Direct Selection drag to select points

[Doug Katz]

This is a little embarrassing, but here goes.

I've just upgraded to a 2024 iMac, OS Sequoia 15.7.2, and Illustrator 30.0 (2026). After a century of selecting individual points on an open or closed object with the Direct Selection tool —or selecting a subset of points—this current 30.0 Direct Selection tool is selecting nothing(?!). I can use the Lasso tool to select subsets of one or more. but not the Direct Selection tool 

Can someone set me straight?

[Kurt Gold]

In other words: You draw a circle, take the Direct Selection tool, click on the topmost anchorpoint (or marquee select it) and it does not get (direct) selected?

[jane-e]

@Doug Katz 

The only possible reason I can think of is that maybe all of the anchor points are already selected. Are the anchor points solid (selected) or hollow (deselected)?

This may not be your issue, but try this with the Direct Selection tool:

• first click away to deselect
• start outside the shape and drag across some of the anchor points

If this isn't it, can you post a short video that shows the issue?

Jane

[Doug Katz]

Kurt: your examples describes the odd (and compromising) problem precisely.

Jane: I assure you all the anchor points are not selected. I drag an open- or closed-path object, deselect it, then drag to one anchor point (no luck), then a subset of anchor points (no luck), then the entire object (no luck). This will be kind of debilitating as I use Direction Select-dragging in an infinite variety of time-saving anchor selection techniques. Woe is me.

[jane-e]

@Doug Katz 

Is your Bounding Box turned on or off? (View menu)

If that's not it, think about resetting preferences.
Preferences > select General > Reset Preferences > OK.

Details and other methods here: 

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/desktop/get-started/preferences-and-settings/set-app-preferences...

Jane

[Doug Katz · Accepted solution]

Before an all-out Preferences reset, I searched through the Settings>Selection and Anchor Display panel and came upon "Select Objects only within Marquee" (which was on by default). I deselected it  and—POOF—my Direct Selection tool has started drag-selecting  just like it has for a century or so. I confess I don't exactly "get" the word choice for this setting, but I'm not complaining.

[jane-e]

Thanks for figuring it out and letting us know @Doug Katz ! We will know when the question comes up again. I've marked your reply "correct".

[Kurt Gold]

This is actually a very useful setting, but it refers to objects (not anchor points). If it is turned on, objects will only be selected if they are completely enclosed by the selection marquee.

When this option is turned off you can do the same by clicking and holding the Selection tool / Group Selection tool, then hitting and releasing the E key, and then immediately dragging to make the selection marquee.

It's a pretty new functionality in Illustrator. You may remember that long-extinct dinosaurs like FreeHand had a similar option.