Target channel is hidden fix

Target channel is hidden fix. How to fix “Could not use move tool because the target channels is hidden”. Question: “In Photoshop CC, I am constantly getting the message “Could not use move tool because the target channel is hidden” whenever I try to do anything.  Every time, I check and see that the alpha channel is selected and hidden, so I select RGB instead.  Why does it keep automatically switching back to alpha?”

While using Adobe Photoshop you might get this popup warning “Could not use move tool because the target channel is hidden”. This article will show you how to deal with it.

Target channel is hidden fix
Target channel is hidden fix

Why are you getting “Could not use move tool because the target channel is hidden” popup warning?

In Adobe Photoshop, when you try to use any tool on an hidden layer, this message appears.

You can see as a screenshot below:

Could not use move tool because the target channel is hidden

I was in the top layer named “Layer 1” (it is highlighted in blue). I have hidden that layer by clicking the ‘eye’ icon on left side of the layer name. If I try to use any of the tools while still on that layer the above message appears.

For the brush to work, you have to ‘unhide’ the layer. This can be done by just clicking the empty box on left side of layer name.

After clicking it there appears an ‘eye’ icon. Now all the tools work on that layer.

Source: Vijaya-Lakshmi

If you get this error while trying to select object with Move Tool [V] it means that have entered “Edit in quick mask mode”.

If you are using keyboard shortcut it is that most likely you have accidentally hit [Q].

This error is usually caused by the Quick mask mode. Generally Quick Mask mode is used when working with selection tools such as the Polygon, Magnetic Lasso or Quick Selection tool. The quick mask mode changes the area of your selection to an opaque red like color. It helps to differentiate the area of the image you have and have not selected. In this article, we will discuss the method to solve or disable this popup.

How to disable the popup?

Simply quit “Edit in quick mask” mode. You can do that by doing one of the following:

  • Use keyboard shortcut, press [Q] again to switch to “Quick Mask Mode” or “Standard Mode”;
  • Click “Select” from main menu and then un-tick “Edit in quick mask mode”;
  • Select “Channels” panel and delete Alpha layer

You will see a red pallet on the right side of the circle icon

Video on Target channel is hidden fix

In this tutorial, we’re going to learn how to fix Photoshop message: Could not use move tool because the target channel is hidden – Solved! 

I had a problem I encountered a while ago when I’m doing a web design project in the Adobe Photoshop cs5 and a pop-up message said Could not use move tool because the target channel is hidden. If you encounter this message then you are guilty by pressing the Q when you clicked the Layer, this option is what you called Edit in Quick Mask Mode.

Solutions:

1. To resolve the probelm is simply by clicking any Layer then press Q or

2. Go to Select menu and click Edit in Quick Mask Mode to uncheck.

Hope it will be useful for you and solves your problem “Could not use move tool because the target channel is hidden”.

 

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