Expert: LizaL - 9/7/2005

Question
It is simple but perplexing.

When I attempt to launch Photoshop by clicking on a  
file icon (image.psd, image.jpeg, etc) the application is launched but the file is not opened.
I am working on a Mac, OS 10.3.9

Even when I do "control" open with PS the same problem occurs.

Any suggestions/solutions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
La Bone

Answer
Hi LaBone,

I just had a similar problem, and here's how I fixed it:

Go to your top-level Library (Hard drive>Library, not the Hard drive>user>Library) and see if you have a folder called ScriptingAdditions. If not, create one, and then reinstall Photoshop.

Photoshop needs a scripting addition called Adobe Unit Types. If it isn't there, you won't be able to double-click a file to open it, or, as in my case, drag a file's icon to the Photoshop Dock icon and have it open that way.

I also trashed my prefs prior to reinstalling Photoshop (Hard drive>user>Preferences>com.adobe.Photoshop.plist) and I also trashed the Photoshop CS settings folder found in the same place.

Once you reinstall Photoshop, you should see that the ScriptingAdditions folder has a file in it called Adobe Unit Types. That's what controls your ability to open files by dragging to the dock, and by double-clicking.

My problem was a little different from yours, but I did some reasearch, and found that the fix I described above not only works for my problem, but it should work for yours too.

If it doesn't, please post back and I'll check some more.

Hope this helps!

Lisa

P.S. Actually, the most efficient way to open a file in any application is to first open the application, then go to the File pulldown menu and select Open and navigate to your file. This might not seem as convenient as double-clicking on a file's icon, or dragging a file's icon to the Dock, but it's less processing for the computer, and actually more efficient.

If I know I'm going to be working a lot in Photoshop, or even working back and forth in Photoshop and other apps, I'll open Photoshop and leave it open -- then open files using the Open command, under the File menu.