PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

I've been using PSE 2019 for a couple years now and just recently had a problem making a layer copy when editing. My normal routine is to open a file in camera raw, make a few adjustments to it then open the image. After opening the image I make a duplicate layer using the shortcut, Control-J. It now does not make a duplicate. There is a very small icon which appears at the right side of the background layer label, showing a faint lock and a checkerboard patterned background. When I click that to unlock the layer, the following message appears: "This action cannot be performed on a file with 16 bit depth. Do you want to convert the file to 8 bits/channel?" with two buttons, "convert depth" and cancel.

I do not recall ever seeing that in any previous editing of any files until the past couple of days. Have I inadvertently made a change in my settings or was this something that automatically updated? Can I somehow change it back?

Thank you in advance for any assistance.

Oh, I tried chatting with Adobe support and the only response was the virtual agent passing me to a representative, getting the message the wait is estimated to be less than a minute, then waiting for nearly half an hour, getting nothing from anyone.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

In ACR, make sure the setting is 8-bit. That is the only way to continue editing once you're in the PSE workspace.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

All versions of PSE have always been an 8-bit editor in most of the layer-based tools. You seem to have hit one such tool and / or have never used this specific tool in the past. Or, as noted above, your bit-depth setting in ARC had always been 8-bit in the past, but was set to 16-bit today and you didn't notice the change.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Thank you for the response. I've never had the problem before, was always able to duplicate the background layer. How do I make sure it will always be on 8 bit for future editing?

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Thank you for the reply. I have used the same procedure for several years, including on previous versions of PSE, but for the past couple of days I could not follow my routine. I have no idea how it was changed, if that is what happened.

Linda from Maine also replied and I've asked her how to reset it, since I do not know how it got changed.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

It will stay at 8-bit once you change it in ACR (look near the bottom of screen; I think it's labeled "depth.").

As for how it got changed, sometimes we manage to do things we didn't intend to have happen (stray click of mouse or hitting the wrong key combo)

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

I see that I can change it under the image drop down menu, but it reverts back to 16 bit after I close that photo and then I open another raw file for editing. I cannot find anywhere to make the change permanent for all files that I open in RAW.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

In the Microsoft area, I've noticed recently that defaults, last used settings aren't being remembered in PSE and LR. I've just lived without, but it's often enough to capture my attention. This anecdote may mean nothing, but it could be what's going on as in something funky where Adobe saves their values and MS resting that area (or how that area is read) with ongoing updates.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Make the change in the Adobe Camera Raw edit section - the first screen that appears when you open a raw file (you called it "camera raw" in your opening; I called it ACR in my first and second replies ).

(Download)

Billhilly Loc: Arkansas

You might try these folks. Very knowledgeable about PSE.
https://photoshopelementsandmore.com/board/3/photoshop-elements-editor

Bill

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The answer is simple (I already provided); the OP just needs to back up a bit and he'll get unstuck. We've all been mired in brain cramp mud at times

koratcat

Or a cat stepping on the keyboard can accomplish astounding changes!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

HA - no doubt!!

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I use Ps and not PSE since PSE9. Even in Ps the ACR (Camera Raw Converter) controls everything else including Ps it self. Not sure the OP understood those settings are a bit hidden in that line at the bottom of the ACR page opening. Seems bit depth and file physical size is controlled there too.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

My third attempt at helping included a visual aid

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-700695-1.html#12320565

.