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Participant
June 3, 2025
Open for Voting

Shortcut to move a pattern inside a shape

  • June 3, 2025
  • 7 replies
  • 259 views

I'm using Illustrator version 29.5.1 on Windows 11. 

 

On my previous computer (Mac), I used to be able to rotate, scale or move a pattern inside a shape using ~ + drag (key left of 1 on QWERTY). After some research, if I understand correctly, that shortcut doesn't work and/or exist for the windows version of the software. It's a very useful and efficient shortcut that should work on both platforms and I would love for it to be added to the next update. 

 

Adobe, please consider this. I'm sure many other users have had the same issue without resolve and are left frustrated without any explanation as to why it isn't the same on both platforms. 

 

Thank you

7 replies

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 6, 2025

Chrome and Outlook are sufficient to wreck your experience with Illustrator.

Participant
June 6, 2025

Other than Chrome and Outlook, I don't have any of the other apps. 

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 3, 2025

These apps and settings have been identified to have issues with modifier keys (mostly the spacebar, but can be others)

 

  • WhatsApp on the web being the active tab in the browser
  • WebRoot
  • Apple Terminal
  • Word, Excel, Powerpoint
  • »Enable Full Keyboard« in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard on Mac OS
  • »Keyboard Navigation« in Apple settings > Keyboard
  • Apple Mail, Outlook
  • Spacebar is used as a shortcut by the system
  • Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari
  • Wacom Desktop Center, Wacom settings
  • Windows Touch Pad problem
  • LastPass, Bitwarden (password managers)
  • The VPN
  • LangSwitcher app (it needs to be closed and disabled)
  • Notes
Participant
June 3, 2025

I do but I had the same configuration on my work Macbook for 3 years and never had an issue. What doesn't make sense to me is that the tilde key is already a modifier key but there's no way to map it to be used like on mac and there isn't any alternative shortcut (that I've found). But if anyone does know how to solve this issue on windows, please let me know. I work in the fashion industry and I constantly have to rotate, scale and move patterns inside sketches so using the tool panels just isn't as efficient and easy as using a shortcut. 

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 3, 2025

So you have a Canadian keyboard?

Working with different languages for system, keyboard and Illustrator is a recipe for desaster. I'm German and these things have been getting on my nerves for years.

Participant
June 3, 2025

Well is there any work-around or am I doomed to use to panels to rotate, scale or move one pattern at a time? I tried switching my keyboard from Canadian (French) to Canadian (English) and US (English) like many have said but nothing works. Can you explain further on what apps or browsers could cause the issue? 

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 3, 2025

Modifier keys across platforms and languages are just a rather huge issue.

On top of that browsers and several apps can be interfering with them.