Toggle Selection Tool Functions

I've been using PhotoShop for years now, and currently use CS4 Extended. I am frustrated by not knowing how (or if) one seemingly minor function is possible. When using the selection tools, if am am using the lasso tool in "add" mode and want to quickly switch to "subtract" mode, is there a keyboard shortcut (alt key, etc.) that I can use instead of having to use the buttons in the top toolbar?
Thanks!

Yep. Just hold down the Alt key when you start selecting and voila, subtraction from the selection.
-Noel

Similar Messages

Help! Selection tool functions switched / reversed!

This is driving me crazy and impeding my work.
The functionality of the selection tool (v) and the direct selection tool (a) have apparently switched. The selection tool behaves exactly like the direct selection tool should (example: click-dragging a selection over a point or path selects that point or path, not the whole object). The reverse is also true: the direct selection tool behaves as you would expect the direct selection tool should (example: click-dragging a selection over a point or path selects the whole object, not the point or path.
Platform: MacBook 2.4 Ghz, OS 10.6.5, CS5
Attempts at fixing: Deleted preferences for Illustrator (multiple times), including quitting Illustrator and restarting machine
Also, I went so far as creating a new user on my Mac, opening Illustrator, and testing the selection tools. Under a different user, these tools behave as expected, the selection tool behaves like the selection tool should, the direct selection tool behaves like the direct selection tool should.
Google and forum searches have yielded no help.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Yes, absolutely:
1) Quit Illustrator
2) Delete preferences
3) Restart Illustrator
I have tried deleting these files and folders:
1) user/Library/Preferences/Adobe Illustrator CS5 Settings
2) user/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Illustrator CS5
Perhaps there's some preferences file hierarchy that I'm not aware of, and I
need to delete a file higher up this hierarchy? Like
"com.adobe.CSXS2Preferences.plist"?
( It appears someone else has or had this problem:
http://forums.adobe.com/message/2488436#2488436 )
Thanks

Selection tool functions

unable to regain pointer tool attributes
it only moves object
cannot resize or rotate from mouse

mthetek,
Some issues arise from Edges or Bounding Box being hidden (under View they appear with Show, indicating they are hidden), but not really what you describe.
It may be a case of preference corruption; you may try to Ctrl+Alt+Shift/Cmd+Option+Shift during startup or Move the folder with Illy closed.

Quick selection tool,How to programme the function of this tool?

Recently, I intend to extract from a picture on the edge of oil tank。I found that this quick selection tool can meet my
requirement。 But I do not know how to achieve it in VC ++ 。I would like to ask somebody who knows it???thanks~~~~~

The question doesn't make sense in the SDK forum either.
Why are you trying to control the tool programmatically?
And I don't think you really can control that tool programatically - it's meant to be interactive.

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.

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.

Can no longer re-size with selection tool

For some reason, I can no longer resize objects with the selection tool. When I click on an element, the handles appear, but remain solid. When I select to scale the item, the whole item moves. Any suggestions?

Cmd(Ctrl)-Shift-B which is the toggle for Show/Hide Bounding Box or maybe Cmd(Ctrl)-H the toggle for Show/Hide Edges.

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!

I just downlouded the latest version of the Muse CC and it doesn't work well, it freezes all the time, in particular with the tools. Example the selection tool doesen't wor at all.

I just downlouded the latest version of the Muse CC and it doesn't work well, it freezes all the time, in particular with the tools. Example the selection tool doesn't wor at all. Is there any solution for this problem?

Hi!
I restarted the computer, but the same issue happens again. When I move my mouse over some object or tool, it doesn’t come active at all (only some of the tools works) When I try to change “site properties”, I can’t choose tablet or phone mode or even I can’t select the checkboxes, only thing what I can do is change the numbers (high and width) . After all the main problem is that I can’t select some of the items or functions by mouse, but only by the keyboard.

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.

[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

The selection tool not working

The selection tool in Illustrator is not functioning as normal. It won't allow me to automatically click on a path or group of objects and show the rectangular marquee that automatically gives me a corner to grab and scale the selected items. How can I get this function to work again?

Sounds like you are missing the bounding box. Got to View>Show Bounding Box.

How to implement text selection tool

Hello,
    I need to develop one plug-in. On click of menu, the cursor should change to text selection tool.
   On selection of text, I need to get coordinates of text.
How to do this. Please help me to solve this issue.
Thanks,
Shilp

Hello,
        Thanks for your response.
        I have implemented the function for AVToolRec as follows.
        AVToolRec AVRect;
        AVRect.size = sizeof(AVToolRec);
        AVRect.GetType = ASCallbackCreateProto(GetTypeProcType, &ToolGetType);
        AVRect.DoClick = ASCallbackCreateProto(DoClickProcType, &DoClick);
        AVRect.AdjustCursor = ASCallbackCreateProto(AdjustCursorProcType, &AdjustCursor);
        AVAppRegisterTool(&AVRect);
        ACCB1 ASBool ACCB2 AdjustCursor(AVTool tool, AVPageView pageView, Int16 x, Int16 y)
               AVSysSetCursor((AVCursor) LoadCursor(NULL, IDC_CROSS));           //Works fine for cross
   I want to develop the cursor as acrobat provides.. "Selection tool for text and images"
   I tried to change the cursor to IDC_BEAM, But it's not useful. Is it possible to create the cursor as acrobat provides and get coordinates for the text selection.
Please help me to solve this.
Regards,
Shilp

Selection Tool Not Selecting Properly? PE 2.0

Hi, interesting looking forum you have here! Discovered it today, and then this evening, I find a problem. Typical. At least I knew where to come.
Anyway, working on a project tonight, using the selection tool with a large square brush, I selected a square in a block of black, and erased it using the normal eraser with a round brush set to 'pencil'. I saw it gave a clean edge on the top and left edges, but the right and bottom edges faded out outside the selection. Repeated erasings of the area did give it a nice neat line ... but outside the selection, so it wasn't square. I'm sure I must have some setting ticked and I just don't know what it is.
Piccie below, because I don't think I explained that well. Any help you could give me would be much appreciated!

Since it is not known what caused this unusual behavior so resetting the behavior of tools would be good idea to use the tool at its original functionality. For this click the small triangle at the upper left corner above tools and click Reset Tools and try using the selection now. If issue still persists please reset the settings from Edit->Preferences. Let me know if you have any comments.
-Garry

Select tool and Tab randomly stop working

When filling in a form in Reader, the select tool and Tab between fields feature sometimes stop working at random. Right clicking the field and then left clicking (not on Paste menu) seems to work to allow writing in the field again. Sometimes this also restores functionality, sometimes it doesn't. This slows things down a lot in a setting where I need to enter data as quickly as possible. Any advice?

You'll find more information and suggestions for backing up and manually replacing the prefs in the comments here: Adobe InDesign CS4 * Setting preferences

Toggle Selection Tool Functions

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