Direct Selection Tool - Shape Layers in Photoshop CC Issue

I just upgraded to CC and the first major road block is the new way the direct selection tool works. In my CS6 work flow I would use the direct selection tool to jump between shape layers within the document layer. Then once the correct shape was selected I would click drag select the anchor points I want to adjust. This seems to be impossible now in CC. You can still jump between shape layers but you have to be in "All-Layers" which really hurts when I want to click drag to select specific anchor points because it selects all shapes below it. And with Active-layer selected you can't jump between shape layers with the tool but you can click drag select anchors with out selecting and shapes below the layer. The basically cut functionality right down the middle…
Below I made a very simple video showing the issue (CS6 = first PSD and CC = 2nd PSD)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pjlvwzmli9ihczd/CCProblemBroadband.m4v
As you can see in CS6 I could fly between layers and adjust everything with out ever changing to another tool or jumping to the layers window… I can no longer do that in CC with out having the dumb issue of also selecting the layers below it, which I don't find useful 99% of the time. Is there a setting to make this work like it did in CS4-CS6???? In my line of work, we work a lot with shape layers and this is causing more time to my work day.
Thanks

1000x this. My designs are 100% vector shapes, so if Adobe have changed this core behavior intentionally, they’ve just made my life a lot more difficult.
We should be able to use the Direct Selection Tool to select a shape layer (similar to how the Move Tool has done) by clicking on any visible pixel. But then we should be able to freely drag-select points on that shape (starting from any neutral area) without selecting other shape layers. This is how it’s worked since before I can remember.
Here’s why the two new selection modes don’t work:
Active Layers - I can no longer freely select any visible shape. Instead I’m forced to make a time-consuming roundabout to the layer palette, where I have to squint to find my shape layer, and activate it manually before continuing. (Hitting “V” to select a layer, then “A” to get back to the D.S. Tool is nearly as cumbersome. Plus, I leave off the Move Tool's auto-select mode.)
All Layers - Treats all my shapes as if they’re on one layer. Overlapping shapes are therefore impossible to work with -- mainly drag-selecting and deselecting points -- in situ.
We either need a “legacy” setting, or some way to constrain selection on drag, via a key modifier or something. This “all or nothing" thing doesn’t work for me... and apparently for others. Why would they change such a thing?
Or maybe there’s something I’m missing. Please let that be the case!

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Direct Selection Tool don't works cause points dissapear in shapes

Good evening,
I'm using Photoshop CC under a Macbook Pro Retina Display (15 inches), I've noticed that since lasts updates, when I use the direct selection tool for chaning a shape trace the points that should appear for selecting each anchor dissapears, and there's no way to get them back (sometimes by closing the program and restarting fixes this issue).
The tool is working because when I clic somewhere over a shape it gets highlighted on layers panel, but I can't see the points and so, can't modify the shape.
Does this belongs to any option? (I know in Illustrator there's an option to see or hide the points, but don't know if in Photoshop goes the same way or not) or it's a bug from the last updates? (I would say that it didn't happen at the beggining). But as I use a lot shorcuts, sometimes I can make a misstake and press cmd + wrong key, so I think it could be the reason for this... but I'm not quite sure.
Thanks in advice!
EDIT:
I've seen that if I hide the "extras" (cmd + H) it hides the guides but also the points from shapes (that shouldn't be this way, right?) and even I can see them when I turn them on, I can't pick just one as I did in CS6 by using direct selection tool and pressing on just one point (at the beggining all of them are highlighted cause you've got selected the whole shape layer, but when you press one, it should get this highlighted and turn off the rest of them), and the only way to get just one point is to pan with the cursor and make a selection, passing over the points you want to highlight, but this is annoying cause if you've got any other shape below, it will select it as well.

1000x this. My designs are 100% vector shapes, so if Adobe have changed this core behavior intentionally, they’ve just made my life a lot more difficult.
We should be able to use the Direct Selection Tool to select a shape layer (similar to how the Move Tool has done) by clicking on any visible pixel. But then we should be able to freely drag-select points on that shape (starting from any neutral area) without selecting other shape layers. This is how it’s worked since before I can remember.
Here’s why the two new selection modes don’t work:
Active Layers - I can no longer freely select any visible shape. Instead I’m forced to make a time-consuming roundabout to the layer palette, where I have to squint to find my shape layer, and activate it manually before continuing. (Hitting “V” to select a layer, then “A” to get back to the D.S. Tool is nearly as cumbersome. Plus, I leave off the Move Tool's auto-select mode.)
All Layers - Treats all my shapes as if they’re on one layer. Overlapping shapes are therefore impossible to work with -- mainly drag-selecting and deselecting points -- in situ.
We either need a “legacy” setting, or some way to constrain selection on drag, via a key modifier or something. This “all or nothing" thing doesn’t work for me... and apparently for others. Why would they change such a thing?
Or maybe there’s something I’m missing. Please let that be the case!

Direct Selection Tool. PS CC crashes every time a shape altered. Suggestions?

I am currently using the latest version of PS CC - updated to the latest "bug fixes" and all.
Each time I go to use the direct selection tool, i select points of a shape, PS locks up, and quits automatically without fail.
Are there any suggestions as to what I can do to alleviate this problem? Thank you for any help

This is the only time it locks up? What are your system specs and operating system?
Have a look at your GPU settings in Preferences > Performance? Try truning off 'Use GPU Acceleration? Also look in Advanced settings, and try changing those. If this helps, then look at updating your video card drive from the card maker's website.

CS2 - Can't select points with direct selection tool

Noramlly in CS5 and any other version of Photoshop or Illustrator that I know of, if you click a point in an object, it will show the handles for transforming the line. As I'm creating something today, it works for a while and then stops. Yesterday I had the same problem. I drew a few things and then suddenly, the Direct Select Tool is not showing any transform handles.
I can get them to show if I can click and drag a box over the point, but this is slow and doesn't work well for layered art. I already tried resetting my illustrator preferences. Any other ideas?
EDIT: Also, in CS5 there's a simple icon that you can click to convert the currently selected point from a curved point to an angled point. Is there not such a thing in CS2?
I ask because at work I only have access to CS2.

Gregor,
Sometimes Illy gets distracted an confused when others start intruding. The usual suspects are listen in Item 7 in Other options .
You did get rid of the preferences while Illy was alseep, no?

Direct selection tool not working

Im trying to use the direct selection tool, but instead of moving objects its only moving anchor points.. how can i fix this? it doesn't usually happen!! Im using illustrator CS6
THANKS!!!

godcoma,
I believe the (normal black arrow) Selection Tool is what you are after here.
If you ClickDrag an Anchor Point of an unselected object with the Direct Selection Tool, only that Anchor Point will be dragged along. If the whole object is selected, the whole object will be dragged along. You may select the whole object in the Layers palette if that is what you wish.

Direct Selection Tools Randomly Stops Functioning

Hello, I'm having some issues with Adobe Illustrator. For some reason, the direct selection tool will randomly stop allowing me to edit my anchor points. Instead of directly selecting a specific point on a path and giving me the option to move it/ adjust the curve, it just selects the entire path and simply moves it. This is very frustrating, because it forces my to make my paths perfect the first time I make them with the pen tool and doesn't allow me to edit them later. Before you ask, I am indeed using the plain white arrow (not the black one or the white arrow w/ the + sign) and I do not have any conflicting layers above the path or any strange groups that would cause this weird effect. The white arrow also makes the white box when I hover over an anchor point, but clicking doesn't do anything but select the entire path. Please help!

Christopher,
>This is very frustrating, because it forces my to make my paths perfect the first time I make them with the pen tool and doesn't allow me to edit them later.
Obviously, Illy is trying to help you get perfect.
If you want to cheat, you could try following the instructions in FAQ #2.

Direct Selection Tool will not choose individual "path" anchor points

Photohsop CS4, 11.0.1
Mac OSX 10.4.11, MacPro, Dual-Core Intel Xeon, 2.66 GHz, 9GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT-256 MB VRAM, 500GB Startup HD, 500GB HD (wlhere file resides and scratch disk), OpenGL enabled
I am unable to select individual anchor points and line segments of a path, although the anchor points appear to be individually highlighted, copying them copies the entire path, not just the selected points, and deleting them deletes the entire path, not just the selected points. In effect the "hollow arrow" direct selection tool is working like the "solid arrow path selection" tool.
I ran Disk Warrior, repaired disk permissions. I deleted old preferences by renaming file with Photoshop closed, and then restarted photoshop.
After calling Adobe Tech Support, they are recommending I reinstall the entire CS4 suite, which I am hesitant to do. At the least I will lose all of my menu preferences in all programs. Should I just follow their advice and reinstall CS4?
Thanks.

When you click on it with path selection tool (black arrow) which option is enabled in options bar at top - add, subtract, intersect, or exclude?
Can you combine paths?
Have you tried drawing a new path and selecting points on it?
Can you still add and subtract points?
Edit: Can you pull on the bezier handles?
Edit: is it a vector mask or a standalone path?
I'm trying to simulate your problem – in the meantime I'm brainstorming, not sure how else to help. It seems like something restarting the program would fix.
What about quitting the app. Then going to User: Library: Prefs: Adobe Photoshop CS4 paths, trash it then restart?
Message was edited by: Printer_Rick: Added Edit: Can you pull on the bezier handles?

Group and direct selection tools

I am hovering above artwork with both the Direct Selection tool and the Group Selection tool and they both seem to show the same paths and anchor points.
I am also not sure that I see a difference when selection shapes or groups.
1. Is there any difference with the info that is displayed when hovering over shapes and paths with either of these tools?
2. How does using the group selection tool differ from the direct selection tool?

1. there seems to be no difference
2. basically among other uses, the direct selection tool is used to edit paths/segments, and the group selection tool is used to move paths or groups.

Direct select tool in illustrator CC not working

I think i might of, at some point, hit a shortcut key by mistake that has rendered my direct select tool duff. But after a lot of search and going through options i can't figure out what's going on.
If i select the direct select tool (A), click on my expanded stroke split into dashed lines. Usually i'd be able to use direct select to target each dash, but instead now nothing gets select when i use my direct select. Nothing at all. It's bugging the hell outta me as it's effecting my workflow. Is this a bug, or an option that's been switched on/off?

Doidge,
Is the Direct Selection Tool working normally for other tasks?
If it is, there must be something strange about the former dashes. You may have a closer look at them in the Layers palette.
If not, there may be preference corruption. You may press Ctrl+Alt+Shift/Cmd+Option+Shift during restart of Illy, or Move the folder (follow the link with that name); the latter is reversible.

Direct select tool won't select anchor points

I can't get the direct select tool to select an anchor point on an embedded picture. I'm trying to squash a square image, but the direct select tool will only select the entire object, not individual anchor points. It worked in version 10, but in CS3 13.0.2 it just gives me the solid points. What changed?

>The direct select tool used to highlight the entire object, and the anchor(s) would become white circles. Then, you could move just one of the anchors at a time to make asymmetrical changes.
Not with placed images. Not ever.
>I can still do this with a shape I've drawn, but not with an image I placed.
Yes. That's the way it has always worked in Illustrator.
I have AI 8, 10, and 12 installed on this PC and on a Mac in my studio, so I'm not relying on (my failing) memory.

Script for Always Calling the Direct Selection Tool?

Ok, so first forgive me if this isn't necessarily a scripting question, but I'm hoping it is...
Would it be possible to write a script that, while using the pen tool, would force Illustrator to always switch to the Direct Selection (white) arrow when holding down Ctrl (Cmd)? In my workflow, I never have use for accessing the regular Selection Tool while I'm using the pen tool (or very rarely). In essence, I would just love if Illy's pen tool behaved the same as InDesign's and Photoshop's! Anyone know if something like this is scriptable?
Thanks in advance!
Andy

Google "illustrator pen tool direct selection" , for example the following...
http://vector.tutsplus.com/tutorials/tools-tips/illustrators-pen-tool-the-comprehensive-gu ide/
Select the Direct Selection tool before selecting the Pen tool. Press and hold Command (Ctrl)
to give you access to the last tool selected (in this case the Direct Selection tool) for editing
of paths and handles without deselecting the path.
Is that what you mean?

How do I constrain anchor angle when I tug on a path with the direct select tool?

How do I constrain anchor angle when I tug on a path with the direct select tool like it did in every version of Illustrator since 1988? New behavior is costing me time.

That solves it!
I was not able to find this in the online materials about the pen tool. In fact, Illustrator Help | Adjust path segments does not show the new functionality at all. They need to update that article.
Better way to implement the new functionality
It would have been nice if Adobe added to the chording controls for the direct select tool the ability to toggle this setting temporarily by holding down the space bar after mouse down to drag a segment.
Before mouse down this would give the user the hand tool.
If, after mouse down, I could hold space bar and have the behavior switch from the historical capability where dragging a segment cannot change adjacent segments to the new behavior where dragging the segment cannot move anchors but can rotate them, I am sure I would find times when the tool saved time. If, before mouse up, I release spacebar, turn the constraint back on with anchors pointing in their new directions and allow me to stretch the curve protecting the new shapes of adjacent curves.
Using space bar for this would be intuitive to me because holding down the space bar is something I already do to organically drag the page around with the hand tool. The new tool allows me to more organically stretch artwork around, something that is distantly analogous, but close enough to remember.
For long time Illustrator users, the chording features holding Ctrl/Alt/Shift/Space or Ctrl/Command/Shift/Space in different combinations while using the direct select tool and pen tool is the killer app part of Illustrator that keeps us using it. This what we did on Illustrator 88 on a Mac Plus in 1988 and is still the most productive way to produce vector art when precision is required.

Direct select tool

Hello,
When I use the direct selection tool to manupulate a shape it is making the shape jagged. And when I size it down it becomes even more jagged. When I printed the object it looked fine, but when I view it on a webpage, it doesnt.
Here is the image, you will see the jagged lines on the top:
Oh, and I'm using CS5. Thanks for any help!

Looks like you are talking about pixellation on your monitor. Nothing to worry about for print but for a web page you might consider avoiding lines that are close to (but not quite) horizontal or vertical. In this case it's the top edge of the bag that's very slightly off horizontal, so either make it exactly horizontal or more off horizontal. That way you'll catch more pixel rows to draw the line with.

Gradients gets cropped with the Direct selection tool

I discovered another strange thing with gradients in InDesign.
I could see this problem in both CS6 and CC.
1. Make a gradient fill and apply it to a square object
2. Use the Direct selection tool and select two corners
3. Move the corners and you will see the gradient fill being cropped away
4. Change to the Selection tool and make the object wider. It does not reveal any more colors. They are cropped away for good now.
According to the color palettes this is still a gradient fill but it looks like one color now more or less. I couldn't find any way to release the cropping. I suppose it would have to be reveresed with the Direct selection tool.
The gradients in Illustrator stay inside the object when using the Direct selection so both selection tools works the same way. I also tried with vector objects in Photoshop and the gradient fill effect. Both selection tools in Photoshop works the same way as Illustrator. Gradient stays inside the object.
So is it a bug or feature?

Adobe has provided a very large tool box. Why not just do this in
Illustrator and place or copy/paste the frame. You obviously don't like
InDesign's way of doing things and you have at your disposal a tool that
does work the way you like.
I like InDesigns way of doing things very much. It's easily my all time favorite software after 25 years in this business.
And I can understand different behavior between the Adobe apps. This app can only do a little bit of what the other app can do.
But it don't like when three apps have the exact same tools, and one app is programmed to do something else with these tools, when it just as easily could have been programmed to do the same thing.

How do I turn off preview of hidden areas when dragging an image in frame with Direct Select Tool?

CS5, Not sure how to word this...
In previous version of ID, if I had a graphic in a frame, I could drag the image around inside that frame with the Direct Selection Tool. I can still do this with CS5 but it seems to want to show the entire image in a ghosting way that is outside of the frame. Is there a way to turn this preview type look off like it was in previous versions? I feel like its slowing my computer down bigtime because I am dealing with a large image. Everytime I click to drag it, everything slows to a crawl and unusable.

Go to the Prefernces and set Live Screen Drawing to Delayed.

Direct Selection Tool - Shape Layers in Photoshop CC Issue

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