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xenatorres
xenatorres
Known Participant
March 9, 2012
Answered

Can't move anchor point?

  • March 9, 2012
  • 4 replies
  • 48617 views

I'm using CS4.

When I try to select an anchor point, any actions I take immediately highlight the position and move the position - not the anchor point. I am using the selection tool - doesn't matter if I select via the layers or via the display - same thing happens.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

      This topic has been closed for replies.
      Correct answer caroline_edits

      Sorry for the confusion! I think the easiest way to move your anchor point is using the Pan Behind Tool in the toolbar. We made a visual walkthrough of the process here:

       

       

      Hope this helps!

      Caroline

      4 replies

      H
      Heather27603797374u
      Participant
      December 16, 2022

      @caroline_edits I'm having the same problem of not being able to move the anchor point on an imported .ai file layer (a butterfly wing). I've made sure that the Collapse Transformations box is unchecked for the wing layer. I've also clicked on the Pan Behind tool at the top of the interface. The anchor point won't move. When I used the Layer menu at the top and chose Transform > Anchor Point, the entire layer file (image) would move with the change in x and y value. ....... I just figured out that After Effects won't work correctly with my Logitech M510 mouse on a Lenovo P72 laptop. I had to use my touch pad to get the anchor point to move with the Pan Behind tool. Why, I do not know. 

        N
        Natali2760628062bh
        Participant
        June 4, 2023

        same problem! have you found the resolution?

        A
        Anna37776913hhca
        Participant
        June 1, 2024

        Exactly this happened to me today. From what i discovered, if you enable Collapse Transformations box even only once, it will stop working on every compositions, that are active in your project. I just reopened Ae, imported my files and its working again now. So make sure you are not checking the box before you move your anchor points as you want them to be. Hope this helps!

        caroline_edits
        Community Manager
        caroline_editsCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
        Community Manager
        December 3, 2020

        Sorry for the confusion! I think the easiest way to move your anchor point is using the Pan Behind Tool in the toolbar. We made a visual walkthrough of the process here:

         

         

        Hope this helps!

        Caroline

        W
        Whitney5FBD
        Participant
        April 10, 2021

        Is there a way to select the anchor point (it's visible, just can't be selected without moving the entire object) in Photoshop too? It normally works but for some reason I just can't indepentently select the anchor this time.

        M
        max vargas
        Participant
        June 3, 2018

        This is the answer: uncheck collapse transformation in the layer you want to move the anchor point.

          yooloo
          yooloo
          Participant
          September 1, 2020

          This solved my problem, thank you!

           

          *Pan behind tool not working. Keeps selecting other layers. Not moving anchor point.* (for people searching the answer)

          Mylenium
          Mylenium
          Legend
          March 9, 2012

          You use the pan behind tool to move anchor points.

          Mylenium

          xenatorres
          xenatorresAuthor
          Known Participant
          March 9, 2012

          I selected that tool, and then the anchor point and it didn't move at all. Nothing that I could see moved.

          R
          Community Expert
          Rick GerardCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          March 9, 2012

          If you use the Pan Behind Tool (keyboard shortcut is the y key) and grab the anchor point, the anchor point moves relative to the layer but the layer's apparent position in the composition doesn't move. If you check the position values in the timeline you'll see that they change as you drag the anchor point around the layer.

          If you grab the anchor point values in the timeline the relative position of the layer appears to move in the composition window but the position values don't change because the position of the anchor point isn't moving in relation to the composition.

          The position value of a layer is always the position of the anchor point relative to the composition. The anchor point value is the position of the anchor point relative to the layer. Rotation and scale both center around the anchor point.

          I hope this helps.

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