Can't move objects with Selection Tool

Forum|Forum|12 years ago
September 17, 2013
28 replies
490696 views

So, I just installed Illustrator CC, which I now have on a trial license. About an hour ago, illustrator suddenly started refusing to move any objects while I'm in the Selection Tool. I can move the objects only in Free Transform. I use hot keys a lot, so it's really slowing me down. I hit "V" to click on and then move an object, and then it won't move. I get the error sound, but no dialogue box pops up to explain what the error is.

Since I'm getting ready to bite the bullet and start paying a hefty monthly fee for this program when my trial runs out, this is pretty aggravating. Anyone have any ideas what might have cause this?

Correct answer Larry G. Schneider

Sounds like there might be a hidden modal dialog open. Does hitting the Escape button do anything to free up the objects?

Show previous replies

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hristop79094692

Participant

Go Edit> Preferences > Selection & Anchor Display and uncheck Object Selection by Path Only

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Scottdubbleu

Participant

I selected the object that I couldn't move go to Object > Expand Appearance.

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Hannah_pantalla

Participant

This worked for me!!!! suddenly I wasnt able to move any shape. I closed the finder, and some folders and programs that were open and that did the trick.
Something was interfering with illustrator.

Dave_Murdoch

Participating Frequently

Hi all

I had the same issue. My problem was, that I couldn't even select anything without the error "Can't move objects...". After trying all the above, I tried selecting the object anyway (although I couldn't see the blue vectors when usually something is selected) and copied it into InDesign. I then saw, that the copied object was much bigger—there was an A4-sized bounding box around the object. I couldn't see this in Illustrator, because I was zoomed into the object. I then proceeded to delete the transparent box and then I could select the object no prob.

I guess this happens, when someone saves a PDF (in my case an A4-sized document) as an EPS with only one object in it. The resulting EPS artboard is sized down to the object visible. But the original bounding box of the A4 page is saved as a transparent box too, outside the visible artboard.

Maybe this helps some of you... good luck.

Cheers

Dave

uchidak80389211

Participant

If all else fails, copy everything and paste on to a new document.

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MikeGozzy

Participant

It should be noted, if you are using multiple adobe products, if there is a dialog box open in ANY of the programs, it can cause issues with movement and control across all of them (case in point, a dialog box in media encoder was preventing me from moving objects using the selection tool in Illustrator). Once the box is closed/issue resolved, all functionality should return.