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johannat16502066
Participant
May 5, 2026

Regression: Direction-based brushes render incorrect angle on first stroke in Photoshop 2025/2026 (works in 2024)

  • May 5, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 159 views

Issue summary: Since Photoshop 2025 (exact version unknown, but after 25.12.4) direction-based brush strokes, when set in the brush settings (Shape Dynamics - Angle Jitter - Direction), are not working properly. The very first 'pixel' of nearly every stroke is angled about 90 degrees perpendicular, before correcting itself immediately as the stroke continues. This breaks a previously working workflow.

 

The problem is only mitigated by using external stabilisation (I’m using Lazy Nezumi Pro with light smoothing), which suggests the issue is related to how initial pen input samples are handled at stroke start. I also ideally need to have 1% smoothing enabled in Photoshop, or the bug can lightly reoccur occasionally.

 

Using older Photoshop versions avoids the issue, but this is not a viable long-term solution due to other compatibility and stability concerns. I have used these brushes for years with no issues until recently.


Product and version: 

25.12.4. (laptop) the bug does not occur in this version.
26.11.0 (laptop) the bug does occur in this version. Same system and setup, just different version.

26.11.5  (PC), the bug happens. 

27.6.0 (PC) the bug happens.

 

Operating system:
Windows 11, both desktop PC and laptop.

Cintiq 24 Pro and Surface Pro 8

 

Steps to reproduce:
I have attached an image below. Just using any brush that has Shape Dynamics - Angle Jitter - Direction enabled causes this issue. 

Expected result, right side. Actual result, left side. No other settings changed.

 

 

Things I have tried and any brushes with Direction settings are still not working on multiple devices, so this should rule out a hardware issue. 


Windows Ink on/off, and multiple Windows Ink related settings
PSUserConfig.txt
Restarting tablet services/PC
Up to date drivers (Wacom, GPU, etc.)

Photoshop GPU settings
Display scaling (multiple monitor setup, happens in both)

Using Photoshop in either monitor

Different files sizes, speed of brush strokes

 

      4 replies

      sbn85
      sbn85
      Known Participant
      June 11, 2026

      Was my post about initial brush direction bug deleted?

      Making new one.

      Initial Brush direction in photoshop broken, set smoothing to anything else then 0% and this how brush angle looks like:

      it gives random brush angle every few strokes,

      expectations:

      brush angle sohuld be consistent in every brush stroke.

      can you pelase fix that?

      Sameer K
      Community Manager
      Sameer KCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      June 11, 2026

      ​@sbn85 Merged: 

       

      sbn85
      sbn85
      Known Participant
      June 17, 2026

      ​@Sameer K any help on this? Is there any solution to fix? Really important feature that should work...

      sbn85
      sbn85
      Known Participant
      June 11, 2026

      setting brush angle as Initial Direction doesn’t work correctly, when you set smoothing parameter anything else then 0% (when smoothing is completly off doesn’t work either)

      Every few strokes you are getting random brush angle.

       

      ^ this how it works

       

      vs expectations:

       

      can you please fix that?

      or give us access to old versions of program?

      Sameer K
      Community Manager
      Sameer KCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      May 21, 2026

      Hey, ​@johannat16502066. Thanks for your patience. The team is investigating this.

      Here are a few things that we’ll need:

      Let me know how it goes. 

      Thanks!
      Sameer K

      J
      johannat16502066Author
      Participant
      May 22, 2026

      Hi Sameer, thanks for the reply! I’ve upgraded to Photoshop 27.7., it seems so far it happens a bit less, but still occasionally. I’ve tried the Modern user interface setting but the bug still happens. I’d say it’s maybe a bit more unpredictable though with this version. The strangest thing about this bug though is that at first I feel like everything I try fixes it initially, then it suddenly comes back.

       

      I’ve attached one of the brushes used in the example below. And attached an image on how many times it occurred using this exact brush in 27.7. Right after I updated yesterday it did not occur for some time. It almost feels as if the issue becomes more likely once Photoshop has been running for a while or after more pen input/strokes have accumulated.

      Sameer K
      Community Manager
      Sameer KCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      May 25, 2026

      Thanks for adding the details. For a test, please consider removing Lazy Nezumi temporarily to and record your screen when recreating the issue. 

      Thanks!
      Sameer K

        Sameer K
        Community Manager
        Sameer KCommunity Manager
        Community Manager
        May 21, 2026

        Hey, @johannat16502066. Thanks for the detailed post. While I've shared this with the team for review, please check whether the issue occurs when you use Photoshop v27.7 via the Creative Cloud desktop app.



        Thanks!
        Sameer K
        (Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

        J
        johannat16502066Author
        Participant
        May 22, 2026

        Hi ​@Sameer K , didn’t realise to @ mention you on the other reply but I have replied and uploaded a brush above. Thanks!

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