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charlielavoy1
Known Participant
September 17, 2013
Answered

Can't move objects with Selection Tool

  • 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?

    28 replies

    Show previous replies
    ChurchBoyGamer
    ChurchBoyGamer
    Participant
    August 29, 2017

    I just log out the program, restarted the computer and the problem was gone. Sometime the computer get stock on something, so it's better to restart the computer before making any changes.

    G
    georgialouised
    Participant
    August 16, 2017

    The toggle for Bounding boxes is Cmd + Shift + B. See if it works. It worked for me when I couldn't move the objects.

      L
      LPiel
      Participant
      April 6, 2018

      Thank you! Cmd + Shift + B worked! Saved my sanity!

        C
        coler94608868
        Participant
        June 22, 2017

        For anyone still having problems,  I was also experiencing the same issue when I noticed that my computer in general wasn't letting me move anything with the mouse pointer. Restarting solved the issue.

          M
          Michelle McKendry
          Participating Frequently
          May 22, 2018

          This is my problem as well. It's not just in Illustrator itself. I'm going to restart and "clean up" my Mac....I'll keep you posted to see if this works.

          M
          Michelle McKendry
          Participating Frequently
          May 22, 2018

          YEP!

          Did a HUGE clean up (I use Clean My Mac), restarted, everything is good to go!!

          A
          andresaon
          Participant
          April 14, 2017

          Any solutions? Move tool seems to do all the other things (ie scale and direct selection tool can drag points etc) but not MOVE. Some shapes can be dragged by the center point but strokes and many other shapes are only movable with arrowkeys. Photoshop can drag, but does not show objects moving along with mouse cursor as it did before.

            Monika Gause
            Community Expert
            Monika GauseCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            April 14, 2017

            andresaon  schrieb

            Any solutions?

            Well, yes. This thread is solved and its answer is marked clearly.

            If the answer does not solve your problem, then obviously you have a completely different problem. Please create a new thread, post your system and version and describe your problem exactly. Thank you.

            M
            macoadobe
            Participant
            April 23, 2018

            Wow, how rude. I don't think you are understanding what we are experiencing because it is EXACTLY the problem described. Please be nice.

              M
              melaniem31488500
              Participant
              April 10, 2017

              it does not work for me either....

              M
              Murat_Karaevli
              Participant
              January 3, 2015

              You can solve that problem like below easy and fast,
              1-Open your Illustrator file
              2-Save as "svg, eps.." any file would you.

              3-Close svg file and open again with Illustrator.
              4-Save as again Illustrator file.

              This operations will be clear file options, locks, old color settings etc..

                cmcompto
                cmcompto
                Participant
                February 10, 2017

                This worked, thanks.

                  B
                  Brand-New_Nikki
                  Participant
                  March 14, 2017

                  Escape doesnt work for me

                    Larry G. Schneider
                    Community Expert
                    Larry G. SchneiderCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
                    Community Expert
                    September 17, 2013

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

                      C
                      charlielavoy1Author
                      Known Participant
                      September 17, 2013

                      Well, I have actually closed out and restarted the computer.  At first I thought it was some new changes in the controls because of CC.

                        Jacob Bugge
                        Community Expert
                        Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
                        Community Expert
                        September 17, 2013

                        Charlie,

                        The following is a general list of things to try in case of serious strangenesses.

                        You may try the following (you may have tried/done some of them already) and see whether it helps (the following is a general list of things you may try when the issue is not in a specific file; 3) and 4) are specifically aimed at possibly corrupt preferences):

                        1) Close down Illy and open again;

                        2) Restart the computer (you may do that up to 3 times);

                        3) Close down Illy and press Ctrl+Alt+Shift/Cmd+Option+Shift during startup (easy but irreversible);

                        4) Move the folder with Illy closed (more tedious but also more thorough and reversible);

                        See posts #3 to 7 in this thread about locating the folder in CC,

                        http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1297845?tstart=0

                        5) Look through and try out the relevant among the Other options (Item 7) is a list of usual suspects among other applications that may disturb and confuse Illy);

                        Even more seriously, you may:

                        6) Uninstall, run the Cleaner Tool, and reinstall.

                        http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html

                          C
                          charlielavoy1Author
                          Known Participant
                          September 17, 2013

                          What does ctrl+alt+shift during startup do?

                            Jacob Bugge
                            Community Expert
                            Jacob BuggeCommunity Expert
                            Community Expert
                            September 17, 2013

                            Charlie,

                            It resets the basic preferences. If you like your custom settings, moving the folder (which can be moved back again to avoid an unnecessary sacrifice) will be preferable.

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