Selection Tool temporary toggle on and off while using pen tool

[jambojam]

Do Adobe programmers monitor this forum? This is a new problem with Illustrator CC 2017 and appears to be a legitimate program error.

In the past, while using the pen tool I could "temporarily" get the selection tool or direct selection tool "Command>Option>Tab". I could toggle back and forth but always have the pen tool under it all as the main active tool.  This would allow me to never change my left hand position and was very efficient.  This still works with the RECTANGLE TOOL but is not nearly as necessary for that. But now on the PEN TOOL, which I use 95% of the time, you can't get to the BLACK ARROW.  The step missing is getting to the "SELECTION TOOL" by hitting the "Command>Option>Tab". This makes quickly selecting a grouped object difficult. To  hit "V" to get to the "SELECTION TOOL" takes me out of the PEN TOOL which I then have to reselect. This is 1000's of extra clicks over a day or 2 due to the complexity of my illustrations.

This has to be a code glitch because it worked for years as indicated above.  It should be an easy fix if ADOBE is paying attention. Nothing else happens when I "Command>Option>Tab" with the PEN TOOL so it has not been reassigned. It just doesn't work anymore.

[barbara_a]

Adobe changed some of the keyboard shortcuts in Illustrator 2017. It appears that when using the Pen tool, if you hold down Control on PC or Command on Mac, you temporarily get the Direct Selection tool. When you release the modifier key, you are back with the Pen tool active.

[jambojam]

Yes but what changed is getting the "Selection Tool" (Solid Black Arrow).  I use several combinations of commands while in the PEN tool and the only thing I can no any longer is get the "Selection Tool".  So if I want to grab a small grouped object as I work, I can't get it without either doing multiple clicks with the direct section tool until I have the whole group selected, or hit V to switch over.  Both of these options interrupt my work flow. Maybe ADOBE had their reason but I since the old combination does nothing I would like it to work again. I've submitted it to them as a feature request so we'll see.

[barbara_a]

I have also submitted a feature request. For anyone else who would like to do so, browse to Feature Request/Bug Report Form

There have been times when, if enough people complain, Adobe will bring back a feature that they have removed. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Monika Gause]

Press Cmd+Alt (Win: Ctrl+Alt) to get the group selection tool. With it you can move your small object.

[jambojam]

I use that combination but you still have to click as many times as there are levels to the group. I will have objects that have several groups nested within. A grouped fingernail, on a grouped finger, on a grouped hand, etc.  The Group selection tool selects them one level at a time, which does work but not like getting that BLACK arrow just by adding in the TAB key. One click and you have the whole group. Move it, Hide it, whatever and then release and you're back to the PEN tool.

[Om Nath Jha]

Hi all,

Please fill in the feature request form: Feature Request/Bug Report Form as suggested by Barbara. I'll also report this to the concerned team to take a look and will update as soon as I get a reply.

Regards,

Om

[hilonegro]

hi, with CTRL+ALT GR does work