Brush tool not filling size

[J Gwaltney]

My normal brush tool (and stamp, healing brushes) are not filling in the diameter of the brush - reveals a smaller dot in the normal brush size circle. I don't know how to fix this so my size selection is what the tool uses.

I am using a MacBook Pro running OS Big Sur, version 11.6

Photoshop 21.1.1 release

[c.pfaffenbichler · Accepted solution]

What is the Apple > System Preferences > Accessibility > Display > Cursor setting? 

Please post a screenshot. 

[Glamour Ali]

Thanks a lot c.pfaffenbichler

I had the same issue and it fixed by your solution! God bless you!

[kevin stohlmeyer]

Three things you can try:

1. Check your cursor preferences as @c.pfaffenbichler mentioned - confirm if its set to Show Full Size Brush Tip or Normal Brush Tip.

2. Select your Brush tool and go to the top left of your screen. Use the drop down menu next to the brush icon and Reset Tool.

3. Go to your Brush Settings panel and use the fly out menu to Clear Brush Controls.

[PECourtejoie]

Hi, Kevin means the Photoshop/Preferences/Cursors, while Christoph speaks about the Apple preferences, two different places to check.

[eschercat88]

@kevin stohlmeyer I tried all three of your suggestions, but none of them worked for me. Maybe it will help if I give you my specs.

I'm using Photoshop 2022 on a…

• MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021)
• macOS Monterey, Version 12.0.1
• Chip: Apple M1 Pro
• Memory: 32 GB

Thank you so much!

[kevin stohlmeyer]

Two additional things to try:

In your Photoshop Preferences/Performance - disable the GPU settings in the top right. Restart PS and see if there is a difference with the brush display.

If not, turn it back on, restart PS then...

Go to Photoshop Preferences/Technology Preview and check "Deactivate Native Canvas". Restart PS and check again.

Let us know if either of these changes affect the brush display. All of this is just troubleshooting to narrow down what could be affecting it.

Last resort is to reset your preferences. Easiest way is under PS Prefs/General, click "Reset preferences upon Quit". Then quit and relaunch PS.

[J Gwaltney]

Hi Kevin,

I found this response and in my case it worked:
*Jeff Arola * * • Adobe Community Professional , Jul 04, 2019 *
*On the mac side go to Apple>System Preferences>Accessibility>Display and
set the Cursor size to Normal.*

This was driving me crazy. I have copied your tips and will keep them if
Photoshop starts acting wonky again.

Thanks for your help. Joy

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Just to make sure: Please post a screenshot of the Apple > System Preferences > Accessibility > Display > Cursor window. 

[Peru Bob]

Does changing the brush hardness help?

[Jeff Arola · Accepted solution]

As suggested by c.pfaffenbichler, go to Apple>System Preferences>Accessibility>Display and set the Cursor size to Normal.

[jeremyp1470049]

I had the same issue, and this is what caused it.  I wish that I could have the cursor size larger than normal, and have it effect every cursor except the paint brush in Photoshop.  Thank you for the screenshot.  

[nightgolfer]

Thank you for saving my sanity!

I had changed the cursor size inSystem Preferences > Accessibility > Display > Pointer > Pointer Size for a screen sharing presentation the other day, and forgot to change it back.

Incidentally, in my version of MacOS (Monterey 12.6.3), the specific section of System Preferences now looks like this, and it seems they've changed the word "Cursor" to "Pointer" (although this may be dependent on your MacOS language settings; mine is just 'English'). Just typing it out here to help anyone doing a search on this page.
 

[Jeff Arola]

Yes thank you for that.

Apple has changed the whole Settings menu in macOS Venteura 13.xxx

[nightgolfer]

Whoa, that's a rather major change! 😮

Let's see if I make it to Ventura; I'm on a hackintosh and only just managed to update to Monterey last week after 7 straight years on High Sierra 😅

[jane-e]

@J Gwaltney 

I  asked that question three days ago in this thread:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/eraser-tool-not-erasing-everything-in...

Changing my cursor in System Prefs has fixed it:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/basic-troubleshooting.html

Also, I've sent you a PM, as I know someone with your first initial and last name who is a Photoshop pro.

Jane

[J Gwaltney]

Hi Jane. Not sure how to access PMs here, but will keep looking. Yes, Photoshop still had the ability to drive me crazy - more love than hate, though. xoxo Joy

[jane-e]

 @J Gwaltney 

Oh, good you've signed your name — I knew it was you, Joy!

In the upper right corner there is an envelope, bell, and your avatar. Click the envelope. There should be a "1 unread" next to it. Barb and Mike are also ACPs here and you should be, too!

xoxo,

Jane