Basic shape tools defaults

I'm using Illustrator CS4. After changing the number of points on the star and so forth, using the shortcut keys -- how do I get the basic shape tools to go back to their default settings? (In previous versions I was able to do that by clicking on the page with a basic shape tool, typing in the default settings, and from then on, the tool drew shapes at the default. This doesn't seem to work any more.)

Normally the tools are back to their standard settings after restarting Illy and you don't need to trash the prefs. But still the need to restart ...

Similar Messages

How do I get a basic shape tool (not live shape) in Photoshop CC 2014?

I seldom use shape tools, but today I needed a rectangle. I clicked on the rectangle tool expecting what I'd used before. Instead I got a live shape, which I'm sure is useful when I have time to learn how to use it. Today I don't. For now I simply need the old basic shape tool to draw a rectangle in my canvas. How can I get to it?

Yes when you left click, don't drag and the current tool is one of the shape tools other then the line shape tool. You get one of the ridiculous shape dialog. So don't just click always also drag out the shape.
When I open PS CC I create a new file, select the rectangle tool, and left click-drag to get a box of whatever size I drag.
When I open PS CC 2014 I create a new file, select the rectangle tool, and left click-drag. A few days ago that was creating a box of random size, anywhere from 32000 pixels to a side up to 100000 pixels per side and placing it with the upper left corner in the middle of the screen. Today when I do it, it still creates a rectangle (105264 x 86400) but what shows on screen is coincident with and constrained by the size of the canvas. I thought perhaps since I had many things open, I was encountering peculiarities due to memory issues. However I closed most things, and the behavior did not change.
I'm wondering if there is a setting that I have different between the two versions?

Why can't I use the Basic brush tool?

I'm learning the ropes of drawing in Illustrator and I've fallen at the first hurdle. Why can't I use the Basic brush tool? Whenever I select the brush tool and use the 'Basic' brush type, the cursor turns into a hashed circle indicating I can't draw. If I load other brushes, I can draw with other brush types, but I can't use the Basic one. If I select the Basic brush when I have other brushes loaded and try to draw with it, it always defaults to a different brush! I don't understand why.
On a related matter, I'm also having trouble changing brush size. I know that using the [ and ] keys changes brush size, but I have no idea what the values are. If I try this in Photoshop, I can see the brush size in the Options bar, but in Illustrator it doesn't appear anywhere! Not in the Brushes palette, the Stroke palette or the Appearance palette. Where can I see the brush size?

Glitcher,
The following is a general list of things you may try when the issue is not in a specific file (you may have tried/done some of them already); 1) and 2) are the easy ones for temporary strangenesses, and 3) and 4) are specifically aimed at possibly corrupt preferences); 5) is a list in itself, and 6) is the last resort.
1) Close down Illy and open again;
2) Restart the computer (you may do that up to 3 times);
3) Close down Illy and press Ctrl+Alt+Shift/Cmd+Option+Shift during startup (easy but irreversible);
4) Move the folder (follow the link with that name) with Illy closed (more tedious but also more thorough and reversible);
5) Look through and try out the relevant among the Other options (follow the link with that name, Item 7) is a list of usual suspects among other applications that may disturb and confuse Illy, Item 15) applies to CC, CS6, and maybe CS5);
Even more seriously, you may:
6) Uninstall, run the Cleaner Tool (if you have CS3/CS4/CS5/CS6/CC), and reinstall.
http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html

2 Questions: Basic Shape / Go to Master Page

Hi. My questions revolve around InDesign CS4 for Mac.
Specs: PowerMac G5, 1.8Ghz, 4GB ram, 435GB hd, OSX 10.5.8, IDCS4, Suitcase Fusion 2 (if any of that matters).
I have a basic shape question that is perplexing me. I'm a 12 year QuarkXPress user who converted to ID CS4 last year by choice (to gain the experience under employ) so there are things here and there that cause me confusion.
In any case my question is this. How can I convert a rectangle frame to a perfect square frame?
Specifically, if I drop in an image, and the frame is rectangular how can I make it a perfect square using keyboard shortcuts? I realize I can create a new frame and constrain proportions as I draw it to get a perfect square, then cut and then paste the image into that, or I can transform the frame by entering equal values in the transform panel or control palette. Which would answer my question if this was not something XPress can do effortlessly.
If you draw a shape (box) in XPress and then hold down the SHIFT key XPress will immediately transform the shape into either a perfect square or circle depending on which tool you are using. Release and you have a perfect square or circle. But you cannot seem to do this in ID after you have already drawn an rectangle?
Is there any way around this that does not involve multiple keystrokes or drawing a new frame?
Second question. Anyway to go direct to master pages without having to use CMD+J and then enter the MP letter? In XPress OPTN+F10 will take you directly there and directly back.
P.S. Not trying to start an XPress/ID discussion. Just trying to learn this program and XPress is the only reference I have.
Thanks for any advice/tips in advance.

Keyboard shortcut for these operation , you already know the standard method , but if you want some kind of one step procedure then scripting can help.
Post your query on the Indesign scripting forums , someone may come up with the script to select the master page and change the rectangle to square.
and you can define the keyboard shortcut to run this scripts ,,,one step procedure.

Zoom 100%, Shape Tool Appears on Fraction of Pixel

This has been an issue for a while since the shape tool got a major refactoring and was hoping that this would have been fixed by now, but since it hasn't I want to make sure this issue is known and people are aware.
This used to be default behavior (before CC and CS6):
When you were zoomed out to 100% and used a vector tool (shape tool), you could draw anywhere and the edges would be aligned on pixels by default because if you are zoomed out to 100% you literally cannot click on a fraction of a pixel.
Since there is now the "snap vector tools and transforms to pixel grid" option, yes you can automatically snap to pixels, but you should still be able to have vector tools line up on the pixels when zoomed to 100% and have snap turned off. I do not understand why this change was made.
Article regarding CS4/CS5 in how to align shape tools perfectly: If you have Snap to Pixels turned off, drawing at 100% zoom achieves the same result.
Source: http://bjango.com/articles/roundrect/

You need to file a bug report using https://bugreport.apple.com/ to make sure this is tracked by a specific bug report at Apple.
You will need to convert your Apple ID account into a developer account, but you can sign up for free as a Safari developer here: https://developer.apple.com/devcenter/safari/
Information that will be useful:
A list of all devices and iOS versions that this bug reproduces on.
A list of all devices and iOS versions that this bug does NOT reproduce on.
Attach a (reduced) stand-alone test case to the bug report.
Looking at the web page briefly in Web Inspector from Safari 7.0 on Mavericks (Safari 6.1 on Lion/Mountain Lion would also work), there is a <canvas> element that's position: absolute that is being used as a background for the page. Because this element is positon: absolute, it's put into a layer. And because it's behind all the other content on the page, it puts everything else into a layer as well. As seen on the Safari 6.1/7.0 Web Inspector when loaded in Safari 7.0 for Mavericks:
Layers use a lot of memory, which is why Safari on iOS 7 crashes due to lack of memory when zooming back out--layers must be recreated at each zoom level.
This is still a valid bug, but finding an alternate way to paint the background (using a repeating background image with CSS) would make the page use much less memory-intensive. You can verify that there are fewer layers on the page after changing (or removing) the canvas element, and Safari for iOS should stop crashing on zoom out.

How to make spin tool default

Someone already posted an answer how to make the spin tool default here http://forums.adobe.com/message/1146944#1146944
but my problem is I have absolutely no idea whatsoever to run a script. I tried a few things but they didn't work. Can someone explain this to me as if you'd be explaining it to your grandma? Heck, just walk me through it step-by-step if possible.
I have a deadline in a few days and I'm creating a 3D PDF from a SketchUp model I created and exported into Acrobat 3D. Basically what I need to do is make Acrobat 3D orbit a lot better. I can't send it to the clients the way it is by default. It's a joke. By default it's actually REALLY BAD. I either need the Rotate button removed(which I don't think is possible) or make the spin button default.
On a side note, the camerarotate.js script Adobe provides is horrible... no pan? Come on! Coming from SketchUp where the orbit works so perfect, Acrobat 3D is painful to use at times.
Thanks guys.

Hello Szarky,
-Create a .txt file containing the following line:
runtime.setCurrentTool( runtime.TOOL_NAME_SPIN );
You can change its extension to .js by renaming it (file extensions got to set visible therefore)
-Double click your 3D Annotation with the advanced editing tool (image below)
-Click on edit content
-Attach the Javascript under default script by browsing the .js or .txt file you created
I hope it helps, Chuck

Photoshop CC Vector Shape Fill Defaults issue

For some reason whenever I create a vector shape the default Fill is always Pattern instead of flat color. It used to default to whatever the last style I used in CS6, but for some reason in CC no matter what all shapes I make are default ugly bubble pattern that no one would ever use. It's annoying to have to change the color of every single shape I make and I can't find a way to make it not change back to that pattern every time I make a new shape.
Anyone else have this problem or know how to set what my default shape style is?

It isn't entirely intuitive, but Chris is right, except that it's not "the last thing you used, " instead it's the last setting you changed before drawing a shape. PS will ignore the last setting you used if you change it after creating the shape.
The trick is to change the settings before you draw a new shape. Then PS saves that as the default.
I was pulling my hair out in frustration because I would draw a shape and it would have some rather annoying settings from a couple of weeks ago. I'd change it expecting that it would behave like the Text tool. Where the last settings you used becomes the setting for the next text box you create. But for what ever reason it does not behave as expected. I'm assuming it's because it's inheriting some behavior from Illustrator or where ever the tool was borrowed from.
Either way, change your settings BEFORE drawing the shape and you'll be good.
Thanks, Chris.

Shape tool problems with up/down arrow increments

I use Illustrator CS2 on MacBook Pro 2.5 (2008) with Snow Leopard. When using the shape tool and trying to control it with the up/down arrows to either change the radius of a curve, the number of points to a star, etc., instead of getting of smooth progression it jumps in large increments so that, rather than going from a triangle to a square to a five sided polygon, it will go from a triangle to a six sided polygon to a twelve sided one. The increments are always inconsistent. I basically have to create a shape, and repeat to get the format window and choose the correct parameters.
I tried to change keyboard settings in Mac but can't seem to find anything that would apply. No setting found in Illustrators preferences either.
Has anyone else encounter this problem and be able to fix it?
Thank you in advance.
rxbydesign

I have Intuous 3but I also have a wireless mouse from Apple so that
could be the difference.
Once in a rare while I use the mouse as well.
The mouse and the Tablet live well together and I use the mouse in
Photoshop in case I want to use the shift key to say use the clone
tool to make a clone along a straight path from one point to another.
OOps I goooofed, I understand what you mean now yes it is the tablet and yes i also have the problem like everyone else
it was my mistake.
I don't think I ever used the shape tools this way.
I am not certain I see why one would but then that is just the way I work I guess.

The Adobe Illustrator Shape Tools | CSInsider | Design | Adobe TV

Have you ever wanted to create a star shape or a rectangle with rounded corners in Adobe Illustrator? Rufus Deuchler, Worldwide Design Evangelist at Adobe, shows you how to harness the various shape tools, and the "Flare Tool" to rapidly create basic shapes.
http://adobe.ly/xiRFis

when I press my up and down arrow keys to add sides to the polygon or points to the star the shape changes very quickly and I can't figure out how to change the preferences to make the shape change slower. For example, with the polygon, it goes from a near circle down to a triangle so quickly that I can't make it an octagon or hexagon. Help!

Illustrator shape tool not working properly.

Hello. I am not quite sure how to word this. Whenever I try to use the basic shapes took (ellipse, rectangle, etc), I end up with mutiple shapes. I am trying to draw a circle and instead of one circle, Illustrator creates several. Has anyone encountered this problem before? I need help ASAP.

ravenboo,
Your Tilde key ( ~ ) is stuck, or at least Illy thinks it is. Unless you have a non US keyboard, in which case it is another key. Here are a few known keys on different other keyboards:
UK: ' (just below the @, to the left of Enter, at least in CS6),
Icelandic and German: < (just to the right of Shift),
French (only Mac): £,
Norwegian and Danish: æ (just to the right of L)
If she is wrong and it is unstuck, you may try the list to convince her.
The following is a general list of things you may try when the issue is not in a specific file, and when it is not caused by issues with opening a file from external media, see below. You may have tried/done some of them already; 1) and 2) are the easy ones for temporary strangenesses, and 3) and 4) are specifically aimed at possibly corrupt preferences); 5) is a list in itself, and 6) is the last resort.
If possible/applicable, you should save current artwork first, of course.
1) Close down Illy and open again;
2) Restart the computer (you may do that up to at least 5 times);
3) Close down Illy and press Ctrl+Alt+Shift/Cmd+Option+Shift during startup (easy but irreversible);
4) Move the folder (follow the link with that name) with Illy closed (more tedious but also more thorough and reversible), for CS3 - CC you may find the folder here:
https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/preference-file-location-illustrator.html
5) Look through and try out the relevant among the Other options (follow the link with that name, Item 7) is a list of usual suspects among other applications that may disturb and confuse Illy, Item 15) applies to CC, CS6, and maybe CS5);
Even more seriously, you may:
6) Uninstall (ticking the box to delete the preferences), run the Cleaner Tool (if you have CS3/CS4/CS5/CS6/CC), and reinstall.
http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html

The new shape tool

Hello everyone.
First, thanks a lot for the new shape tool. The stroke options (finally!!!) are great!!!! \o/\o/\o/\o/\o/ (now my Firework Lovers Friends will stop picking up on me for doing vectors in PS)
I just find it to be a little hidden. After the shape layer is created, selecting it while the selection tool is active shows nowhere the Fill and Stroke options. I have selection and alignment options at the top, and the properties panel will show the shape´s masking properties.
In order to change the Fills and Strokes options, I have to change the tool I´m using, either to the Pen tool, or the shape tool, so the top bar will change into Shape options. That´s the same functionality as, lets say, the text tool (it does not show Font and Paragraphs options anywhere when a Text layer is selected with the selection tool. It shows again alignment and selection options above, and "No properties" under the properties panel). But characters have their own panel, so I can leave that one open, and as soon as I select a Text layer with the V tool, I can visualize what font it is, what size, etc just by looking at the Character panel.
As far as I noticed, there´s no "Shape Panel" I can leave opened to see Fill and Stroke options immedially. Wouldn´t it be nice to have one?
Also, maybe that "Properties" panel is underused. Most layer I select fall under the "No properties" category. Maybe the options we get above when changing the type of tool (as when selecting a text layer and chaging to the text tool, or a shape layer and chaging to shape tool), could be displayed there. For me at least makes sense that a text font, size, color, etc fall under "properties". The same for a shape´s Fill and Stroke properties. This way, we´d need to leave only one panel opened to get instant info and ability to change those (instead of having to leave the Character and Shape panel opened, for instance).

Thanks for the feedback. I think you have some good suggestions here, and will pass them on.
Thanks again.
Cheers
Pete

Shape tool compatibility CS6 and lower

Hi there! I'm attaching a document, created in CS6 that is giving me grief when trying to open and use in lower versions. (have created documents for a group of people with various versions)
Have created two rectangle shapes,(white stroke, no fill, shape tool not path) each living on it's own layer, have added ancor points to then delete a portion of the rectangle creating needed opening at the top.
I would like the end user to be able to use his direct selection tool, to be able to increase or decrease the size of the opening as he needs. (imagine if you will, typing a name in the provided opening... different length names need different size openings)
When saved (maximim compatibility on) and opened in CS2 I receive this message: unknown data has been encountered reading layer (layer xxxxx) will be discarded... continue?
The artwork is all still there, but I loose the ability to direct select (ancor points) the shapes. Can move it around as a whole, but that wasn''t the perk.
Any thoughts? link following.....
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/60435546/Template%20test%20CS5%20-%20CS6.psd

Something like this done in photoshop cs5 using a stroke layer syle instead of the cs6 shape stroke and a
vector mask on the group to substitute for editing paths on the shape layers.
Also the saved from cs5 and works back to photoshop 6

Shape Tool

Photoshop Elements 3. I've been working in layouts. I'm very new. First off, what is the arrow shape tool used for??? I was creating a layout. A layer had a rectangle shape (it's a mat for a photo, filled with a salmon color)--I clicked on the rectangle shape tool. It brought up window in upper right hand corner. It showed the color of the background, Styles and the Word "Simplify". It was grayed out. Can I apply from this area? I couldn't figure that out? I ended up going to the Layers, Styles, and Effects Pallette and choosing from that area. Is there a way to keep the mat the same color but apply a style? For instance, if I wanted to keep the color salmon and I chose the style cactus. When I tried cactus it changed to the green or colors within the style pallette.

Terri G, No you don't necessarily have to use a clipping mask. It depends on what you are doing. Here's one way: Open image. Create a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer over your image. (Do this from the layers palette not the from the menu bar). To make your image black and white, move the Saturation slider to -100 and click okay. Change the Hue/Saturation layer's blend mode to Color blend mode. To add back color, make sure the adjustment layer is active...highlighted in the layers palette. Use black paint on this layer to reveal the original color of the flower...or whatever. You can use a paintbrush or any selection tool to select then fill your selection with black. If you reveal too much of the original image, use white paint to cover it back up. Hard edge brushes produce a sharp edge whereas soft brushes produce a feather. Personally, I like to use a hard brush then apply Gaussian blur to the mask to feather the selection. FWIW, the reason I told you not to use Hue/Saturation from the menu is that you don't get an adjustment layer with mask via this route. Masking is a bit like using a stencil. As for the clipping mask, it's a bit like throwing a table cloth over a table. It only covers were the table exists. Try this: Make a new document. Drag a custom shape...any shape will do. Create a pattern adjustment layer over your shape...any pattern will do. With the pattern layer highlighted, press Control G (or Layer<Group with Previous if you prefer the menu bar). You should see the pattern only where your shape is. Now, add a blank layer at the top of the stack and paint a streak on it. With the layer with paint stroke highlighted press Control G. You should now see your paint stroke confined to where your original shape exists. Now, go back to your shape layer. Add a paint stroke to it. (Okay, the simplify request). You'll see that as you changed the shape the other layers within the clipping group followed suit. Now, erase some of the shape layer. Again, note that the other layers within the clipping group follow suit. Terri

My Shape tool, which used to be in the left toolbar has disappeared. How do I get it back?

I have PSE9 and have used PSE to edit screen shots. Some screenshots have required that I place an arrow to point to a specific location. I have used the shape tool for this purpose. For some reason, the shape tool has disappeared and I cannot figure out how to get it back. How can I restore the shape tool to the toolbar?

Press U on the keyboard to cycle through nested tools, and you should see it.

How do I turn off the One-Click Shape Tool Popup?

This has been frustrating me since I upgraded....
So lately I've been having to make faux pixel art for work. I've been using the shape tool and a grid to achieve the look.The process used to be painless, but with this new One-Click Shape Tool popup, it's driving me nuts!!!!
I'm using a simple rectangle tool which in the settings I set to a FIXED SIZE of 18px by 18 px, so every time I draw a square it snaps to that size. Great! The issue is with this new PS6/CC "improvement" if I don't drag the mouse and instead click while making the shape, I get this ANNOYING popup. It asks to input the height and width and has a check box to draw the shape from the center.
Now, since I'm making pixel art, I'm dropping several 18 by 18 shapes a second... you can imagine how often this STUPID popup interrupts my flow. PLEASE tell me there is a way to turn this off. WHY would it ask for dimensions when I already locked the size in the shape options. *sob* Please help me....

It's not a bug though. This was a feature added to Photoshop 6/CC, I'm just wondering if there is a way to turn it off.
It's very easy to reproduce this feature. Have any shape tool selected (rectangle, ellipse, polygon, etc) and click on the canvas without moving the mouse. That's it.
It's just frustrating to get this popup when I already have it set to fixed size.

Basic shape tools defaults

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