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[Windows] Problem with shortcut to toggle between direct selection and selection

Mar 8, 2012 11:06 AM

Tags: #keyboard_shortcuts #selection_tool #illustrator_cs5 #windows_vista

Hi all,

 

Sorry for asking such a silly question, but I've been searching on the web for hours without finding the answer. So I come to you guys, hoping you have the magic answer.

 

My problem is that I moved recently to Illustrator CS5 after used for a very long time Illustrator 10. I use a lot the keyboard together with the mouse to draw in Illustrator and one shortcut has been replaced and I can't find the working new one.

 

In the pen mode (or any other tool), I press Ctrl to get quickly the selection tool, very handy. But I used to press Ctrl+Tab to toggle between the direct selection tool to the selection tool and vice-versa. In CS5, this shortcut has been replaced by switching between different documents (which makes more sense) and the new command according to the help file (ctrl+alt+tab) doesn't work in Windows (Vista) as it switches between the programs instead of the selection tools. the only solution I've got is to manually selection the desired tool, which somehow break the flow...

 

Can anyone help me? Thanks a lot

 

Michael

699 Views   7 Replies   Latest reply: CarlosCanto, Mar 8, 2012 2:05 PM
 
Replies
  • Manish-Sharma
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    1. Manish-Sharma,
    Mar 8, 2012 11:13 AM   in reply to wantilles9683
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    follow the link for the keyboard shortcut in illustrator

     

    http://help.adobe.com/en_US/illustrator/cs/using/WS714a382cdf7d304e7e0 7d0100196cbc5f-6425a.html

     
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  • wantilles9683
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    2. wantilles9683,
    Mar 8, 2012 11:19 AM   in reply to Manish-Sharma
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    It's not actually these shortcuts I'm looking for. I know that by pressing either V or A I can get to the direct / selection tools.

     

    What I'm looking for is the correct shortcut to switch between the 2 selection tools (black/white arrows) when using the pen (for example) and pressing Ctrl to temporarly get the last selection tool. It used to be ctrl+tab and has been replaced by ctrl+alt+tab but this doesn't work correctly in windows.

     
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  • CarlosCanto
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    3. CarlosCanto,
    Mar 8, 2012 11:33 AM   in reply to wantilles9683
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    It used to be ctrl+tab and has been replaced by ctrl+alt+tab but this doesn't work correctly in windows.

    yeah, that does not work for some reason (even if it did, too cumbersome to be productive), but give it another shortcut, Ctrl+E for example, that will do it.

     
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  • wantilles9683
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    4. wantilles9683,
    Mar 8, 2012 12:15 PM   in reply to CarlosCanto
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    It is a solution, even if I don't know how to re-assigne such command (toggle selection). (Edit: Actually, I found where it can be done: Edit -> Keyboard Shorcuts -> Menu Commands -> Other Select -> Switch Selection Tools)

    I still have the feeling that there exists a shortcut to do this command. Even the help file and adobe website specify the command ctrl+alt+tab for windows, which is silly since it is obviously in conflict with windows's shorcuts.

     

    Any other idea?

     
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  • CarlosCanto
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    5. CarlosCanto,
    Mar 8, 2012 12:29 PM   in reply to wantilles9683
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    Any other idea?

    what do you mean?

     

    wantilles9683 wrote:

     

    It is a solution, (Edit: Actually, I found where it can be done: Edit -> Keyboard Shorcuts -> Menu Commands -> Other Select -> Switch Selection Tools)

    this is not good enough?

     
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  • wantilles9683
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    6. wantilles9683,
    Mar 8, 2012 1:46 PM   in reply to CarlosCanto
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    I've changed the shortcut to ctrl+E and, even it feels awkward, it solves my problem. Thanks a lot by the way.  However I'm still puzzled by the fact this issue has been around for few years and both Adobe and all the internet are still referring to the shortcut ctrl+ alt + tab which obviously is a non-sense in a windows environment.

     
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  • CarlosCanto
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    7. CarlosCanto,
    Mar 8, 2012 2:05 PM   in reply to wantilles9683
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    I see, try different shortcuts till you find one you're more comfortable with, you'll get use to it eventually.

     

    that's correct, in windows Alt+tab will cycle thru programs, Ctrl key pressed or not.

     
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