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typebynikita
Participant
July 31, 2025
Question

Adobe Illustrator ghosting bug/issue

  • July 31, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 171 views

I am having some very weird issues in Illustrator, going back as far version 27. 

 

At absolutely random times when I am working on a vector file (could be simple flat art like a logo or a more complex file with multiple layers and content), when I press CMD Y to go into Outline Mode, and then go back to Preview Mode, it works absolutely fine (screenshot 1). 

 

Then, while still in the same file, I could work for a while, then go back into Outline Mode again, then back into Preview Mode at which point the issues appear and persist (screenshot 2). When this happens, the resizing/dragging/clicking (basically almost any function) slows down, becomes very jerky, I lose some resize handles on thebounding box (as well as other weird artefacts and issues) and I have to save the file, close it, then restart Illustrator, and then the same file works just fine.   

 

Screenshot 2 is what the issues look like when I go Preview to Outline then back to Preview.

Screenshot 3 is what the issues look like when I go Preview to Outline then back to Preview and then back to Outline once more.

 

I can't figure this out, and it happens enough where it is very annoying for the workflow. Nothing except saving/closing file and restarting Illustrator resolves the issue. Any suggestions?? 

 

Note - the logo in the screenshots is mine, and I have full authority to use that (obviously). Just a disclaimer note in case any admins/mods think I am sharing someone else's logo/work. 

 

Some technical specs:

Machine

  •  iMac, Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020
  • Processor: 3.8 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i7
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT 16 GB
  • Memory: 72 GB 2667 MHz DDR4
  • macOS: 13.7.6 (22H625)

Adobe Illustrator 

  • Current: 28.xx

 

1 reply

Anubhav M
Community Manager
Anubhav MCommunity Manager
Community Manager
July 31, 2025

Hello @nikitap53515940,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Could you try pressing the Cmd+E keys to check if this probem persists? Also, check for any pending OS/Illustrator updates, install them, and share your observations.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

T
typebynikitaAuthor
Participant
August 1, 2025

@Anubhav M thanks for replying. To respond in order:
- I have my Illustrator set to "View using GPU" as default. Therefore by doing CMD E (switching to View using CPU) maked the the problem appear. BUT, as I stated, it doesn't appear in the same file or in the same session of using Illustrator. It's random, and happens when my View Using GPU setting is on, which is all the time.
- I have gone up to the latest AI version back in June (to 29.xx) hoping that would fix the problem, and it still kept appearing. So went back down to 28.xx (as mentioned earlier) and it still randomly happens.
- Currently, I am running Ventura 13.7.6. BUT...again, the problem has appeared on and off during different permutations of OS + Adobe Illustrator versions. So the MacOS I currently have doesn't fix or worsen this issue. 

Any suggestions on fixing this?  

Anubhav M
Community Manager
Anubhav MCommunity Manager
Community Manager
August 4, 2025

Hello @nikitap53515940,

Thanks for sharing the details. Could you run Illustrator (the latest version) under a different administrator account (macOS) and check if the problem persists?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

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