Photoshop 2018 changes tools spontaneously

[Antonín Mika]

Hi, in version CC 2018 Photoshop mysteriously changes tools. E.g. when I press square bracket for change size of brush, brush tool will change to e.g. hand tool etc. Tools are changing when I press keys: "[", "]", "0-9", "H" and more. It's very annoying because it's hapening very often...

Do you have the same problem? Is there any solution please?

PS: Sorry for my English.

PPS: My Photoshop version: 19.0 20171103.r.190 2017/11/03: 1143799  x64

[mandryk]

yes I get this behavior as well.....It's super annoying.  It happens to me when using the brush tool, hitting the bracket key will select a different tool...sometimes..it's really unpredictable.  Add to that the laggy performance of cc2018 and it's very frustrating to work in this program. 

[JJMack]

Gizzer  wrote

Hi, in version CC 2018 Photoshop mysteriously changes tools. E.g. when I press square bracket for change size of brush, brush tool will change to e.g. hand tool etc. Tools are changing when I press keys: "[", "]", "0-9", "H" and more. It's very annoying because it's hapening very often...

The bracket keys [] when the Photoshop brush tool is active should only change the tip size or if the shift key is also use the brush hardness is changed instead of size.  The numeric keys 0-9 should change the brush opacity.   H if taped should switch to the hand tool.  If the h key is instead held down  the bush tool will be changed the the  hand tool however when you release the h key the active tool will be the brush tool again.

If the  bracket keys and numeic key change tools  on you when the brush tool is active you have a problem on you machine that I do not have on my Windows  10 machine with CS6, CC 2014 and CC 2018.   H will switch to the hand tool that the Hand tool's shortcut.

[mandryk]

agrees, that's how things should work.  I'll see if i can upload some video capture of the problem in action. 

[JJMack]

It may be more helpful if you post information about your  Hardware , softer and Photoshop add-ons.  I do not have your problem on my Windows 10 workstations with Photoshop CC 2018 and the add-ons I have install into Photoshop.  I also have a Wacom Intuos Pro small,  and logictech G502 mouse and G13 keypad. I have even programmed the bracket keys into my Wacom configuration and gamming mouse they work correctly from the keyboard the wacom tablet and from the mouse.

[Antonín Mika]

Hi, I know how it works... I use Windows 10 Home 64-bit. Older versions of Photoshop (2017, 2015...) work correctly. In Ps CC 2018 as Mandryk wrote: "It happens to me when using the brush tool, hitting the bracket key will select a different tool...sometimes..it's really unpredictable". But in my version it happens in more situations, not only with brackets. I almost cant work with this problem...

This si my HW:

Addons and plugins:

- Pexels

- PixelSquid

- Nik Collection

- PortraitPro Studio 15

Keyboard Logitech G15

Mouse Logitech G5 Laser Mouse

Tablet Wacom Intuos Pro S

[Norman Sanders]

Until the square-bracket problem is solved, consider the Mac shortcut:

Cmd+Opt horizontal drag changes brush size

Cmd+Opt vertical drag changes brush hardness

[Antonín Mika]

Thank you, I know this shortcut, but the problem is not only with brackets and brush...

[mandryk]

Gizzer, what build of windows are you using?  I'm noticing a lot of weirdness (not just with photoshop) with build 1709.  I get lots of random slowdowns and latency in general....thinking about doing a reset of windows and see if that helps.  To find out your build, use windows key+R, then type:  winver

[mandryk]

btw, my specs are almost identical to Gizzer, but i run a 1080. 

[Antonín Mika]

I have Windows version 1709 too and build 16299.192 but I don't see any other problems on my PC. Just Photoshop CC 2018.

[mandryk]

ok here is a small clip showing the bug in action.  So, I'm painting, (resizing using the other key combo) then hit the bracket key....you can see it switch to the eyedropper.  I then do a test while back using the brush tool, hit H, and again it selects the eyedropper.

[Antonín Mika]

Yes, that's it... Thank you for making video. This problem is quite difficult to describe.

[mandryk]

do you have a  PSUserConfig.txt file?  Anything in it?  (under C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CC 2018\Adobe Photoshop CC 2018 Settings)

[Antonín Mika]

No, I don't. Here is a screen of the folder:

[mandryk]

ok, just curious....sometimes there are custom settings in there per user that can really affect PS.   Anyways, I got pretty frustrated trying to troubleshoot this issue, so I ended up reinstalling windows and Photoshop - problem solved.  Pretty drastic, but I was at my wits end.

[Antonín Mika]

I reinstalled Photoshop too (no effect), but I really didn't want to reinstall the whole Windows... Well, it's the only way apparently. Thank you very much for sharing your solution. I really hope that it will work for me too!

[JJMack]

I have done more testing on my Window 10 Pro Photoshop CC 2018 system.  I have not been able to get the bracket  and numeric shortcuts keys to fail and switch tools from the brush.  However I have made the H key when held and released fail to switch back to the brush tool.

I believe you have the problem you say you have.    It may be a window of opportunity bug.  That is a timing thing it like someone keeps opening and shutting a window whet the time is open is very short.  If you  jump at the right moment  you get in and the tool changes.  I'm also not a painter so I'm most likely not using Photoshop Brushes as much as you do.  Is there any particular brush that seems more likely to have this problem or its just a random thing.

[Antonín Mika]

I just installed a new update and the problem is resolved! I'm so happy...

Thank you all for trying to help.

[priyankas72354167]

Hi

Please try to reset the preference of the tools in Photoshop.

Right click on the tool at the top left

Reset all tools

Also reset the photoshop preferences.

Restart Photoshop.

[jobudha]

just customize each tool you want and try on the image when it comes back to the tool menu and so it no longer changes for the other tools

[александрс26220873]

try to use this Tools randomly change to previously used tools

[jaydude-wb]

That kind of behaviour is back in 23.5.1

Press B for Brush and in a second it switches autonoously to the move Tool! Very annoying.

[Jarod5FCB · Accepted solution]

Go to "Preferences/Tools/Spring Loaded Tool.." and uncheck it.  This has plagued me for years and even forced me to buy a new PC for no reason.  Worst default feature ever.  Finally figured it out 

[jamesm4913095]

Why have I been putting up with this issue for so long??? Thanks so much. This works a treat!