Using cursor keys to increase/decrease sides and graph lines not working

Report · Apr 22, 2022

Macbook pro M1 user / LONG-time Illustrator user (since v. 88)

most recent CC 2022 v.

Using the following tools is not working using the cursor keys to increase the number of sides nor the x and y axis / radius on graphs NOR using the control key to increase / decrease the size of the points on the star: POLYGON, STAR, RECTANGULAR GRID, POLAR GRID.

I can right click to add the exact number of sides and control the radius of the points, etc., but being the visual person that I am, I prefer to "eyeball it" using the keys to control it.

Is there a fix I can use to help with this or perhaps an update in the works for this?

thanks,

Michelle

Report · Apr 22, 2022

"whhhhhhu" <blowing on mic>

"bap bap bap" <tapping on mic>

"this thing on?"

"so it's just me then?"

Report · Apr 22, 2022

Hi Michelle,

Yes those keys are very helpful visually. Are the cursor keys working on your Macbook for other things like nudging objects? When did this problem start was it after an update to illustraro OS or plug in, or just randomly?

Never heard of right-clicking to control number of points on a star, sounds similar to option clicking.

Reset Prefs Thoroughly (Mac)

Quit Your Adobe App (100% you must do this)

Finder >> Go (hold down option to show hidden) >> library

Rename these 4 folders

Preferences >> Adobe >> Program Name rename to (Program Name .old)
Library- >> Caches >> com.(Program Name) rename to (Program Name .old)
Library >> Application Support >> Adobe >> Program Name rename to (Program Name.old)
/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP rename to (CEP .old)

Report · Apr 22, 2022

Hi Mike,

Thanks for getting back with me on this. Yea, I meant option click. sorry.

I did the things you mentioned. Two things though 1) I am attaching a photo of the Application Support folder because I wanted to be sure I had changed the right things (both highlighted) [the new instance of the folder is because I restarted the program before taking this screenshot] 2) there was no item named CEP - I see that you have used a different structure instead of using the >> you used / — so is this located in a different place or is there a reason for the slash instead of the >>?

Report · Apr 22, 2022

And yes, the cursor keys are working for everything else…even in Illustrator.

Report · Apr 22, 2022

BTW - command key to increase size of star points DOES work. <head smack>

Still waiting on a solution to the cursor keys tho.

Report · Apr 23, 2022

WHich other applications are running?

There's a long list of apps that interfere with modifier keys. Chrome being at the top of it.

But since this seems to be related to using the mouse (or other pointer device), you might want to take a look at settings in your system,. maybe related to accessibility, maybe something in a mouse driver or tablet driver (whichever you use) or maybe antivirus

Report · Apr 28, 2022

Hi @lmmura615,

We are sorry to hear about the trouble you are facing. I agree with Monika. This generally happens when the third-party application is interfering with Illustrator. In that case, you may try running the app in Safe Mode and launch Illustrator only. Then, open/ create a new document, try the keys, and see if that works. In Safe Mode, your system starts to perform certain checks and prevent third-party software/ services from automatically loading or opening. If it works fine in Safe Mode, then open other apps one by one, which you usually open, and see which app is conflicting with Illustrator. You can check and find the culprit app/ process/ plugin/ extension with the help of Activity Monitor, and then you'll have to close/ disable/ uninstall them on your user account and then restart Mac in normal mode.

Also, it can happen due to corrupt preferences. In that case, you may try resetting them as suggested above by Mike.

~/Library/Caches
~/Library/Application Support/Adobe
~/Library/Preferences
Rename Adobe Illustrator, com.adobe.illustrator and Adobe Illustrator 26 Settings folders to Adobe Illustrator.old, com.adobe.illustrator.old and Adobe Illustrator 26 Settings.old
Launch Illustrator from the Creative Cloud.
Rename the CEP folder to CEP.old from the following location:
/Library/Application Support/Adobe
If that doesn't help, rename the UXP folder to UXP.old from the following locations:
/Library/Application Support/Adobe
~/Library/Application Support/Adobe
If that doesn't help either, uninstall the application using the CC Cleaner tool and reinstall it from the Creative Cloud Desktop app.

Note: Location starting with this "~" sign indicates the User Library, which is hidden. So, you need to copy & paste the exact path in spotlight search or from Finder Menu > Go > Go to Folder > Paste the location in the dialog box like this:

Let us know how it goes.

Kindly update the discussion if you still need assistance with it. We'd be happy to help.

Thanks & Regards,

Anshul Saini

Using cursor keys to increase/decrease sides and graph lines not working

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