object invisible when moving

[Pekka Varis]

When ever I move or drag objects in illustrator, they disapper and only the bounding box of object is visible. This is super frustrating. I remember long time ago, that if I pressed down few seconds the move tool and after that started to move my objects, they were visible all the time..

How to do this on latest illustrator?

Pekka

[Jacob Bugge]

Pekka,

Maybe too silly, but you may try toggling between GPU and CPU with Ctrl/Cmd+E, or you may try disabling the GPU Performance by clicking the Rocket Icon in the App bar, or on the top of the menu bar, and deselecting the GPU Performance check box; you may also uncheck GPU Performance in your Preferences.

This is what GPU is about:

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/gpu-performance-preview-improvements.html

[Pekka Varis]

Thank you for this tip Jacob! My GPU is powerfull, and my problem was the linked AI file.

[cakeholio]

Ctrl E (GPU preview) fixed it.
And it didn't feel too silly. In fact, it made my day!

[cakeholio]

...which I realize is silly

[Jacob Bugge]

It seems that we are inescapably silly, cakeholio.

[cakeholio]

[TQ_QT]

When I do the CTRL E it doesn't do anything when moving my image it still dissappear 

[Bobby Henderson]

Check the Preferences dialog box in Adobe Illustrator (keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K). Click on the "Performance" listing in the left column of the dialog box. That category will show "GPU Performance" and if your computer has a compatible GPU. The setting needs to be checked "on" to enable things like animated zoom or continuous full color rendering of objects while they are being moved.

[Kurt Gold]

That has always been the standard behaviour in Illustrator.

The thing you remember does work in InDesign, but currently not in Illustrator.

[DougKatz · Accepted solution]

Kurt, when I drag an object – with either the selection or direct selection tool – I don't see "only the bounding box of the object" as the OP does. I don't see the bounding box at all (whether set to be visible or otherwise in the View menu). I see the outline of the object I'm dragging, as if Illustrator is temporarily in Outline view until I mouse-up.

[Pekka Varis]

Oh! I was moving an linked AI file inside my document. That´s is why I did not saw the outline of my object. Thank you very much everybody!

[Kurt Gold]

I was rather referring to the invisible part of the question, Doug. It applies that one does not see the bounding box while dragging objects.

But it is not true that the contents/appearance is always invisible while you are dragging things to and fro. There is a hidden, er, self-evident option to show the contents while dragging linked files and embedded raster images. Go to Object > Document Setup and turn on the Show Images in Outline Mode. Don't go to Outline Mode, stay in Preview Mode. Then select any linked file or some raster images and drag them back and forth. Can you see it?

[Pekka Varis]

I cannot find the setting, can you post a few sreenshots along the way please?

First of all, there is no Object, Document setup. There is File, Document setup.

Then If I select that and activate "Show images in outline mode, I do not see any new sub setting to activate Preview mode. If there is not, then there is nothing to change at my AI settings and problem is not gone. Well, It is not a problem anymore since I can always embedd the linked ai file.. But it would be nice to make the change you talk about..

Sorry that I cannot find it! Please help me only if you have time to post those screenshots..

[Kurt Gold]

Sorry, of course I meant the Document Setup dialog in the File menu, not in the Object menu.

Preview mode is referring to the setting in the View menu.

[Pekka Varis]

Thank you guys! This is perfect solution.

[cmkrapf]

Years later I run into this issue again, however this solution actually makes everything worse...it gives you a live drag preview however it obfuscates everything in the artwork and makes the live preview the top-most object momentarily, blocking view of everything else you're working with. Incidentally this is an issue that makes me want to gouge my eyes out daily in MS Powerpoint. I need to modify the position of an object or photo relative to other elements in the artwork and it blocks the view of everything. I'm sure this is as frustrating for everyone as it is me. Why does Adobe insist on making everything worse?

[Ton Frederiks]

You have a very simple checkbox to turn the live preview off in Preferences > Performance > Real-Time Drawing and Editing.

[JimmyReich]

This is exactly what helped me with my problem. Thank you for this.

[Jacob Bugge]

Pekka,

I saw (not) what Doug saw (not), hence the silly GPU suggestion (GPU may cause some seriously strange things).

When you tick the (File>Document Setup>)Show images in outline mode as Kurt said, there is no need to do anything else. His exquisite trick is to have the placed file (or image) act as if it is still in Preview Mode even when it is (effectively temporarily) in Outline Mode while being moved.

Edit: Hi Kurt. I often have some serious troubles posting in our forum so at times my posts are seriously delayed.

And hi Doug.

[DougKatz]

Hi, Jacob.

My post #3 was about moving native vector objects. Hadn't even tried moving linked or embedded images. But – to everyone's surprise and wonder – Kurt is exactly right about Document Setup's control over the appearance of linked and embedded objects while dragging.

[Jacob Bugge]

Doug,

Indeed, and the setting only mentions images even though it also applies to placed (vector/whatever) artwork/files.