Participant

Answered

Everytime i use move tool...i get this message "Can't move the objects. The command was canceled."

Forum|Forum|9 years ago
November 26, 2016
8 replies
52122 views

Correct answer SundayGladiator

Hello Anubhav,

Always appreciate your responsiveness!

I solved my issue - somewhat ..

Turns out there were box objects - eg basic outlined boxes - created in Word along with the text in this form type of .docx file. When I created the PDF from Word, then brought into AI, I was able to create outlines and move the text, but not the graphics (boxes) from Word. They were frozen, unselectable. Thereby entire document could not be moved, nor copy/pasted into another AI file.

Therefore I somehow isolated those problematic boxes using the direct selection tool (took many clicks on those suckers to get the points to appear), deleted all the graphic boxes, and re-created those boxes in Illustrator.

Voila - All the text + the boxes can now be moved.

In summary - Realizing any imported shapes from Word into AI causes issues.

Hope someone finds this helpful.

S

SundayGladiator

Legend

I've gotta reopen this one ...

I tried all the solutions -

> Object > Expand..

Nothing.

> Object > Expand Appearances

Greyed out.

> Select > Remove stray points

Nothing.

> Quit out of Illustrator. Reopened AI file.

Nothing. Still the same effing message.

Background: This was a Word .doc saved out as a PDF file, which I then opened in AI and did a create outlines.

I un-grouped everything, unlocked everything. Can't move it. Can't copy it.

Help.

A

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @SundayGladiator,

Could you try copying all of the layers/objects from this document to a new document to see if it helps? If the problem persists, kindly share a link to the file here or via DM after uploading it to a file-sharing service, so I can check it on my end.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

S

SundayGladiatorCorrect answer

Legend

Hello Anubhav,

Always appreciate your responsiveness!

I solved my issue - somewhat ..

Turns out there were box objects - eg basic outlined boxes - created in Word along with the text in this form type of .docx file. When I created the PDF from Word, then brought into AI, I was able to create outlines and move the text, but not the graphics (boxes) from Word. They were frozen, unselectable. Thereby entire document could not be moved, nor copy/pasted into another AI file.

Therefore I somehow isolated those problematic boxes using the direct selection tool (took many clicks on those suckers to get the points to appear), deleted all the graphic boxes, and re-created those boxes in Illustrator.

Voila - All the text + the boxes can now be moved.

In summary - Realizing any imported shapes from Word into AI causes issues.

Hope someone finds this helpful.

N

Nikita30047555joy3

Participant

I had the same problem and I made sure to save everything first, then I quit Illustrator and re-opened and it worked.

E

enrigueacevedo

Participant

Just open another document, or page and copy and paste from the original. Thanks for nothing ADOBE.

E

enrigueacevedo

Participant

Drama removed filter ( Open another document, or page and copy and paste from the original )

Monika Gause

Community Expert

So basically you removed an effect that you previously applied and then the problem was solved?

H

Hemanth5F9B

Participant

Goto.. Obeject > Exapand Appearences

S

Salva González

Participant

Thnak you! It saved my day

D

dustinr25614762

Participating Frequently

This is not a one size fits all solution, but I was having the same issue and did "Object > Expand" and was able to move the newly expanded shape. In my case, it was essentially indiscernable from the original shape, so it was no problem.

Edit: justs realized this was a duplicate solution post. My bad. Carry on.

T

Trufolina

Participant

Worked for me, too.

bhavins7814412Author

Participant

Phantasm.aip plug in is missing...thats the reason i am not able to move objects.

Thanx for your support.

alecuitti

Participant

I have this problem as well. from a file downloaded at vectorstock.com

I wonder if the author realized they were putting out something with a plugin that will shut your ability to edit down.

I would consider that a black hat plugin if you must purchase it in order to edit a file.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

The concept of plugins is that you always need to have them installed in order to edit the file.

The designer of that file forgot to expand the objects and vectorstock didn't check the file thoroughly. I would just complain to them.

barbara_a7746676

Community Expert

This problem could be caused by any number of things. Are you able to move the objects with your arrow keys?

Here are some suggestions you could try:

View > Outline, and check if there are any objects that may be preventing using the Move tool.
Choose Select > Object > Stray Points and delete any stray points.
In Preferences > Selection & Anchor Display, uncheck 'Object Selection by Path Only'
It might be a resource issue -- try closing other programs or try moving paths on a simpler file.
The Cleaner Tool usually solves any strangeness. I've had to use it a couple of times. Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems

Larry G. Schneider

Community Expert

More information required. What OS and version? What version of AI (exactly)? What is the objects (group or selected pathItems)? Does the Select tool work?

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