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GrangerMorton
Known Participant
September 14, 2021
Question

Unable to Zoom out with Alt key when text is selected in Illustrator 2019-2021 on macOS & Windows

  • September 14, 2021
  • 4 replies
  • 5147 views

Hi

I click on spyglass, spyglass turns to "+" I zoom in.

With 2019 (and end cs6 before that) I hold down 'alt' and it turns to "-", enabling me to immediately zoom out.

 

Wit 2020 the Alt thing doesn't work immediately, I have to pick another tool, then go back to spyglass, then do Alt. Sometimes I have to pick another tool twice.
I've got to the point where I have to solve this. It's now intolerable, why is it that these updates impede my workflow, why the hell don't they leave it alone?? I'm fine with 2019  (I'm fine with cs6) but now I have all these clients sending me buggy 2020 files so I have to use it.

Anyone got a solution??

 

Grahame (about to launch iMac out of the window)

 

 

{Renamed by MOD}

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    4 replies

    S
    Slappy000s
    Participant
    January 10, 2024

    Please add legacy settings like Adobe. Changing the functions in Adobe products for main quick keys is very obtuse at this point. Hiring UX guys to justify their jobs and "I'm making the product better" by using the mouse wheel should only be optional under preferences. The concept of hey, lets make users better  or learn this function as so many UX designers do, just so they can get excited about look at the major change I made does not apply for learning UX that has been in place since version one. Sure, use a mouse wheel, but add the alt function back. Another that's painful for example is to check legacy in Photoshop to get save as for more export options.  At least you added this, but should be the other way around.

    Anubhav M
    Community Manager
    Anubhav MCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    January 11, 2024

    Hello @Slappy000s,

    Thanks for reaching out. I understand that having the option to use legacy settings in Illustrator is important to you, and I apologize for its unavailability at this time. Would you mind creating a UserVoice for this request (https://adobe.ly/47tT0Bm) and adding your comments there? Doing this will help us prioritize this request, and you will be notified of any updates.

    Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need assistance. We'd be happy to help.

     

    Thanks,
    Anubhav

      MagnusKallas
      MagnusKallas
      Participating Frequently
      November 26, 2023

      I had a file open yesterday that turned ALT/Zoom into Hand tool 100% of the time.
      Then I Saved As the file as a new file because I needed a duplicate. And now Alt/Zoom works consistently, with no glitches. And I couldn't replicate the bug in any case: creating text, objects, moving around Artboards etc.
      So I have a theory it is a glitch in the Cache. And it has been there for ages.

      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 26, 2023
      @MagnusKallas  schrieb:

      Then I Saved As the file as a new file because I needed a duplicate. And now Alt/Zoom works consistently, 

       

      The file could contain corrupt objects.

      And when was the last time you rebooted the computer?

      MagnusKallas
      MagnusKallas
      Participating Frequently
      November 26, 2023

      It was booted some hours ago. Trust me. This glitch has been around for at least 5 years and to this day me and many other users, including users here, haven't found a solution. It is a bug on AI side.
      And if an object is corrupt or not, it should not interfere how Keyboard works. Plus, I Saved a straight up copy of the same file and the bug was fixed. So all data was carried over except - to my logic - a new Cache thread is created. Which makes me think it has something to do with Cache... OR possibly a corrupt Copy Clipboard.

      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 14, 2021

      There's probably something interfering with your keyboard input.

      Known for this are: browsers, antivirus, banking software, email, screensharing, adware and a couple of other apps might be affected as well.

      Reboot the computer, shut down all apps other than Illustrator and try again.

      G
      GrangerMortonAuthor
      Known Participant
      September 14, 2021

      Thanks Monika

      still works fine with 2019 and cs6 though. Alt also works fine in every other appplication.

       

      It will work if I pick a different tool and go back to spyglass, sometimes have to do twice.  Drives me nuts!

       

        G
        GrangerMortonAuthor
        Known Participant
        September 14, 2021

        by the way, "Alt" brings up the hand tool.... same as spacebar.  I can't seem to edit my original topic

         

        MagnusKallas
        MagnusKallas
        Participating Frequently
        November 25, 2023

        I can confirm it has been issue for ages. Different Windows computers, different Adobe versions.
        Came here with search - at this very moment ALT automatically turns into Hand Tool. I noticed the latest AI (2024) seems to do this more often than previous one.
        And indeed, it happens rather randomly.

        Monika Gause
        Community Expert
        Monika GauseCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        November 25, 2023

        Alt turns into the hand tool when the cursor is in a text. Is that the case?

         

        If not, you might want to look for the app that interferes witb your key presses.

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