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Laura5EB3
Participant
September 6, 2022
Answered

Unable to edit effects in Illustrator

  • September 6, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 1826 views

Hey all, I was wondering if anyone else has had this issue before and knows how to fix it?

I'm currently working in Adobe Illustrator 2021 (version 25.4.8), and I can't seem to edit any effects I add to objects?
The effects will show up in the appearance panel, but I am unable to click on it and edit it. 

I've attached an image showing an example of what I mean. I've been trying to apple a grain effect to this shape layer. It lists the effect in the appearance panel, but again I can't edit it. Is there a setting I have turned on/off, or maybe I've applied the effect incorrectly?

Thanks in advance!

    Correct answer Anubhav M

    Hello Laura5EB3,

     

    Sorry to hear about this experience. I would request you try resetting Illustrator's preferences manually and see if that helps resolve the issue:


    For macOS
    • Close all Adobe applications.
    • Go to the following locations
    • ~/Library/Caches
    • ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe
    • ~/Library/Preferences
    • Rename Adobe Illustrator, com.adobe.illustrator and Adobe Illustrator 25 Settings folders to Adobe Illustrator.old, com.adobe.illustrator.old and Adobe Illustrator 25 Settings.old
    • Launch Illustrator from the Creative Cloud.
     

    Note: Location starting with this "~" sign indicates the User Library, which is hidden. So, you need to copy & paste the exact path in spotlight search or from Finder Menu > Go > Go to Folder > Paste the location in the dialog box like this:


    For Windows
    - Close all Adobe applications.
    - Go to Location C:\Users\%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Adobe
    - Rename Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Illustrator 25 Settings folders to Adobe Illustrator.old and Adobe Illustrator - 25 Settings.old
    - Relaunch Illustrator
     

    Disclaimer: Please note that renaming preferences folders will remove all the custom settings, and Illustrator will launch with default settings. You can also take a backup of the folders in case you want to. The location is mentioned above.
     

     

    Looking forward to your response.

     

    Thanks,

    Anubhav

    3 replies

    S
    SJRiegel
    Legend
    September 6, 2022

    You attached image is not showing the the forum. Go to the forum in your browser, and add the image with the Insert Photo icon. 

     

    --- edit: you added the image while I was making this post.

      Ton Frederiks
      Community Expert
      Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 6, 2022

      Can you edit them when you create the effect? Do you have multiple monitors?

      L
      Laura5EB3Author
      Participant
      September 6, 2022

      No not able to edit the when I create the effect.
      I have two monitors, but I'm not seeing an effects panel pop up on either one. I've tried resetting the workspace layout and changing to a different layout, still nothing. 

      L
      Laura5EB3Author
      Participant
      September 6, 2022


      And I forgot to attach the image haha. Anyways, here is the screenshot showing the grain effect is applied, but I cannot see it on the shape nor can I click on "Grain" and edit it.

      A
      Community Manager
      Anubhav MCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
      Community Manager
      September 6, 2022

      Hello Laura5EB3,

       

      Sorry to hear about this experience. I would request you try resetting Illustrator's preferences manually and see if that helps resolve the issue:


      For macOS
      • Close all Adobe applications.
      • Go to the following locations
      • ~/Library/Caches
      • ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe
      • ~/Library/Preferences
      • Rename Adobe Illustrator, com.adobe.illustrator and Adobe Illustrator 25 Settings folders to Adobe Illustrator.old, com.adobe.illustrator.old and Adobe Illustrator 25 Settings.old
      • Launch Illustrator from the Creative Cloud.
       

      Note: Location starting with this "~" sign indicates the User Library, which is hidden. So, you need to copy & paste the exact path in spotlight search or from Finder Menu > Go > Go to Folder > Paste the location in the dialog box like this:


      For Windows
      - Close all Adobe applications.
      - Go to Location C:\Users\%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Adobe
      - Rename Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Illustrator 25 Settings folders to Adobe Illustrator.old and Adobe Illustrator - 25 Settings.old
      - Relaunch Illustrator
       

      Disclaimer: Please note that renaming preferences folders will remove all the custom settings, and Illustrator will launch with default settings. You can also take a backup of the folders in case you want to. The location is mentioned above.
       

       

      Looking forward to your response.

       

      Thanks,

      Anubhav

      L
      Laura5EB3Author
      Participant
      September 6, 2022

      Hi Anubhav,
      Thanks for this!
      Resetting the preferences seems to have solved the issue. 

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