Skip to main content
O
oFF-line
Participating Frequently
November 28, 2016

P: Decoupling the presetted "usual" brush size from OS operating aids (macOS) [2016]

  • November 28, 2016
  • 33 replies
  • 19799 views

1. Photoshop 23.3.1 (and older!)

2. Mac OS 12.3.1 (and older!)

 

3. The Setting for brush size is put to "usual",

  • means the diameter of that temporary circle should be exactly the same as the brushstroke, independent of the selected hardness
  • Due to a large monitor, a slightly enlarged view of the mouse pointer can be helpful to some users.
    Thanks to the Mac OS operating aids, you can customise this individually.

 

4. Now the size of the brushstroke and the diameter of that surrounded circle in Photoshop doesn't match any more.

  • While the operating aids of Mac OS display a larger image of the mouse pointer in a fixed solution, the brushstroke in Photoshop is variable and proportional to the zoom factor of the picture.
  • Unfortunatelly the OS operation aid zoom for the mouse pointer influences the diameter of that circle, too.
  • In this case it ist not possible to adjust the position of the brushstroke exactly, that's a pitty.

 

5. The best would be, if you can set the Ps brushsize decoupled from the OS operating aids. (Maybe a checkbox at that section, which allows you to de-/activate a professional view)

 

Thanks for listening. Best Frank

    33 replies

    E
    Erik5ECA
    Inspiring
    October 29, 2025

    Both of the above replies are correct. As I said months ago, this should absolutely be considered a bug that needs to be fixed. A Photoshop tool should not become impossible to use when you need a bigger mouse pointer.

      A
      Aspire to Inspire
      Participating Frequently
      October 29, 2025

      AMEN

      Just beause something works does NOT mean that it is how it should be. If inexpensive alternatives can find solutions to this, then why can't one of the premier and most expensive pieces (never ending $65+/month) of software at leaast try to understand and find a solution? 

        raspberryh
        raspberryh
        Participant
        October 29, 2025

        This isn't really a solution though. I should be able to have my mouse pointer bigger for accessibility, but the Photoshop brush cursor should still match the actual brush size.

          C
          cec_hdz
          Participant
          October 28, 2025

          Incorrect Brush size: On macOS, the painted result is smaller than the brush cursor size you see on screen, determine if you have an increased Cursor Size specified in your System Preferences: Accessibility > Display settings. 

           

          Make sure it's set to "Normal". 

           

           

          ^ This solution fixed it! Although my cursor is super tiny now since im on a "more space" display setting on my macbook. Wish there was a way to make it where it doesnt affect when using photoshop.

          C
          cec_hdz
          Participant
          October 28, 2025

          I'm on the latest version of photoshop. And ive tried to hard reset the photoshop settings, and many other solutions that ChatGPT suggested. no luck

          Jeff Arola
          Community Expert
          Jeff ArolaCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          October 28, 2025

           

          cec_hdz,

           

          What version of Photoshop operating system are you using?

          C
          cec_hdz
          Participant
          October 28, 2025

          The brush size displayed on my screen is not accurate to the area that the brush paints. This applies to the eraser tool, pen tool, etc. I've tried many things to fix it but have not found a solution.

           

          It makes it super hard to use the brush to select items in images. 

          S
          Sylwia28663671y2pt
          Participant
          May 3, 2025

          This was so helpful.  Thank you.

          E
          Erik5ECA
          Inspiring
          February 27, 2025

          I hope I am doing this right. I created a thread before that ended up in "Discussions," not "Bugs." The brush sizes in Photoshop seem to be tied to Accessibility Pointer sizes in MacOS. If a person wants or needs a bigger pointer in the OS, it has a significant adverse effect on how the brush size displays.

           

          Here is my thread and another thread about this, both in Discussions. My thread includes screenshots and another person's "solution," which sort of fixed the problem, but makes clear that there is an accessibility issue here.

           

          Someone in my thread told me to "add it to the feature request." I consider this a bug that needs fixing, not a feature I would like added.

            M
            mollyb89355567
            Participant
            December 2, 2024

            You should be able to shake the mouse, and the pointer will enlarge itself temporarily

            Show more replies
            Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
            Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices