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bjgough
bjgough
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Text tool has shifted 90º on me

Mar 10, 2012 3:37 PM

Tags: #illustrator #problem #cs5 #help #error #text #settings #default #options #tool #rotate #90_degrees #area_type #point_type

I opened a PDF to edit some text for a job and my text tool got spanked in the process... Now, every time I go to create a new text area (even in a new document) I am creating text that is rotated 90º. The text itself isn't rotated within the box, it's the text area itself that is rotated. Even starting a line with Point Text starts writing the words vertically. I have no idea what setting, or what preference, or what little box is checked somewhere that is automatically rotating my text fields by 90º!! ?

 

Here is the new document setup:

Screen Shot 2012-03-10 at 3.23.06 PM.png

Here is the NORMAL text tool selected. I created the text area and started typing. The text starts at the bottom and writes vertically.
Screen Shot 2012-03-10 at 3.25.15 PM.png

 

Below is my character, paragraph settings. There are no styles applied to the text...

Screen Shot 2012-03-10 at 3.26.04 PM.png

 

Below is the same effect when using Point Text (is that the right word - I just click on the artboard once with the text tool instead of dragging out an area.)

Screen Shot 2012-03-10 at 3.28.03 PM.png

I can use the Rotate tool to correct the problem.. but this is an unwanted default behavior! Anyone have any ideas!?

(adjusted with the Rotate tool)

Screen Shot 2012-03-10 at 3.34.44 PM.png

 

 

Macbook Pro

2.4 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo

4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM

OS 10.7.3

 

Adobe CS 5  v15.0.2

1093 Views   11 Replies   Latest reply: bjgough, Mar 11, 2012 10:25 AM
 
Replies
  • MikeWenzloff
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    1. MikeWenzloff,
    Mar 10, 2012 3:48 PM   in reply to bjgough
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    Are you certain you are not using the vertical text tool?

     

    Mike

     
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  • bjgough
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    2. bjgough,
    Mar 10, 2012 4:21 PM   in reply to MikeWenzloff
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    Oh, if ony it were that simple.

    Screen Shot 2012-03-10 at 4.16.59 PM.png

    The Vertical Type tool is rotated to create a normal Horizontal Type area... but the text is rotated... The solution for this box would be to go in and rotate the characters in the character panel by -90º.

    Screen Shot 2012-03-10 at 4.18.24 PM.png

     

    Update: My arrow keys (in Illustrator only) move objects incorrectly also. Meaning, with an object selected, pressing the UP arrow tool moves the object to the left. Pressing the DOWN arrow moves it to the right. And the LEFT arrow moves down, RIGHT arrow moves up...

     

    It's as if Illustrator has somehow confused its orientation. The mouse still moves correctly, where UP is UP.

     
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  • MikeWenzloff
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    3. MikeWenzloff,
    Mar 10, 2012 4:24 PM   in reply to bjgough
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    Geez, that is all mucked up!

     

    As long as somehow the computer itself isn't messed up, I would try trashing the preferences for AI and try again.

     

    Good luck...Mike

     
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  • bjgough
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    4. bjgough,
    Mar 10, 2012 4:40 PM   in reply to bjgough
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    I restarted Ai with SHIFT+OPT+CMD depressed to remove my preferences... That solved the problem. I have no idea WHAT preference would change everything by 90º.... but the problem has been fixed (not solved).

     
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  • steve fairbairn
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    5. steve fairbairn,
    Mar 10, 2012 4:41 PM   in reply to bjgough
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    Set Constrain Angle to 0° in General Prefs.

     
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  • bjgough
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    6. bjgough,
    Mar 10, 2012 4:48 PM   in reply to steve fairbairn
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    Awesome. I checked that but thought that was in reference to the "snaps to" increments... I changed it to 90º (resetting prefernces had returned it to 0º) and was able to reproduce the problems I was having with the text tool. Perfect. Now I know!

    Thanks Steve.

     

     

    I was hesitant to join the forums, I just assumed I wouldn't ever get an answer... I think I am going to become a more diligent participant here. Thanks.

     
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  • steve fairbairn
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    7. steve fairbairn,
    Mar 11, 2012 4:13 AM   in reply to bjgough
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    Glad to be able to be of assistance.

    Actually this is not the first time someone has has this same trouble.

    If you want to draw rectangles and stuff at odd angles you can sometimes make use of this feature instead of rotating them afterwards.

    And no need to be shy about chatting on the forum. Only a few of us bite :-)

     
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  • Jacob Bugge
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    8. Jacob Bugge,
    Mar 11, 2012 4:42 AM   in reply to bjgough
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    Only a few of us bite :-)

     

    Some of whom only when it is dark.

     
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  • tromboniator
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    9. tromboniator,
    Mar 11, 2012 4:47 AM   in reply to Jacob Bugge
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    Which it happens to be, here.

     
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  • steve fairbairn
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    10. steve fairbairn,
    Mar 11, 2012 5:24 AM   in reply to tromboniator
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    The werewolf complex. Designer by day ...

     
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  • bjgough
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    11. bjgough,
    Mar 11, 2012 10:25 AM   in reply to steve fairbairn
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    I realize I had been exploring the new Vectorscibe extension and had clicked on 90º in the protractor... I didn't really know what the tool was for, I was just pushing buttons to see what would happen. Anyway, the protractor tool does exactly that - its a shortcut to the constrain angle setting in general prefs.

    Thanks all....

     

    and, it is now light here, so I felt safe enough to respond.

     
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