Direct Selection Tool - Change in behavior.

[Yoyodyne2112]

Illustrator 29.4 (64-bit), The direct selection tool cannot grab a selection by anchor point after recent updates.  While working with a group of entities (three layer line segments, with identical node count and positioning), I used to be able to select/isolate a group using the Selection Tool (V), once the group was selected/isolated I could switch tools to the Direct Selection Tool (A), then grab a portion of the group and reposition that portion by dragging, using one of the nodes in that selection as a handle.  This was especially handy when repositioning and aligning the node handle with the grid when consistent spacing is required.

I noticed that when this issue happens, it hasn't been consistent; there is no indication that the cursor senses the location of the node I wish to select.  The following images show different cursor responses that have been observed.  The first image shows the icon that indicates node presence, the second image does not.  These images were taken from the same project, but are of two different sub-groups within a parent group containing 14 identical groups of the same design.

I have tried restarting both the application and hardware, with no change in behavior.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

System information is attached below.

<System information details converted to .txt by MOD>

[Bill Silbert · Accepted solution]

If you retained your previous preferences when you upgraded then that could be contributing to your issue. Using old preferences from an older coded version can produce major performance issues. Try resetting preferences. This will restore the program to its defaults and, hopefully improve performance.

To reset prefrerences:

For Macintosh Users: The User Library folder in which Illustrator’s preferences are stored is hidden by default on most Macintoshes. To access it make sure that Illustrator is closed and click on the desktop to launch a Finder Window (Command-N).With this window in column view follow the path User>Home folder (it’s the folder with an icon that looks like a house—it may have the user’s name rather than “Home”) and click on the Home folder. With the Option Key pressed choose Library from the Finder Go Menu. “Library” will now appear within the Home folder. Within the Library folder find the folder called Preferences and within it find the folder called “Adobe Illustrator <Version #> Settings” (earlier versions of Illustrator might just say “Adobe Illustrator”) and the file called “com.adobe.Illustrator.plist” and delete both that folder and that file. When Illustrator is next launched it will create new preference files and the program will be restored to its defaults.

For Windows Users: You can try the quick way of resetting on a PC which is to hold down Ctrl + Alt + Shift when launching Illustrator and respond affirmatively when asked if you want to reset. There have been some recent reports that the window asking if you want to reset is not popping up but that the prefs are being reset anyway. If this works great but if it doesn’t you may have to manually delete them.

To do so: On Windows 7 and above the preference files are hidden. To find them go to the Control Panel and open Folder Options and then click the View tab. Then select “Show hidden files and folders” or “Show hidden files, folders or drive options” in Advanced Settings. Then delete (or rename) the folder at the end of this path: C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator [version number]\ Settings\<Language>. Make sure that Illustrator is closed when you do this. When you relaunch the program it will create new preference files and the program will be at its default settings.

The advantage of manually deleting preference files is that after you’ve reset up the program (make sure that no document window is open) to your liking, you can create copies of your personalized “mint” preference files (make sure that you quit the program before copying them—that finalizes your customization) and use them in the future to replace any corrupt versions you may need to delete.

[Yoyodyne2112]

Thank you for the advice.  Resetting the preferences has resolved the issue. 🙂

[KLYPTO]

Is there some new bug now that has the the direct selction tool behaving like the group selection tool??? I just want to drag and select certain points not apearing to select certain points only for the entite vector to in the end be selected entirely selected and moved as well...

[Monika Gause]

Is there some new bug now that has the the direct selction tool behaving like the group selection tool??? I just want to drag and select certain points not apearing to select certain points only for the entite vector to in the end be selected entirely selected and moved as well...

By @KLYPTO

Can you tell us the version number that you find in "About Illustrator"?

[Yoyodyne2112]

I'm going to jump back into this topic because the previous 'fix' was only effective until the next update.  After that, I started having the same issue and more.

Like KLYPTO, I have noticed similar issues, specifically not being able to use the direct selection tool to manipulate a single node when 'snap to grid' is active.  This, as well as some odd behaviors with the direct selection tool accuracy, not being able to select a path or node close to another, no matter how far I zoom into the drawing.  Before version 29.4 (64-bit), I had no issues with either selection tool and could direct select a node or path segment regardless of whether the Snap To Grid feature was active.

I have been waiting for a software update to confirm whether the issues were resolved. Still, after upgrading to Illustrator 29.6 (64-bit) and testing functionality, I can confirm that the issues have not been addressed, and my frustration with the software continues.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Yoyodyne2112,

Thanks for jumping back in and sharing your experience. I totally understand how frustrating it can be.

I tried reproducing the issue on my end, but I was able to select single anchor points using the Direct Selection tool, even with Snap to Grid enabled. To better understand what might be different in your setup or process, could you please share a short screen recording showing the exact steps you're following? That would really help me compare the workflows and pass on the details to the team if needed.

Looking forward to your update!

Abhishek

[Yoyodyne2112 · Accepted solution]

It seems that the issue has been corrected in the most recent release (version 29.6.1 (64-bit)).  I am now able to grab either a single node or a group of nodes for manipulation using the direct selection tool, without issue.

[KLYPTO]

 Is there some new bug now that has the the direct selction tool behaving like the group selection tool??? I just want to drag and select certain points not apearing to select certain points only for the entite vector to in the end be selected entirely selected and moved as well...