P: Pen Tool Not Working as it should

[David_Jacklin]

I have just updated Photoshop to v22.3 (10 March 2021). When I try to use the Pen Tool it puts the nodes in but doesn't create a linking line. I have closed everything and re-started my PC but the error still there. I've been trying to find a way to report this to Adobe but this is the only feedback area I can find. I have been using Photoshop for over 20 years and using the Pen Tool all that time. I need to complete a job but I'm now stuck as I need this tool.

Can I uninstall this update?

Anyone else having this problem?

Do Adobe monitor this feed?

[ktk1959]

Sorry just saw the link.

[ktk1959]

Where did you get 22.4 from?

[Todd Shaner]

PS 22.4 update fixes the issue on my Windows 10 system. Thank you!

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

Thanks for the tip Kerry. It's a good workaround. 🙂

I do hope that Adobe will fix it, however, so it functions without a workaround as it did in past versions.

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

If you maintain a work path in the path list, you can work on other paths normally. I've gotten in the habit of just quickly creating a work path by clicking in the image once or twice with the pen tool, leaving that work path as is, and then creating new paths via + on the path palette, and working those normally.  

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Indeed, it is the PRESENCE of a Work Path that makes the difference, not whether you work on it. 

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

Yes, but you only need to create this path and leave it it in the path list. As long as there is a work path present, all other paths will behave normally.

[joyfer]

Like I’ve said before I think it’s amazing a work around was figured out. For the psd work I do there’s not enough new bells and whistles in the new version to justify using a product that is flawed. I don’t want to give Adobe the satisfaction downloading software that doesn’t work. 

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

Reverting is entirely unnecessary, the simple workaround has been posted many times in this thread. Just keep a working path in the path list and the pen tool behaves normally. 

[joyfer]

*pooya_rastin  go back to version 22.2 and it'll function like it was intended. It's mind boggling that it has gone on this long and still not fixed. Pretty disappointing. 

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

Upgraded to Photoshop 12.3.1 and now I'm having another problem. If I work on a file for a while then try to save it as PSD, the application freezes. I have to force quit and lose the work I've done. Have to start saving immediately at start of project to protect the work. Anyone else seeing this problem?

[zebra]

Hi Keith, thanks for offering some ideas. I checked in and all the nodes for all the paths are connected in PS 20 and in PS 21 -- I am testing this out for the forum on a work path just to be sure. In PS 21, I did what you suggested. Drew a larger shape, then made a new path layer, then went back to the work path and added a smaller inner shape. deflected the layer, reselected the layer and hit the marque selection button --- only now the larger circle is the only one with the marque selection and there is no smaller path punch out. I did this repeatedly changing the path drop down menu for the pen tool intersect option: Always only the larger outer shape now getting ht marquee. It is so very odd.

But I just found a very long way to get what I wanted. With the pen tool selected, and the pen layer also selected, in photoshop on a new layer I clicked the SHAPE button in the top bar for the pen tool characteristics. That gave me a shape. made of the two paths. In the drop down I have selected "Exclude Overlapping Shapes". Now back to the Path palette and there is a shape path. like I want. In my documents layers panel I have a shape that when I command click the thumbnail I get a selection (made from the vector mask.. if I want to make a selection or a regular non vector mask) A bit of a long way around for something photoshop used to just do with a couple clicks.

And now to share with the group that I just may be a numbskull... I decided to reset the pen tool. RESET. Went and made the larger path with a smaller path inside - clicked the marquee tool.... And it worked - I had a selection of the larger path and the smaller path punched out of the inside... a "donut" shape. Sorry folks. 

** USER ERROR**. HOWEVER - the pen tool reset did not correct the non connecting nodes problem. That still exists when making a path  on a layer that is NOT a work path. 

So we learned something here 🙂

[KeithatStorm]

This sounds like a different description of the same problem. I think if you check your inner circle the nodes will not be joined. The workaround is the same; create a new unsaved path, do not save it, then go back to your saved path to draw the inner circle.

[KeithatStorm]

I agree. It is a bug. It needs fixing Adobe.

[AAArgyrou]

Oh, thank you!!

Have a great day!

[KeithatStorm]

Yes, that's the problem. The workaround is to create an unsaved path and leave it unsaved, then go back to your saved path and continue to work on it. That worked for me.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

The work-around for this acknowledged bug is to keep a Work Path while working on named Paths. 

That the Adobe representative might not have known that this bug has been acknowledged for months seems unfortunate. 

[KeithatStorm]

Thank you. That seems to work okay.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

You can either use the work-around (keep a Work Path while working on named Paths) or revert to Photoshop 22. 

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Just keep a Work Path and you can work on named Paths as expected. 

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

You just need to make a work path by creating a couple of points, and leave that work path in the path list, no need for copying and pasting. As long as there is a work path in the path list, the pen tool behaves normally.

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

The workaround is to create a work path, and leave that work path in the path list. You can then create new paths with +, and name them what you like and work on them normally.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

No need for coping into the Work Path, just keep a Work Path – one PathPoint is sufficient. 

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

You are correct. I copied old Path into a new Working Path to get pen tool working again. Adobe needs a button converting paths back to working paths.

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

The workaround is to create a work path, and leave that work path in the path list. You can then create new paths with +, and name them what you like and work on them normally.