Appearance Panel bug

[Kuttyjoe]

This problem is happening with the current version of Illustrator, version 29.01, but it started happening in the previous 2 or 3 versions.  When I first launch Illustrator, then use the stroke color option in the appearance panel, the box appears at the extreme opposite side of the UI.  It doesn't happen if I use the fill color option, and it only happens once.  The first time I try to use it after a fresh restart.  But it happens 100% of the time after a fresh restart.  When it happens, I have to wait a second, then click the stroke color option again, then maybe once or twice more to "fix" it.

I'm using a Windows PC running Windows 10.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Kuttyjoe,

That does seem strange. I tried replicating this behavior on my end but could not. Would you mind sharing a screen recording of your exact workflow and the problem, so I can check this with the team?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[Kuttyjoe]

There's not much to record.  I launch Illustrator.  I create a blank document.  I open the appearance panel and click the color box for the stroke and it happens.  That's all.  If I close Illustrator then immediately relaunch, it will do it again.  Once I get past it, it doesn't happen again until I close/reopen Illustrator.

[Kurt Gold]

I can confirm the misbehaviour in Illustrator 29.0.1 on a Windows 10 machine.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Kuttyjoe,

Would you mind trying to reset Illustrator's preferences as described in this article (https://adobe.ly/48VbJIa) and checking if it helps?

Disclaimer: Please note that renaming preferences folders will remove all the custom settings, and Illustrator will launch with default settings. You can also save a backup of the folders, the location of which is mentioned above.


Also, try the following steps to check if they help:

- Close all Adobe applications.

- Rename the UXP folder to UXP.old from the following location:

(Windows) Navigate to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\UXP

(macOS) Navigate to Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Adobe/UXP

- Relaunch Illustrator

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[Kuttyjoe]

Unfortunately neither of those solutions resolved the problem. 

Thanks for responding.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Kuttyjoe,

Sorry to hear the suggestions did not help. Would you mind trying to run Illustrator under a different administrator account (Windows / macOS) and checking if it helps?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[Kuttyjoe]

This problem is still happening.

[Jimmy Flame]

Have you tried redocking it back into the right column? Or maybe click the Window dropdown, uncheck the color, color guide, and/or stroke (unsure which could be triggering this) option? Then check them back on. Try that and let me know. 

[Kuttyjoe]

You mean redocking the Appearance panel to the column on the right?  That doesn't fix it.  I also tried floating the panel in the middle of the screen, and also I tried switching to Illustrator's Essential Classic default Workspace.  Older version of Illustrator prior to November last year doesn't have this problem.  Closing the color, color guide, stroke doesn't fix it either.

[Ton Frederiks]

I can see this as well. Mac AI 29.6 (but noticed it before).

[dunazee]

Happens on a Mac too, Ai 29.7.1, MacOS 15.6.1. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

I'm not seeing this problem on my system.

AI 29.5.1

Windows 11, 24H2, 26100.4351

Are the persons seeing the problem all on Windows 10?

[Ton Frederiks]

The OP uses Win, I see it on Mac.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

I saw it quickly on my Mac but the second time I selected the swatch, it worked properly as the OP mentioned.

[Ton Frederiks]

Here is a recording, the swatches open in the Control Panel instead of the Appearance Panel.

[Kuttyjoe]

That is precisely how it happens.  It only happens after first launching Illustrator.  After that it's OK until you close Illustrator and reopen.  If I go back to an earlier version of Illustrator the problem is not there.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Kuttyjoe,

I have sent you a DM. Kindly check.

Anubhav

[Kuttyjoe]

This situation has actually become even buggier with version 29.7.1. The first bug is still there but now there's a new bug.  Start Illustrator up fresh.  Create a new document.  Draw a shape.  Open the Appearance panel.  Drag the stroke below the fill in the Appearance panel.  Click once on the fill.  Then click again and suddenly the stroke jumps back above the fill in the panel.  Drag it below the fill again. Now click on the stroke once, then once again, and it opens in the far left corner as before, but ALSO jumps back above the file again in the appearance panel. Not only is it not getting resolved, it's getting worse.  At this point, I have a list of long running bugs that are not getting fixed.

[Ton Frederiks]

I can repeat your first problem, but the order in the Appearance panel stays as set.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi everyone,

Thanks a lot for sharing the detailed observations. I'm checking this with the product team and will get back to you here once I hear from them.

Best,
Abhishek

[Kuttyjoe]

Here is a short video of this new behavior where the stroke is jumping back above the fill in the Appearance Panel repeatedly as well as the stroke color box opening in the far upper left corner of the screen.

[Kurt Gold]

Yes, I can reproduce the misbehaviour as shown in your latest video, Kuttyjoe.

[Kuttyjoe]

Thanks for confirming it.  I would add that I'm experiencing it with both Windows 10 and Windows 11.