRO TIP: If you are using Photoshop CC and you cannot find the Lighting Effects filter in the Filter menu, it may be because the filter is not compatible with your graphics processor. To use the Lighting Effects filter, you must have a graphics processor that is compatible with OpenGL 2.0 or later.

Why Is My Lighting Effects Greyed Out in Photoshop?

If you’re wondering why your lighting effects are greyed out in Photoshop, it’s most likely because you’re using an older version of the software.

Lighting effects were first introduced in Photoshop CS6, so if you’re using an earlier version, you won’t be able to access them.

Even if you’re using a newer version of Photoshop, there are some circumstances where the lighting effects will be greyed out.

For example, if you’re working with a background layer that doesn’t have a transparent background, the lighting effects will be disabled.

Morgan Bash

Morgan Bash

Technology enthusiast and Co-Founder of Women Coders SF.