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Dative
Known Participant
March 30, 2017
Answered

Brush Cursor changing to Crosshair

  • March 30, 2017
  • 14 replies
  • 116896 views

Not sure if this is a Photoshop glitch or a problem with my keyboard but the circular brush cursor occasionally disappears. Firstly, caps is not on, secondly, I haven't made the brush size too big for the screen. I've been having a problem recently with my Mac where my caps lock gets stuck on and I have to do a PRAM reset to turn it off, I initially thought the Photoshop brush problem was related to this but it happens now even when my caps is off.

I've noticed a string of problems popping up in InDesign 2017 on the new iMac I work on due to the graphics card etc. so I thought it might be version related.

Any ideas?

    Correct answer NYTaxista

    Actually, go to brushes settings and use PRECISE...that gives you back the circle size of the brush!!!

    14 replies

    Show previous replies
    PECourtejoie
    Community Expert
    PECourtejoieCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 17, 2020

    Hello, just in case, you can also get the crosshair cursor if the brush is larger than what can be shown on screen.
    But I'll keep the laptop tip for future reference!

    H
    Hopsternew
    Participant
    November 13, 2019

    That solves a problem I have been seeing for years! . I need to look in support more with better searches too. Thankyou

    donotlicktoaster
    donotlicktoaster
    Participant
    June 8, 2019

    I still have this problem, but with a Wacom Intuos tablet plugged in.  If I use the trackpad to draw, the brush tool is normal.  However, if I use the stylus on my Wacom tablet, the cursor becomes crosshairs and does not draw a brush.  I've had this problem in the past and the only success I've had is by restarting the whole machine.  Caps lock is not on.  It's very frustrating.  I'll update if I ever find out how to fix this.

    A
    aorfanos
    Participating Frequently
    March 13, 2022

    aLSO CANNOT RESOLVE THIS. cLEARLTY AN ISSUS WITH aDOBE

    K
    KPC_Creative
    Participating Frequently
    July 3, 2022

    I did a complete reinstall brsuh defaults to crosshairs instead of circl and caps lock does not fix the issue. Just trying to work here and I cannot. Having several issues with my brand new mac laptop and photoshop 2022 fully updated, HELP ME PLEASE!

    Mohit Goyal
    Community Manager
    Mohit GoyalCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    March 30, 2017

    Hi Dative,

    Most of the time it gets fixed by turning off the Caps lock key, since you have already tried it you may try and reset Photoshop preferences.

    Regards,

    Mohit

      M
      miguela71947413
      Inspiring
      December 15, 2017

      Hi,

      I reset the preferences twice and the cross is still there. I can see the circle just when I turn on/off the caps-lock but when I move the mouse, the circle becomes the bloody cross.

      It was just after the update to the latest version ( I updated all the adobe suite). I'm on macbook pro osx 10.13.1

      I really need the shape for my job, so I really appreciate your solutions.

      Thanks in advance

        L
        liljonna
        Participant
        March 28, 2025

        I'm probably way late, but I just solved this on my own MBP in the most unexpected way and want to leave it for any future users.  I initially reset Photoshop preferences and nothing happened.  But I was using my laptop in clamshell closed mode and when I cracked it open, I discovered that even though caps lock was off on the external keyboard, it was on on the laptop, which somehow activated the PS brush toggle.  Guess even with the lid closed, the keyboard remains active and receives priority from the OS.  Anyway, switching it off fixed the issue.


        THANK YOU

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