Eyedropper changes current shape colour

[default5w4heblekm6h]

Hello

Why, if the current selected layer is a shape, does using the eyedropper change the colour of that shape?

I assume this is some well-meaning function. How can I turn it off please? I want the eyedropper simply to load a colour, not change the colour of anything.

[Semaphoric · Accepted solution]

Make sure the Shape layer is not active when you use the Eyedropper.

[default5w4heblekm6h]

Well, yeah.  But I shouldn't have to. I should be able to say that's not the way I want to use the eyedropper, I want to use it like I did before Adobe changed it .... for some reason. There should be a setting attached to the eyedropper.

[Lumigraphics · Accepted solution]

But that's HOW you change a shape's color, you have to use either a swatch or sampled color.

[NB, colourmanagement]

@Lumigraphics "But that's HOW you change a shape's color, you have to use either a swatch or sampled color."

right - so folks can see the thought process - the eyedropper is "dropping" colour into the shape - rather than picking it up.

Like a real eyedropper, it can pick up/sample and deposit it's contents. 

I hope this helps
neil barstow, colourmanagement net - adobe forum volunteer - co-author: 'getting colour right'
google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

[default5w4heblekm6h]

Yes. But. I can colour the shape if I want to by other means, can't I. And I am used to doing so.

The way it is now, I can't freely use the eyedropper for my own purposes, for whatever my next process is going to be, without automatically dropping colour into the shape, just because the shape layer happens to be selected.

My point is, it was not always this way in Photoshop, it's been changed at some point to be 'helpful', and I think I should be able to choose whether or not the eyedropper functions this way.

Anyway I wish I could close the thread, this is always how it goes.

[Jeff Arola]

Looks like a possible bug to me.

Doesn't do that in Photoshop 2023 and older versions.

In Photoshop 2024, not only does using the eyedropper change the color of the shape, but if one has a gradient or pattern as the fill, using the eyedropper changes the fill back to the color being sampled.

[default5w4heblekm6h]

Thank you Jeff.

It's nice to have a genuine issue taken seriously, rather than LEGENDS assuming you're an idiot and marking their own non-answers correct. Cheers!

[MyWebMaestro]

This just started happening to me and it's frustrating as all get out. It never used to, and it means having to add steps to my work flow to prevent it from happening. In the past, I'd double click a shape layer and then select a color to change the shape's color. But when I JUST use the eyedropper tool, it's to get a color selected. It shouldn't be changing anything but the selection by default. And I can't find any options for disabling this "new helpful feature". 

[Larry29731486lwom]

This just started happening to me out of the blue today as well. No recent app updates or anything. Since the beginning of shape layers you could freely use the eye dropper to pick a color in preparation for another step, and not have to worry about whatever layer you happen to have selected. Now I've got shapes randomly changing colors all the time, often without me noticing!

[Claire H.]

Hi @Larry29731486lwom, Thanks for reaching out! To better help you with this issue, we would like a few more details. Can you send your system info, a screen recording of your issue, and a numbered list of the exact steps needed to replicate the issue? You can find your system info by going to Help > System Info, copying and pasting it into a text file, and attaching it here. Thanks! ^CH

[default5w4heblekm6h]

The usual cop-out. Give us your mother's maiden name and sock colour.

This is an issue in your expensive software, it is not 'Solved', investigate and fix it.

[ExUSA]

Asking for info is the first step in an investigation.

[Larry29731486lwom]

Hello, system info attached.

I’m not able to create a recording but the steps to recreate are straightforward. Open or create a new document that includes any type of image. Create or select a vector shape layer. Switch to the eyedropper tool either by command or clicking in the tool bar. Then click anywhere in the document outside of the shape layer. The result will be the shape layer adopting the color you clicked on with the eyedropper.

No other layer type or object has this behavior unless specifically invoking a color changing mode, which is how shape layers used to be.

[ExUSA]

It looks like if a shape layer is active, clicking with the eyedropper will always change the shape fill color. This happens whether the shape itself is selected. The workarounds are to activate a different layer or lock the shape layer.

So the question is, bug or as-designed?

[Aleke]

Hi @ExUSA, @Larry29731486lwom, @default5w4heblekm6h, and everyone else who’s noticed this behavior.

I came across this thread and checked in with the software team to see if this was expected behavior. They confirmed that it is. We really appreciate you flagging this and sharing your feedback. It’s always valuable.

If you have a moment, feel free to visit our Ideas board to see if there’s already a suggestion related to this. You can upvote existing posts or create a new one if you don’t see your idea listed. The team regularly reviews these and considers them for future updates based on community interest.

Thanks again!

Alek