P: Brush Mask creates an errant diagonal straight line stroke (Win)

[kelly35363639fa2y]

Lightroom Brush Option is drawing a weird line when I start to select an area. This won't stop happening. I've closed and open the program numberous times. Updated masks and AI features constantly and it's still happening.  I can't use the brush option at all and I am on a deadline. I don't know how much longer I can keep using Lightroom or my subscription. 

[jimothyq2175]

Lr version 8.2 updated today 2/13/25

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

I am unable to replicate this failure using the instructions provided. 

Likely culprits would be any pointing device drivers and GPU updates that may need updating. 

[From Paris and beyond]

Hello,

After updating Lightroom I am having trouble with the masking brush. On the first stroke of a new mask it creates a long line extending to the edge of the picture that I didn't do. Following this first stroke I can precisely add another stroke where I want it e.g under the eyes only to remove shadows. But when I add a new mask with the brush, it repeats this issue.... HELP!!

thanks!

[Sameer K]

Hey, @From Paris and beyond. Welcome to the Lightroom Community. Thanks for adding the screenshot; it helps.

We've tried to recreate this but with no success. Has this started to happen since a recent update? Does this image have any global adjustments applied to it prior to the masking workflow? Are you working with a mouse & keyboard or using an external stylus for input? 

You can try resetting Lightroom as a primary step in troubleshooting this. 

1 - While holding down the ALT + SHIFT keys, launch Lightroom from the Creative Cloud desktop app. 

2 - Select 'Yes' when prompted to reset Preferences. 

Let me know how it goes. Thanks!
Sameer K

(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

[Rob_Cullen]

Post a screen-clip of the "weird line" and someone may be able to suggest an answer.

[Eager_nature2432]

Hi, 

I am having the same issue. When I click to mark the area with the brush it makes a diagonal line from the click point, which I later have to subtract. I am zoomed in on the photo whilst completing this work. 

[Pertti Ylenius]

I'm having the exact same issue, its been happening for a month now at least? Whenever I go to make a mask with a brush, it first creates that weird bugged straight line from the top left. Then I undo it, go to make an another mask, sometimes it does it AGAIN and sometimes works fine. But, then I also get a thing where I click on the brush at this point to try it again, and it creates a layer that already has a lot of settings turned on...those settings just get put to that brush layer instantly and they dont seem to make any sense? Im adding a leyer and then the brush just does a bright blue or super over exposed layer instead of the normal masking red, it's so weird. So then I undo that one also, and then third or 4th time, I can finally use the brush mask tool to make something proper.
I use it on PC and have a wacom tablet, which I thought was initially causing it but Im not sure?

[Rob_Cullen]

@Eager_nature2432  Your line looks like a red Brush overlay where a straight line has been drawn by the procedure-

Click Brush > move cursor > Shift+Click Brush.

It is useful to check the box for [Reset Sliders Automatically]. This could eliminate a problem such as the brush beeing set to a color that keeps appearing.

Does the coloured line disappear when you press keyboard [ O ] for Overlay?

[Eager_nature2432]

Hi again, 

I have screen recorded the issue. I do not select shift when using the brush, when i make my intial click the straight line generates. I delete the mask or undo and try again until it stops doing it. 

[darien_5112]

This is unnaceptable! I have been using lightroom for over 3 years. You guys did an update a month ago and the entite platform is completely useless. I go to use the brush tool, it automatically makes a line across the screen that I have to delete and start over. I go to use the bandaid tool, it automatically begins making random bandaid selections and I have to delete up to 5 in less then a minute... A complete waste of time. The linier grid tool stalls too and I have to redo it 3 entire times or more. The slide buttons on the right tool bar all get stuck or when I move them they go right back to the middle and I have to do it over and over again. I pay over 30$ a month for this? Please fix this! Or please give me some sort of reimbursment because this is absolutely useless. 

[Rikk Flohr: Photography]

From the description of the problem, it sounds like you:

1. Have an out-of-date video driver

2. Mouse/Tablet Driver

3. Or both 

Recommendations: 

1. Update your OS to the latest version available from Microsoft

2. Go to your GPU manufacturer's website and install the latest Studio Driver - not their Gaming Driver

3. Make sure all of your pointer devices (Mouse, Tablet, Track Pad, etc) are up to date from their respective manufacturers site.

If after all this, you still are seeing the same issue, reset your Lightroom Desktop Preferences. 

This procedure works for both Lightroom Classic and Lightroom Desktop.

If you are using Lightroom Desktop, it can change your local storage location. Please review this setting after resetting preferences. 

Reset Procedure:

1. Close Lightroom.

2. Hold down [Alt/Opt]+[Shift] while restarting Lightroom.

3. Overwrite the Preferences when prompted by the dialog.

4. Close Lightroom.

5. Restart Lightroom.

If that fails to correct the problem, then you will need to supply complete system information in your reply. 

My money is on your GPU driver...

[darien_5112]

I had to uninstall the newest update & downgrade. The new update is loaded
with bugs. None of your options worked. Thanks.

[Paul33017720n14x]

I have been seeing the same issue, did the Preferences reset work for you?

[Generous_view0D45]

Seriously? Of course it's a brush overlay. The problem is that it's drawing itself. Whether or not the overlay is visible doesn't change the fact that the mask is still there.

[Rob_Cullen]

@Eager_nature2432  and @Generous_view0D45   Sorry but I don't have the answer. This problem is something I have never encountered or seen in posts by others except yourselves.

Making some guesses here with common suggestions for things you might try (if not done already)-  A Preferences reset, or a full un-install and re-install.

[kelly35363639fa2y]

Apologies to the community. I've bever used the help feature before and didn't realize it was bringing me to a LR discussion forum and not LR customer service? Oops. Oh well, lesson learned. Thank you to those who've added productive assistance/suggestions! 

[kelly35363639fa2y]

Yes! Same here! Sometimes it resolves with multiple tries of undoing is or restarting LR. So frustrating. But yes, just as you described... I'm trying to brush the area I want and it's as if the brush takes over and makes the straight line from the top left instead of what I'm "brushing." 

[kelly35363639fa2y]

Thank you! No, it doesn't disappear when pressing O for Overlay. But I'm going to check on the Reset Sliders Automatically! It's not the brush color that is the problem. The program is drawing a straight line as if it's taking over. I'm not drawing the straight line. 😕 

[kelly35363639fa2y]

Thank you for taking the time to help with this! Yes, that's the only way I've been able to resolve it to, but it's often taking 5-6 tries and that is a lot of valuable time. Hopefully I can reach out to LR? and see about a fix as it sounds like this is an issue for many users. 

[kelly35363639fa2y]

Seriously. Should I have described it differently? And yes, I already understand all of that. I know the mask is there whether visible or not and I know how to view an overlay and how to hide them. The problem is that it is drawing itself, not what I'm "drawing." I'm looking to see if anyone else has a fix to this apparent bug or if anyone else knows if LR is doing anything for a remedy. Any thoughts on the problem? 

[Rob_Cullen]

Hi Kelly, FYI, To chat with an Adobe Support person-

Contact adobe support by clicking here, https://helpx.adobe.com/contact.html?rghtup=autoOpen
In the chat field (lower right of screen), Typing “Agent” into the chat text field will bypass the initial chatbot.
be patient, it can take quite a while to reach a human
If you are not able to get to the chat window, then disable your ad-blockers, firewall, enable cookies/scripts on your browser. If it still fails then change your browser/machine/network.

[chandler_9626]

same issue here too

[Paul33017720n14x]

@Sameer K 

I am seeing the same issue, I tried the Preferences reset and I think that the issue is less frequent, but is still definitely there. Please advise.

[Jim27779418czcl]

I am having the same issue.

[ChecosVision]

Did you ever find a solution to this problem? It's been happening to me for a couple months now, best way I could find avoid it is to click first rather than click & hold.