Selection Tool locked up in document

I am new to In Design CS4. After watching several tutorials I started a new document with several text boxes. Everything was going along smoothly and now suddenly when I open the document I cannot select the individual text boxes with my selection tool. Nothing happens.
I am able to create new text boxes but am not able to go in and edit or move anything that is existing. Help!
What am I missing here?

Make sure that the original text frames are not on a Master page. If they are, you can either Cut them from the Master and paste them on a document page; or, while on the Document page, you can Command-click (or Control-click on the PC) on the Frame to release it from the Master page so that it becomes part of the Document page.
If that's not it, make sure that they are not on a locked Layer.

Similar Messages

Aspect ratio of selection tools locked in CS4

Suddenly, all tools that produce a marquee during dragging are locked to a 1-1 aspect ratio, as though the shift key were depressed. For example, with the rectangular selection tool, a square marquee is displayed during dragging. However, when I let the mouse button up, the selected rectangle is not square, but has corners at the start and end points of the drag. If I depress the shift key before releasing the mouse button, I get the square selection corresponding to the displayed marquee.
This behaviour affects all selection tools that display a rectangle-bounded marquee (rectangle, ellipse, crop), as well as drawing tools. Similarly, transformation tools such as scale and transform also act as though the shift key were depressed during dragging, but, when the mouse button is released, produce a result which one would expect if the shift key had not been depressed (unless it is depressed as the mouse is button is released).
Any help to resolve this would be most appreciated!

I've been having the same problem. I had it occasionally with Photoshop CS3 and I've recently upgraded to CS5 and it just occurred again. I would love to figure out why this happens.

Selection tool locked up on me...

It has nothing to do with master pages or locked layers. I don't get it. I can select items and move them with the arrow keys, but clicking and dragging does nothing but change the cursor into a a no smoking symbol (circle with a line through it).
Anyways, it's supremely frustrating and I can't figure out what I did. I must have hit some command I'm not aware of.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Joey

Give this a try:
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/526990
Bob

How do i change the default hand tool to select tool when a document opens? also how do i get it to open in a single page view instead of 2 pages side by side

how do i change the default hand tool to the select tool when i open a document.
how do i change the view from 2 pages to a single page?

Try setting the check boxes in Edit>Preferences>General for the following:
- Make Hand tool select text & images
- Make Hand tool read articles
- Make Hand tool use mouse-wheel zooming
Adjust these as needed but does it make any difference?

Skipping to the top of the document when text selection tool selected

This may be difficult to explain. But often after I click in the toolbar to switch over to a specific Adobe document (in windows 7) that I previously opened and that is open to a page other than page 1 and with the text select tool has been selected, if I click into the text on the page (say page 4) and then scroll down with the mouse wheel to get to page five, the program will jump back to the beginning of page 1. (display is set at single page - fit page). I like Acrobat very much, but I find this to be extremely irritating and wasteful when trying to select text from and navigate a large document. Can you please tell me why this occurs?

mari40 wrote:
I READ the user guide, which told me view>format bar>show format bar. I am talking about the bar that shows how to set the format-- font, spacing, etc. That has gone gray, and eliminated all the settings so I can't alter the settings or print.
Mari,
We're here to try to help you; we get some satisfaction out of helping folks to get along with their Apple Pages software. If you just take this one step at a time, I'm sure we can sort it out.
Thanks for clearing up what your primary issue is. You had Fruhulda all confused with your complaint about printing. I sort of glossed over the printing issue because you seemed to be more focused on the formatting.
Please re-read my first post - the part about the Format Bar being contextual - and let's go from there.
Jerry

Using Transform or Selection tools makes my non-background layers or whole document invisible.

I recently started having this problem in Photoshop CS6 where using the transform or selection tools makes all the layers other than my background layer disappear so I can't see what I'm selection or transforming. This happens randomly out of nowhere. I can be using those tools all day with no problem, and then out of nowhere it starts making things invisible. There doesn't seem to be any other programs running that would cause it (not that that should be an issue, my computer could easily run all my Adobe programs at once if I wanted it to), and the only thing that seems to fix it so far is restarting Photoshop. But that gets old really fast when I have to do it over and over again. I tried calling Adobe, but somehow they're always closed, even during their supposed hours of operation.

You can also try to disable the GPU accleration (hardware acceleration) completely. Usually it is the drivers to blame, but on some PC's I have noticed that disabling it completely provides better performance and a better experience than having it enabled. In my case, I lose some features that I do not use so it is not an issue for me.

Selection Tool Error

I'm having problems with the selection tool in Indesign CS5. When I select an object with the selection tool and try to move it I get an alert sound. It will not let me move an entire object with either the selection tool or the direct selection tool. If I use the direct selection tool I can grab a point and move the point with no problem. If the object is selected, I can use my arrow tool to move the object. But when I use the selection tool to click/hold and drag, to move I receive an alert sound, and nothing happens. I'm on a Mac running 10.6.7. Macbook Pro 6. Last time this happened I had to create a new user and transfer everything over to a new account. I know there are problems with the initial User account on a mac created, but I was hoping this wouldn't happen again. Any help would be wonderful. And no, nothing is locked down, and it does the same thing when opening a brand new document.
Thanks,
Poe

When I said "arrow tool" I meant my directional arrows on my keyboard. Sorry for the confusion.

In version 5, how do I use the selection tool to move objects?

I can use the selection tool to select objects, but when I try to drag it, nothing happens. My workaround is to use the selection tool to select an object, and then use the transform tool to drag the object into its new position. Any help is greatly appreciated.

is your object locked?
Message was edited by: lilia@
... or perhaps your clicking on the content grabber?

Text select tool not working properly

When I use the text select tool, it selects columns, not words in a row, which is what I want. It used to work correctly. I am using Acrobat Pro, version 9.0.0.
I tried adding the ALT key, with no good result.

Is it with this specific document o any pdf you work on?
If it was earlier working fine for you, try repairing Acrobat by going to 'Help' menu > Repair Acrobat.
Also make sure you have updated it to the latest patch.
Regards,
Ravi.

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!

How do I select text in a PDF document?

I have a text-based PDF document, but I can only select text by restarting the reader. Once I select "Take a Snapshot" I can't select text anymore. How do I switch back to select text? I tried right-clicking on the document but I don't see any "selection" tool. I am using 11.0.3 under Win 7.

Just tested this (Reader 11.0.3 on Windows XP), and your scenario is exactly so.
I have been able to go back to get the Select Tool by clicking on the Highlight tool in the Toolbar, then right-clicking on the document.
But it's definitely a bug in my view.

Path Selection Tool issues

After reading up on some of the problems people are having with the path/shape changes in CC 2014, I haven't seen an exact mention of the problem I am having so here I am.
2 part problem really:
1. When using the Path Selection Tool or Direct Selection Tool, sometimes I am unable to switch to any other tool using a keyboard shortcut, regardless of isolation mode or Active/All layers toggles. I press Z or B or whatever, and nothing happens. I have to click the tool icon to get it to work. This seems to happen randomly.
2. When using the Path Selection or Direct Selection Tool, after a few operations of moving points around, when I move to another layer to work on another shape the shape outline and the handles are not visible. When in All Layers mode, the layer is switched to the new shape as expected and the Properties panel shows details of the shape path but I can't see the outline. The only way I have found to 'fix' this is to draw a new shape or reopen the document or Photoshop itself.
Are these 'problems' just me missing some new way of working brought into the shape tools or is it as borked as it seems?
Thanks

No I have been using CC for about 8 months or so. I updated to CC 2014 a couple of days ago. I have been using the shapes with no issues up till now. The changes to the shape system seemed to bring it closer to illustrator, so it was logical. A change from the past, but I thought I was up to speed with it.
As for keystrokes to reproduce the problems I am having - that is part of the problem it seems kind of random as to when it happens.
When working on a shape, pressing return will turn the outline on and off as expected. Pressing esc will turn it off as expected, double clicking will take it into isolation mode as expected but then sometimes, the whole outline becomes unresponsive and it isn't visible. The shape layer is selected and the layer selection changes as expected when I have All Layers mode on and I click different shapes. The path is also selected in the Path panel. It shows up in the properties window too. Clicking/double clicking the shape, return and esc make no difference. I don't get it its all happening randomly though
Then I have the 'unable to switch tools' problem where shortcuts for different tools stop working. I have to click the tool icon to switch. Drawing a new shape brings it all back As I said in my first post, it could just be me missing something but i'm stumped. At this point i'm going to try a reinstall but I don't think it'll make much difference with something like this.
Thanks for the reply though.

Path Selection Tool

Hello,
I begin photoshop scripting. I want to use Path Selection Tool but i don't find this property in the javascript reference.
Exactly, i want to select all the document by this tool.
Please, help me.

Hello,
I begin photoshop scripting. I want to use Path Selection Tool but i don't find this property in the javascript reference.
Exactly, i want to select all the document by this tool.
Please, help me.

Can't move objects with selection tools?

As of last night, I am able to select objects in my documents but I am unable to move them using the selection tools. I'm having to just scoot things around with the arrow keys. I've already tried restoring my preferences and that hasn't helped.
I'm running OS 10.6.8 and InDesign CS6 8.0.1
Also, for what it's worth, any time I try to use the selection tools in Illustrator, Illustrator crashes but doesn't give me a crash report. This started happening at the same time.
Any ideas?

Well, it was a long shot.
You mentioned replacing the prefs. For ID that's a bit more complicated than some of the other Adobe apps, so I like to verify that you did the whole job. You'll find instructions for doing it manually or using a keybaord shortcut on launch here: Replace Your Preferences
I'm concerned, though that Illustrator also seems to be acting up. Maybe you should replace the mouse driver.

[JS CS3] How to select Selection Tool

Hello,
At the end of a script I wish to return to the Selection Tool (black arrow). Now the Text tool is active because the last thing the script did was to create a text frame. I do not see any property I can use to invoke the selection tool.
Thanks,
Tom

The following script gives the distance between two parallel guides and places that distance on the clipboard. For whatever reason I always end up with the Text Tool as the active tool.
var arrGuides = app.selection;
var docUnits = findDocUnits();
selectOnlyGuides();
switch(arrGuides.length){
        case 0:
        alert("Please select two parallel guides. \r\rYou did not select any.");
        break;
        case 1:
        alert("Please select two parallel guides. \r\rYou selected only one.");
        case 2:
        twoGuidesSelected();
        break;
        default:
        alert("Please select only two parallel guides. \r\rYou selected three or more.");
        break;
        }//end switch
arrGuides[0].select();
arrGuides[1].select(SelectionOptions.ADD_TO);
//******FUNCTIONS************
function findDocUnits(){
    if(app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.horizontalMeasurementUnits !=app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.verticalMeasurementUnits){
        alert("The vertical and horizontal units must both be either inches or picas. Please check the Preferences and set them the same.");
        exit();
        }//end if
    else{
    var currentUnits = "";
    switch(app.activeDocument.viewPreferences.horizontalMeasurementUnits){
        case MeasurementUnits.INCHES:
        case MeasurementUnits.INCHES_DECIMAL:
        currentUnits = "inches";
        break;
        case MeasurementUnits.PICAS:
        currentUnits = "picas";
        break;
        default:
        alert("Your document should be set in only inches or picas. Please check the Preferences.");
        break;
        }//end switch
    }//end else
return currentUnits;
}//end function findDocUnits
function selectOnlyGuides(){
try{
    for(var i = 0; i< arrGuides.length; i++){
        if(arrGuides[i].constructor.name != "Guide"){
            var alert1="Please select two parallel guides and no other elements.";
            alert(alert1);
            exit();
        }//end try
            }//end if constructor.name
    }//end for
catch(e){
    alert(alert1);
    }//end catch
}//end function selectOnlyGuides
function twoGuidesSelected(){
    //testing to see if perpendicular guides have been selected by user.
    try{
     if(arrGuides.length==2&&(arrGuides[0].orientation==HorizontalOrVertical.vertical&&arrGuides[1].orientation==HorizontalOrVertical.horizontal)||(arrGuides[1].orientation==HorizontalOrVertical.vertical&&arrGuides[0].orientation==HorizontalOrVertical.horizontal)){
        alert("Please select two parallel guides. \r\rYou selected two perpendicular ones.");
        }//end if; test for perpendicular guides
    //testing if only horizontal or vertical guides have been selected. If yes, tell difference.
     if(arrGuides.length==2&&(arrGuides[0].orientation==HorizontalOrVertical.vertical&&arrGuides[1].orientation==HorizontalOrVertical.vertical)||(arrGuides[0].orientation==HorizontalOrVertical.horizontal&&arrGuides[1].orientation==HorizontalOrVertical.horizontal)){
        var deltaDistance = Math.abs((arrGuides[0].location)-(arrGuides[1].location)).toFixed(4);
        alert("The distance between the two guides is: "+deltaDistance+" "+docUnits+".\r\rThis figure is now on your clipboard if you want to paste it.");
        var numToCopy = deltaDistance;
        copyNum(numToCopy);
    }//end if; test for parallel guides.
}//end try
catch (e){//do nothing
    }//end catch
return arrGuides;
}//end function twoGuidesSelected
function copyNum(numToCopy){
var framePropRecord = {contents:numToCopy.toString()}
var myTextFrame = app.activeDocument.textFrames.add(framePropRecord);
myTextFrame.parentStory.texts[0].select();
app.copy();
myTextFrame.select();
myTextFrame.remove();
    }//end function numToCopy

Selection Tool locked up in document

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