Could not Complete Your Request Because the Smart Object is not Directly Editable

When trying to cut or delete a selected area from an image in Photoshop, many users encounter the error Could not complete your request because the smart object is not a directly editable.

According to reports, Photoshop CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6, and all CC versions all experience this specific error.

What is the Root Cause of the Error “Smart Object not Directly Editable”?

We looked at various user reports as part of our investigation into this specific problem. Additionally, we were able to reproduce the issue on one of our test computers. We discovered that there are a few circumstances that could result in the appearance of this error message:

• The selected image layer is locked or partially locked – This problem most frequently happens when the selected image layer is locked or locked partially. For instructions on how to unlock the chosen image layer, refer to Method 1.
• The involved layer contains vector data – Attempting to delete a selection with vector data may also cause this problem. In this case, rasterizing the layer should solve the problem.

This article will give you a few repair techniques if you’re having trouble fixing this specific problem. You will find a few workarounds for the “Could not complete your request because the smart object is not directly editable” error prompt that many users who have experienced the same problem have used below.

Method 1: Unlocking the Picture Layer

According to a few users, the issue could have been resolved by opening the problematic image in Photoshop and unlocking the image layer.

This will prevent the error message “Could not complete your request because the smart object is not directly editable” from appearing when you delete, crop, or otherwise alter the image selection.

1. Launch Photoshop and open the image with the error message.
2. To unlock the partially locked layer, click the Lock icon on the Layers tab before making the selection using the right-side menu.
3. Select the area you want to cut, copy, and delete while the layer is unlocked, and then check to see if the error still occurs.

Go down to Method 2 if the error is still present.

Method 2: Resolving the Conflict in the Vectors

If you attempted to use raster-based tools over a shape layer, this error would also frequently result. The conflict with this king can be settled in one of two ways:

• All vector elements can be edited or removed using vector tools (pen tool, direct selection tool, etc.)
• To use raster-based tools, you must rasterize the layer.

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We will concentrate on rasterizing because it is significantly simpler and can be used in the majority of situations. A quick tutorial on how to rasterize the layer causing you problems is provided below:

1. Start by opening the Photoshop file where the problem is occurring.
2. Select Rasterize Layer from the context menu when you right-click on the layer that is displaying the error.
3. After the smart object has been rasterized, delete, cut, or carry out the action that initially caused the problem. You shouldn’t have any issues finishing it.