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cassandrarose
Participant
February 27, 2020
Answered

Path and anchor points disappearing when I move a point with the direct selection tool

  • February 27, 2020
  • 9 replies
  • 21419 views

I think I accidentally pressed a keyboard shortcut or something and now when I move an anchor point or a handle with the direct selection tool, all the anchor points and the path that isn't directly on each side of the point I am moving disappear until I let go of the mouse button. I am used to seeing the path and points of an object the entire time while adjusting an anchor point. I have looked through the keyboard shortcuts and I can't find anything that would seem to fix this. I have already tried restarting Illustrator and that didn't help.

Correct answer Neo_26314381vsu1

"ctrl+U/ cmd+U" is what makes them appear and disappear. Hope this helps.

 

9 replies

Ι
ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ341145032qe7
Participant
December 7, 2023

@cassandrarose did you find the solution? i encounter this problem. when i click prolonged to draw a path i cant see the

previous path that is connected.

A
Community Manager
Anubhav MCommunity Manager
Community Manager
December 13, 2023

Hello @ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ341145032qe7,

Sorry to hear about this experience. Would you mind sharing more details, like the exact version of the OS/Illustrator, a sample file (https://adobe.ly/47UWrC6), and a screen recording of the problem (https://adobe.ly/47XViK6), so we can investigate this further?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

 

Thanks,

Anubhav

P
pacific_4940
Participant
April 29, 2025

was this ever resolved? 

 

My anchor points are now disappearing as well

N
Neo_26314381vsu1Correct answer
Participant
September 27, 2022

"ctrl+U/ cmd+U" is what makes them appear and disappear. Hope this helps.

 

    Bacardijim10_96
    Bacardijim10_96
    Participating Frequently
    February 25, 2021

    Go to Preferences, Performance then uncheck Real-Time Drawing and Editing

    Bacardijim10_96
    Bacardijim10_96
    Participating Frequently
    February 25, 2021
    outlines.jpg
    FoggyNotion
    FoggyNotion
    Participant
    August 31, 2020

    A fogotten "ctrl+ H" / "cmd+H"?  I've fooled myself with that one.

      K
      Ko Custom
      Participant
      August 16, 2020

      Try turning off Real-Time Drawing and Editing in Performance.

        rogerinlondon
        rogerinlondon
        Inspiring
        August 17, 2020

        Thanks. Turning off Real-Time Drawing fixed the problem.

          J
          Jeremy5FA9
          Participant
          March 26, 2021

          this immediately relieved my headaches, many thanks!!!!! 

          Kurt Gold
          Community Expert
          Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          August 12, 2020

          Roger,

           

          Can you record and post a short video that shows the behaviour in Illustrator 23.1.1 (the "correct" behaviour as per your description)?

           

          I'm asking because as long as I can remember Illustrator's standard or normal behaviour was to just show the anchor point that was moved and the two adjacent points (the supposed "wrong" behaviour).

           

          Are you using a mouse or some other input device?

          Ton Frederiks
          Community Expert
          Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          August 12, 2020

          I cannot remember this  being different either.

          https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator/path-disappears-when-moving-individual-anchor-points-or-handle/m-p/11336192?page=1#M188010

          Charu Rajput
          Community Expert
          Charu RajputCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          May 11, 2020

          Hi,

          May following link will help you

           

          https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator/suddenly-can-t-see-anchor-point-and-handles-of-paths-illustrator/td-p/3817097?page=1

           

          Thanks

           

          Best regards
          C
          cassandraroseAuthor
          Participant
          March 2, 2020

          I tried resetting my preferences and it did not help. I am still having the same problem. Is there anything else I can try?

          A
          anchorofhope
          Participant
          May 11, 2020

          Did you find the solution? I recently upgraded Illustrator and have the same problem of the anchor points disappearing when I begin to move an object. This is a problem because I can't line objects up perfectly since I don't know where the exact middle is. Thanks for the help!

          Charu Rajput
          Community Expert
          Charu RajputCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          May 11, 2020

          May this link will help you

          https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator/suddenly-can-t-see-anchor-point-and-handles-of-paths-illustrator/td-p/3817097?page=1

           

          Thanks

          Best regards
          meganchi
          meganchi
          Legend
          February 27, 2020

          Go to the View menu. Select "Show Edges"?

            C
            cassandraroseAuthor
            Participant
            February 27, 2020

            I have already tried that. The path is visible when I select the path or a point. But then the path and all other points disappear except for the two points directly to each side of the selected point and the section of path connecting those points. The path and all points become visible again when I release the mouse button.

             

            For example: If I select the top point of a pentagon and I drag that point, only the top point and the point to the left and the right are visible with their connecting paths. The bottom two points disappear and so does the bottom 3 paths. (I hope that was understandable.)

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