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guy.cruls
Inspiring
December 10, 2017
Answered

contextual menu not visible

  • December 10, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 8173 views

When applying, say a stroke, a second, contextual menu should appear at the top, under the permanent menu bar.

It doesn't appear in my copy of Ai any more, and one thing I can't access, right now, is the variable width tool, which is part of the stroke menu.

How do I get the contextual menus back?

Many thanks

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Ton Frederiks

In CC 2018 choose Window > Control

Or Window > Workspace > Essentials Classic

3 replies

jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 10, 2017

guy.cruls  wrote

one thing I can't access, right now, is the variable width tool, which is part of the stroke menu.

I think Shift + W is the shortcut for the Variable Width tool. I'm on my iPad, so let me know if I need to look it up.

guy.cruls
guy.crulsAuthor
Inspiring
December 10, 2017

many thanks.

I was referring to the control bar, which offers a dropdown menu of default

shapes, as well as any shapes one may have created. it seems it is a recent

feature from adobe whether or not one sees the control bar - in this same

forum I have just been told I need to be in the 'essentials classic' view

to see the control bar...which I think is profoundly perverse. adobe trying

too hard.

pixxxelschubser
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 10, 2017

Hi guy.cruls,

sorry if I understand you wrong.

But you can set the control bar to visible in all workspaces (including your own created workspaces).

See screenshots (German UI):

control bar disabled in Menu --> Window --> Control

controlbar is enabled now by checking the same menu

Have fun

Raghuveer_Singh
Community Manager
Community Manager
December 10, 2017

Hi Cruls,

If you are looking for the "Control Bar" at the top then TON has answered that correctly and if still it is a different issue then please do let me know?

Thanks,

Raghuveer

Illustrator Team

guy.cruls
guy.crulsAuthor
Inspiring
December 10, 2017

got it. many thanks.

frankly, I find it a bit of a sick joke from Adobeto make this essential

'control bar' optional.

it's hard enough as it is to memorise a zillion keyboard shortcut and

methods, only for adobe to play cat and mouse with essentials.

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Ton FrederiksCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
December 10, 2017

In CC 2018 choose Window > Control

Or Window > Workspace > Essentials Classic