Painting on MacBook Pro track pad slips

[melissapiccone]

I ignore my own advice and use my trackpad on my computer - I'm too lazy to switch computers or grab my wacom. While painting in photoshop - usually on a mask - it always "slips". It doesn't take long, all of a sudden my cursor zips across the screen creating a straight line way outside of what I'm painting. It's annoying! Is it a setting I can change? I've looked in the system prefs and don't see anything. 

[gener7 · Accepted solution]

A few thoughts:

In Trackpad Preferences, I keep the Trackpad speed slider all the way to "Slow" and uncheck any gestures I don't use.

If you suspect hardware issue with the trackpad, check his guide:

https://techvilleonline.com/curse-of-the-crazy-cursor-what-to-do-if-your-mac-cursor-keeps-jumping-ar...

In Photoshop, see if these help. Resetting Preferences might be an idea even though I hate having to restore setttings and custom workspaces. It might just clear up the problem.

Lock Layer position. You can still paint.

In Photoshop Preferences > Tools, I uncheck these, and if I can work at less than "fit to screen", I check "Overscroll" on, and it holds the image in place.

[melissapiccone]

The slow speed is making me crazy for everything else but I'll give it a shot. 

[gener7]

Ok.  I have a mid 2012 MBP and don't seem to notice this, Melissa. I'm running MacOS Catalina.

Another thing: Under Security & Privacy > Accessibilty, be sure Photoshop 2021 is on the list and checked on.

If resetting the nvram or Preferences does not help, You may want to check with Apple if you have time.

[melissapiccone]

The slower tracking speed seems to be working - I only spent a few minutes trying it out, but it's didn't jump at all. If it starts up again, I'll reset the nvram. 

[gener7]

Good to hear that you are getting results. If the slow speed is distracting, try bumping up the tracking speed until you get the "jump" again.

Gene

[gener7]

While researching another problem, I came upon this subject, which has a few more ideas:

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/how-to-diagnose-the-phantom-cursor-issue-on-your-mac.ht...