“There was a problem with Generator” on a Mac

If Photoshop shows this message at launch, or when you enable Generator, start by separating the startup problem from the export task you need to finish.

The short answer

On the Apple-silicon configurations discussed in this Adobe Community report, Generator still relied on an Intel helper and Rosetta. Restoring Rosetta solved the original poster’s error. That is a reported workaround, not a diagnosis for every Mac.

If your goal is to export named layers without that dependency, Plicsy offers a separate, manual export workflow.

Considering Rosetta? Read the performance and RAM considerations before changing how Photoshop runs.

This guide is published by Plicsy, a paid Photoshop asset-export plugin. The troubleshooting options below are available without buying it.

First: is Generator failing, or is Image Assets missing?

This guide concerns Generator / Image Assets, the filename-driven export workflow. It does not cover Firefly or AI image generation.

If you cannot find the menu, check File → Automate → Generator Plugins → Image Assets. Adobe moved it there in Photoshop 25.11; an absent entry in the old location alone does not establish a failure. See Adobe’s Image Assets instructions.

Before changing anything, note your Photoshop version, macOS version, and Mac chip. Keep the exact error text. These details help distinguish a menu change, a startup failure, and an export that runs but produces unexpected files.

Why can native Photoshop still need Rosetta?

The September 2026 report describes Photoshop 27.10 running as ARM64 on an M4 Pro with macOS 27, while its bundled Generator Node executable was Intel-only. Adobe’s community team confirmed the Rosetta dependency at that time. The thread also includes reports from Photoshop 27.9.1 and an M1 Mac. Read the reported configurations and Adobe’s replies.

A native main application can still use a component built for another architecture. Apple explains that add-ons and other included components may need separate attention in its guide to Intel-based apps. Check the versions involved instead of assuming that every M-series Mac has the same problem.

Does Rosetta slow Photoshop down or use more RAM?

Keep Photoshop running natively when your workflow allows it.

Running the entire Photoshop application through Rosetta introduces translation overhead and can mean slower launches or slower operations. Apple explains that translated apps can launch or run more slowly. The impact depends on the operation and configuration; there is no verified universal “2× slower” figure for the Photoshop versions covered here.

Installing Rosetta for Generator does not automatically put Photoshop itself into Rosetta mode. In the reported setup, Photoshop was native ARM64 while Generator’s separate helper was Intel. A performance penalty measured with the whole application translated cannot be applied to that helper-only setup.

What about RAM? We have not established a consistent increase in Photoshop’s RAM usage for these configurations. Compare the same PSD, operations, and Photoshop settings on the same Mac before drawing a memory-use conclusion. This guide does not claim a measured RAM saving or a twofold speed improvement from switching to Plicsy.

Plicsy lets you export named assets with Photoshop running natively, without relying on Generator’s Rosetta-dependent helper.

Option 1: check Rosetta for the existing Generator workflow

If the reported dependency matches your situation, follow Apple’s Rosetta instructions for your macOS version. When a trusted Intel app prompts for Rosetta, Apple provides an installation flow. Its guide also documents this Terminal command:

softwareupdate --install-rosetta

Follow the onscreen instructions, then restart Photoshop and test Image Assets on a small document. Do not assume Rosetta is missing just because the dialog appeared; if it is already working, investigate the other causes below.

Installing Rosetta for an Intel component is different from forcing the entire Photoshop application to run under Rosetta. A Finder Open using Rosetta checkbox is only available for apps that provide it. Follow guidance appropriate to your installed version.

Option 2: disable Generator when you do not need it

In Photoshop, open Settings → Plugins (called Preferences in some versions), clear Enable Generator, and restart. Adobe documents this in its Generator troubleshooting guide.

This can remove the interruption, but it also stops the Generator workflow. Choose it when you do not need automatic Image Assets exports, or when you use a separate exporter.

Option 3: get back to exporting with Plicsy

Your next delivery needs finished assets. Plicsy helps you get them out of Photoshop. Export named layers, groups, and artboards on your Apple-silicon Mac without depending on Generator or Rosetta. Keep Photoshop running natively and turn your PSD into an organized set of files.

If you already name layers for export, the workflow will feel familiar: add a filename, choose your settings, and click Export All.

  • Export a whole campaign in one run. Generate named assets across your document instead of saving each one individually.
  • Keep every banner size organized. Automatic artboard folders keep backgrounds, headlines, and buttons together—even when their names repeat across artboards.
  • Preserve the placement you designed. Full-artboard exports retain the canvas around individual assets, ready for assembling your banners.
  • Work toward delivery limits. Set JPEG or WebP byte targets in asset names and let Plicsy try quality settings for you. Review the result and export report before delivery.

A simple setup looks like this:

300x250.png       ← artboard
  background.jpg
  headline.png
  cta.png         ← button group

Open Plugins → Plicsy, choose where your files should go, and click Export All. Plicsy supports PNG, JPEG, WebP, and GIF.

Before you start: Plicsy is a paid, manual exporter; click Export All when you want updated files. It does not continuously regenerate assets or support SVG. Activation and exports require internet access. Check the installation requirements and try a representative PSD, since existing Generator names or settings may need adjustments.

The step-by-step tutorial includes a free practice PSD and verified outputs. A Plicsy license is purchased separately.

Still getting the error?

Rosetta is only one possible cause. Adobe’s general guide also covers third-party Generator plugins and security software blocking local communication. It provides a log location:

~/Library/Logs/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [Version]/Generator

Use the folder matching your installation and follow Adobe’s troubleshooting steps for your symptoms. If you need support, include your versions, the error text, when it appears, and what you already tried.

For problems with Plicsy exports, use Plicsy support and the export report. For Generator startup errors, use Adobe’s support resources.