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A
Anonymous
June 25, 2021
Question

Everything Snaps. Why is "Snapping to Pixel Grid" always on?

  • June 25, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 8886 views

Photoshop Version 22.4.2 Release - Mac OS 11.4.

 

I am experiencing the problem of shapes and layer content ALWAYS snapping to the pixel grid. 

 

VIDEO of what I experience is here. 

 

 

My Preference in Tools is turned off (see images and gif below).

 

 

 

 

And still, vector shapes will all snap in 1px increments when I use the move tool, or the path selection tool, or the direct selection tool. Doesn't matter - everything SNAPS. 

What am I missing? Thank you!

 

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

D Fosse
Community Expert
D FosseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 25, 2021

Snap to grid is not the same as snap to pixel grid. Two different things!

 

Photoshop is a pixel editor and vector elements will obviously be rendered and output as pixels. So snap to pixel grid is the natural and logical behavior. However, you can turn it off, and you do it as Michael says, by unchecking "snap vector tools and transforms to pixel grid". Then the vector elements will be resampled.

 

There is no need to reset preferences.

    A
    Anonymous
    June 26, 2021

    Your answer helped me realize something.

     

    I wanted to be able to move entire vector shapes, OR to select two or more points at a time using the Direct Selection tool, and place them with sub-pixel accuracy. Is this possible? 

     

    As it is now, I am able to move ONLY a single point of a vector shape using the Direct Selection tool, when the "snap vector tools and transforms to pixel grid."  

     

    I do understand that anti-aliasing occurs when the preference is unchecked, and that is not the same as Snapping to Guides. 

     

    A
    Anonymous
    June 26, 2021

    I should have known, but this is what I learned here - thanks everyone for your help.

     

    After unchecking the Preference "Snap Vector Tools and Transforms to Pixel Grid," 

    These are the two key things I observed.

    1. The Move and the Path Selection tools are still constrained to move the path/shape full pixels.
      Dragging the shape still moves in increments of full pixels - nudging with arrow keys will also do the same.
    2. The key is to use the Direct Selection tool, AND then nudge the path into place using the arrow keys.
      This will move the points to sub-pixel placements - the amount of movement depends upon the Zoom level. So if you're zoomed in very closely, the arrow nudge moves the paths very very subtly - and you can see the anti-aliasing change as you do so.

     

     

     

     

     

     

      Michael Bullo
      Community Expert
      Michael BulloCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 25, 2021

      I get the snapping to the pixel grid like you do. However, as soon as I turn off "Snap Vector Tools and Transforms to Pixel Grid" in the Preferneces the snapping stops. No restarting of Photoshop required.

       

      I agree with @Sahil.Chawla and suggest try resetting the preferences.

        A
        Anonymous
        June 26, 2021

        Thanks for your help. I wanted to be able to move entire vector shapes, OR to select two or more points at a time using the Direct Selection tool, and place them with sub-pixel accuracy. Is this possible? 

         

        As it is now, I am able to move ONLY a single point of a vector shape using the Direct Selection tool, when the "snap vector tools and transforms to pixel grid."  

         

        I have reset preferences, but the same behavior persists. 

          Michael Bullo
          Community Expert
          Michael BulloCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          June 26, 2021

          It's a cheeky question but... any chance you could be building this in Illustrator? 🙂

          Sahil.Chawla
          Adobe Employee
          Sahil.Chawla
          Adobe Employee
          June 25, 2021

          Hi there,

          Sorry to hear about everything snapping to the grid in Photoshop. Could you please try resetting the preferences of Photoshop and let us know if it helps? 

          https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

           

          Note: Make sure that you back up all your custom presets, brushes & actions before restoring Photoshop's preferences. https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preset-migration.html

           

          Regards,
          Sahil

            A
            Anonymous
            June 26, 2021

            I did reset preferences but the same behavior persists. I am able to move single points of vector shapes to sub-pixel accuracy, however when I select an entire shape - OR- more than one point of a shape, the movement is "locking" or "snapping" to full pixel movement.

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