5 Replies Latest reply: Dec 2, 2014 7:35 PM by dandiddotcom RSS

    Could not build preview because of program error - CS6/Mac

    David A. Gruber Community Member

      I have a very simple two-layer image, and am using layer style "bevel and emboss" and the preview of changes starts out working fine. A little more monkeying around and the preview stops refreshing and the OK button just flashes. Click on OK to exit the layer style window and try to save the file (so I can quit and come back in) and I get this error: "Cannot build a preview because of a program error" and the file is not saved.

       

      I found a similar thread on a support forum that suggested disabling all visible layers and saving, which works for saving the file. But when I try to preview my layer changes, it's back to the way it was: the first preview may show, then it stops entirely.

       

      I am using CS6 13.1 x64 extended on a Mac running 10.8.2 with 8G of RAM and no other open apps.  Any ideas?  Thanks much.

        • 1. Re: Could not build preview because of program error - CS6/Mac
          Chris Cox Adobe Employee

          Install the 13.1.1 update.

          • 2. Re: Could not build preview because of program error - CS6/Mac
            letterlaw234 Community Member

            THANK YOU THANK YOU for posting "disabling all visible layers and saving, which works for saving the file."

             

            My large layered file is saved. I am now thanking you instead of rebuilding hours of work.

            • 3. Re: Could not build preview because of program error - CS6/Mac
              metzimage694 Community Member

              I had a similar problem today (in Photoshop CC 2014). When I tried to save as a psd or layered TIFF, got the error message "Cannot build a preview because of a program error". It did allow me to save as a jpg using "Save for Web".

               

              Tried the suggestion to make all layers non-visible, and it worked! So then I investigated...my document had 13 layers, so I went back and made the layers visible, one by one, saving after each, to locate the offending layer. Sure enough, only one layer was causing the problem...i.e., Photoshop would save as a psd with all the other layers visible, but not with that one. This layer happened to be an imported image with a Color Burn blending mode, with an unlinked mask. So then I linked the mask, and it saved successfully!

               

              Was the error reproducible? No...I unlinked the mask again, on that same layer, and again it saved just fine. I tried creating, in another document, a similar layer with Color Burn blending, and an unlinked mask. Again, it saved just fine.

               

              Anyway, I hope this helps anyone who gets that error message, and provides a basis for further troubleshooting.

               

              David Metz

              Lead Designer, www.iconella.com

              • 4. Re: Could not build preview because of program error - CS6/Mac
                patrickplaggenborg Community Member

                I had a similar problem in Adobe Photoshop CC 2014. I could not save my large file because of the error 'Could not build preview because of program error'.

                 

                After I made all layers hidden Photoshop saved my file just fine.

                 

                Then I tried to find the layer responsible for the error so I enabled all layers step by step (actually a couple at a time to speed it up a bit). This did not bring back the error.

                After making all layers visible again I was perfectly able to save my file again.

                 

                Thanks for the help!

                • 5. Re: Could not build preview because of program error - CS6/Mac
                  dandiddotcom Community Member

                  same issue here, hiding all layers allowed me to save, then i located th 'fluty' layer which had a linked mask, unlinking it 'fixed' the issue, and it remains gone even if you link the mask again. definitely a bug.. thanks to you guys its saved me loads of re-work.