What is causing the smart object is not directly editable error?
We investigated this particular issue by looking at various user reports. We also managed to replicate the error on one of our testing machines. From what we gathered, there are a couple of scenarios that will lead to the apparition of this error message: If you’re struggling to resolve this particular issue, this article will provide you with a couple of repair strategies. Below you have a couple of fixes that a lot of users encountering the same issue have used to get around the “Could not complete your request because the smart object is not directly editable” error prompt.
Method 1: Unlocking the image layer
As a couple of users have reported that the solution was as simple as opening the image that was producing the error in Photoshop and unlocking the image layer. This will allow you to delete, cut, or modify the image selection without receiving the Could not complete your request because the smart object is not directly editable” error. Here’s a quick guide on how to do this: If you’re still seeing the same error, move down to Method 2.
Method 2: Resolving the vector conflict
Another common approach that will produce this error is if you tried to use raster-based tools over a shape layer. There are two ways in which you can resolve the conflict of this king:
You use vector tools to edit or remove all vector elements (pen tool, direct selection tool, etc.)You rasterize the layer so that you can use raster-based tools
Because rasterizing is way easier and can be applied to most scenarios, we are going to focus on that. Here’s a quick guide on how to rasterize the layer that is causing you issues: If you don’t want to rasterize the layer simply try to rasterize the object and it should work just fine.
Fix: Could not Complete your request because it is not a valid Photoshop…Fix: Could not complete your request because of a problem parsing the JPEG dataPhotoshop could not Complete your Request because of a Program ErrorFix: ‘Object Reference Not Set to an Instance of an Object’ Error on Windows
