Can I turn a channel or spare channel into editable gray layer somehow ?

[kirk23]

I sometimes see grayed out  option in right click menu and couldn't figure out how can I do it?

[Ldina]

Yes, you can. 

Use the Channels Panel. You need to target a "Pixel" layer (not an "Image" Layer). So, highlight a Pixel Layer in the Layers Panel, then move to the Channels Panel. Right click on one of the RGB channels (not the composite layers in the top group, but the currently selected layer which is in that second group, 'below the line'). Click on "Create Grayscale Layer" and a grayscale pixel layer of the red, green or blue channel will be added to the top of your layers stack in the Layers Panel. 

An Image Layer is a linked file and is considered immutable, which is why it's grayed out when an Image Layer is targeted in the Layers Panel. I hope that convoluted explanation was clear! Haha.

[MEB]

Hi @kirk23,
Go to the Channels panel, right-click the Spare Channel, select Load to Pixel Selection, then return to the Layers panel and click the mask button to create an editable mask from the selection. If need a greyscale pixel layer from this mask for some reason, with it selected, go to the Channels panel, right-click the 2Mask Alpha" channel and select Create Greyscale Layer.

[kirk23]

Thanks guys