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?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

OK, seems to be connected to the existence of a Work Path … if one  exists the Pen Tool seems to behave as intended.  

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

There always has to be one attack in every thread. 

[c.pfaffenbichler]

First off: I deny any such obsession. 

I know that I have made mistakes in my own work sometimes. 

Luckily those mistakes usually don’t affect as many people as when some individual or team at Adobe makes a comparable blunder within the framework of their jobs. 

So I don’t want to criticize those individuals too harshly just for making mistakes. 

Whether those mistakes are addressed in a timely fashion is naturally another matter. 

And there is another point:

The people who process and assess the Reports and Requests from this site are in all likelihood neither the programming staff that might have introduced/overlooked a bug nor the managing staff that made allocation or strategic decisions that might have contributed to the problems. 

Through the »miracle« of division of labour it seems one is hardly likely to ever directly address the actual person/s one might like to criticise here – so it seems better to try and keep polite …  

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

@christoph_pfaffenbichler

why are you so obsessed with defending adobe; a company that doesn't know or care that you exist. to them you are nothing but a source of money.  

[PECourtejoie]

Hi, I removed the accepted answer as it is a workaround, while the current version seems to have a bug that might need to be addressed.

[David_Jacklin]

Hi Christoph. Thanks for answering all the points in my call for help. I have installed the previous version of PS and completed the task I was working on successfully. I very much appreciate your help. Dave

[FeedbackCommunityMember]

@sam2586 I'm trying to downgrade to the last version, but when I click on the 3 dots like you said, I only have the option to uninstall. Do you know of another way I can downgrade? I need to use my pen tool for a project this week. 😩

[beatrice shimizu]

Same thing for me.  The pen won't create a path, but keeps making a shape.  It's really odd because I've been using the pen tool in Photoshop for years, and I am updated to the latest version.  I'm going to go to previous version...I'm frustrated

[beatrice shimizu]

Yes, I updated.  It didn't correct the problem.

[J453]

@beatrice shimizu Is this pop-up set to Path or Shape? If Shape, set it to Path.

[Bobby Henderson]

Just like the subject line says, I've run into what looks like a serious bug in Photoshop 22.3.0. When I try to draw a path using the Pen Tool no path is displayed at all when it is drawn. The anchor points are the only thing showing up visible. I've rebooted my computer system and that hasn't fixed the issue. This glitch makes the Pen Tool worthless while the bug persists.

[Bobby Henderson]

Follow up post: I launched a new document and tried the pen tool there. It worked properly. Then I went back to my previous layout and it started working properly there too. Edit: the behavior is intermittent. Sometimes the paths will draw properly. But then it goes back to not drawing paths at all. When I zoom in tight the buggy behavior returns.

Another observation: If I start drawing a fresh "work path" it will draw out properly. But if I double click on the Work Path in the Paths Palette to "save" it any new paths being drawn lay down without any paths, just anchor points. This is definitely a bug.

[jane-e]

Hi @Bobby Henderson 

This bug has been reported to Adobe. You can add your comments to the feedback forum where the product developers will see them:

https://feedback.photoshop.com/conversations/photoshop/photoshop-2230-pen-tool-not-working-as-it-sho...

The workaround is to create a work path and name it, or return to 22.2 using the CC app.

~ Jane

[Bobby Henderson]

I'm sort of glad to find I'm not the only one running into the issue. Hopefully the development team will have a fix released soon. For now, I guess I have to leave a dummy Work Path present in the paths palette to get other named/saved paths to behave properly.

[jane-e]

You're welcome, @Bobby Henderson. We are hoping it is fixed in the next patch.

~ Jane

[tanyap50096411]

I have noticed the same issue recently. I find that restarting Photoshop usually helps. It certainly is a frustrating bug.

[edgrimley]

It seems that Adobe would test their products more thoroughly before release and update, but I suppose it's more profitable to use the free Beta testers (aka the paid subscribers) to locate any issues.

[raku7]

Having the same issue. Already wasted 2 hours on it. Please fix.

[Bobby Henderson]

I was hoping the maintenance update Adobe released yesterday would address the problem. Unfortunately it has not. It seems the only easy workaround is making sure a Work Path is present in the Paths Palette in addition to any other named paths there.

[the-naikan]

May 4 2021 and I'm having the same issue...

[D M5FED]

Me too- When is this going to be resolved? Absolute nightmare and defeats the object of using the pen tool! 

Trying to cut out products blind. 

[jane-e]

---

@D M5FED wrote:

Me too- When is this going to be resolved?

---

It was resolved three months ago in Photoshop 22.4. See details here:

https://feedback.photoshop.com/conversations/photoshop/photoshop-2230-pen-tool-not-working-as-it-sho...

~ Jane

[scotti16514344]

Community Guidelines: "Be kind and respectful, give credit to the original source of content, and search for duplicates before posting." Honestly, I can't think of a kind and respectful way of expressing my frustration with the rolling blackouts of tools that have worked for a decade. Or the reversal of tool hot keys. Or any number of work impeding events since CC launched. I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, and need to actually have Pshop work. 

[jane-e]

Hi @scotti16514344 

What version are you using? To find out:

• Mac: Photoshop menu > About Photoshop
• Win: Help > About Photoshop

This has been fixed and you may need to update.

~ Jane

[default2yf2503bayit]

Hi, I am using the latest version and have just started having this issue.