P: Eyedropper tool now switches window focus

[AriochIV]

I recently upgraded to PS CC 2020, and I'm frustrated by what appears to be a change in the behavior of the Eyedropper tool.

I'm used to frequently using the Alt- key with the Brush selected to activate the Eyedropper and quickly select a color from a different document window within Photoshop. But now, in 2020, a click from the Eyedropper tool will most of the time switch the focus to the window that I clicked in, This happens whether I have the Eyedropper tool selected or am using Alt. Except that the behavior is not consistent... sometimes (rarely) the focus stays the same, and sometimes it quickly flashes back and forth.

The fact that the behavior is inconsistent suggests to me that something may be wrong, and that this is not just another inexplicable deliberate change in the behavior of PS tools. Is this a known issue, and is there any fix or workaround for it?

[AriochIV]

I forgot to mention that I'm using Windows 10.

[J453]

Thanks. I've asked engineering to take a look.

[AriochIV]

Thanks.

[J453]

This issue should be fixed in the 21.2 update that went out this AM. Let us know if you're still having trouble.

[AriochIV]

No, a click with the eyedropper tool (whether manually selected or temporarily selected with the Alt key) still changes focus to the window clicked on. This is using 21.2.0.

It does work properly if both windows are free floating, but it doesn't work when the main window is docked.

[J453]

OK. This is strange. Are you only seeing this when the docked image is active and you try to sample from the floating image?

[AriochIV]

That's correct.

[AriochIV]

Having used it more, now I find that it's behaving pretty much the same way it did before the update. Even when all the windows are free floating, sometimes the eyedropper switches focus, and sometimes it doesn't. The behavior seems erratic.

[dinosnake]

I am having the same problem. Photoshop 21.2 on Windows 10 1909.   I only free-float windows, never dock, and the window you have brought up to the foreground loses focus when you use the eyedropper (zoom) - focus goes back to the previous window you were working on, not the one that you just brought to focus yourself.

Note that I fully uninstalled all Adobe Creative Cloud products and reinstalled, as this isn't the only bug that I've been dealing with.  No changes, all bugs are still here. 

Driving me crazy.  The latest version of Photoshop is bug-ridden in the most inconvenient places.

[J453]

I've reopened this for engineering to look at, thanks.

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

I am going through the same thing with the eyedropper tool, it definitely has an impact on my workflow.  Photoshop V 21.2
Windows 10 Pro 19041.388
Thanks for any help in this matter!

[omerh7177378]

Having the same issue - eyedrop tool changes active window. Really has an impact on workflow. Working with windows 10, cintiq, photoshop v 21.2.2

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

Finally managed to sign into my account to say that I'm also still having this problem with Windows 10 | Photoshop v. 21.2.2

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

same here, fore some reason it keeps changing focus.
windows 10
Photoshop 21.2.2

[J453]

Let me know if you're still having trouble with this issue in 22.0.1 or later.

[AriochIV]

It does appear to be working properly on version 22.1.0.

There is some new strange behavior with the shape tools in this version, but I suppose that's for a different ticket. 😄

[pixeltao]

I'm now having this exact same issue in Photoshop 2021, in the latest version 22.4.2. Is there a workaround for this or should I revert back to a previous version?

Thanks!

Jonathan

[AriochIV]

@Jonathan Lavigne It's working correctly for me now. I'm on version 22.4.2 20210602.r.242 a4f6042  x64

Photoshop briefly switches to the window I Alt-click on, but then switches back to the current window, in less than a second. 

[pixeltao]

Ok weird. It's intermittent on my side, like what you described in your original post. Maybe it's a symptom of another setting... But yeah that brief focus shifting behavior (even when it works properly) sure looks weird to me. I never noticed this with previous versions.

I updated Photoshop during the weekend (I was previously using the 2017 version and had no issue). I'll investigate more. Thanks!

[pixeltao]

OK, I think I figured out the repro steps. Here's what I got:

If I explicitly select the Eyedropper tool (using the "i" shortcut or clicking it in the toolbar) and I color pick the other window, it gives focus to that other window.

But when using the "Alt" shortcut (with pencil or paintbrush), the focus switches back as intended.

[AriochIV]

@Jonathan Lavigne Yeah, I have the same behavior. That may be as intended. Fortunately I use the Alt shortcut. 

[pixeltao]

OK good to know, thanks for confirming!

I reverted to Photoshop CC 2019 and the behavior is definitely different (better). There's no weird temporary window focus shift when using the Eyedropper tool with "alt". The Eyedropper tool also never switches focus when I explicitly select the tool.

So, this behavior clearly changed in newer versions. Not sure if it's a bug or intended, but in my case, this interferes with my workflow. I'll keep using the 2019 version for now.

[pixeltao]

An update:
I Tested a few more things with Photoshop 2021, and I noticed that if I uncheck "Show Sampling Ring" the Eyedropper tool now behaves as expected and doesn't switch window focus.

Another thing I've found: If I select the Eyedropper tool and then use "alt" to color pick (like I'd do when using the pencil/brush), that also prevents from switching focus. So, that's another workaround.

 @JeffreyTranberry What's the proper way to submit a bug report?