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LesToil
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Using shift key to extend line or paint stroke

Aug 2, 2012 10:58 PM

Hello all. I've been using a very old version of Photoshop for the last 10 years and I'm used to using the shift key to extend a line or paint stroke. By that I mean,  I use the paint tool to make a dot and then hold down the shift key and make another dot elsewhere and that creates a straight line. I just purchased CS6 and that function doesn't  seem to be happening. Is this something I need to activate in a preference?

 

Thanks very much for any and all help.

660 Views   10 Replies   Latest reply: R_Kelly, Aug 4, 2012 11:50 AM
 
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  • c.pfaffenbichler
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    1. c.pfaffenbichler,
    Aug 2, 2012 11:05 PM   in reply to LesToil
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    The function still applies but you may have chosen a Brush Preset with a Pressure sensitive Shape Dynamics (or other) property.

    Could you please post a screenshot with the pertinent Panels visible?

     
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  • LesToil
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    2. LesToil,
    Aug 3, 2012 12:02 AM   in reply to c.pfaffenbichler
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    I thought you may have nailed the problem, but I went ahead and turned "Pen Pressure" off and I still can't use the shift key to create/extend a line. Here's a screen capture of the Shape Dynamics panel? Is there something else I'm using on my brushes that's disabling the shift key extender? Thanks much.

     

    Screen Shot 2012-08-02 at 11.54.30 PM.png

     
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  • c.pfaffenbichler
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    3. c.pfaffenbichler,
    Aug 3, 2012 12:05 AM   in reply to LesToil
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    What are the Transfer settings? Any pressure or fade?

     
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  • LesToil
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    4. LesToil,
    Aug 3, 2012 1:04 AM   in reply to c.pfaffenbichler
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    Well, I just turned the Transfer settings off and I still can't use the Shift key. Strange.

     
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  • c.pfaffenbichler
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    5. c.pfaffenbichler,
    Aug 3, 2012 1:07 AM   in reply to LesToil
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    Which Tool do you use and what is checked in the Options Bar (»Always use pressure for size …« for example)?

     
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  • LesToil
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    6. LesToil,
    Aug 3, 2012 9:52 AM   in reply to c.pfaffenbichler
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    Doh! I had "Always use pressure for opacity" checked. When I unchecked it, the Shift key feature worked fine! It would have taken hours of futzing around to figure that one out. But too bad I can't have that Pressure/Opacity feature on and still use the shift--but maybe one cancels the other one out.  You're a genius and just a nice guy for taking this time with me. Very appreciated C.

     
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  • Noel Carboni
    21,320 posts
    Dec 23, 2006
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    7. Noel Carboni,
    Aug 3, 2012 11:00 AM   in reply to LesToil
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    There's something strange going on here...

     

    Like you, I have always relied on Shift giving me straight strokes from last point to current point.  However, I just tried it with the setting both ways and in both cases it worked.

     

    Click this to see an animation...

     

    PressureSettingAnimation.gif

     

    -Noel

     
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  • LesToil
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    8. LesToil,
    Aug 4, 2012 10:34 AM   in reply to Noel Carboni
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    That IS very strange Noel. I just tried it again and if any of those two "pressure" buttons are activated, the shift key doesn't extend the line (like it's doing for you). And that sucks because I would ALWAYS like to have the pressure sensitivity buttons on and be able to use the shift key at the same time. There must be some other function I have activated that cancels out the shift key function.

     

    By the way, where did you get the gif software to record your desktop activity?? Is that a basic program that comes with most new computers?

     

    Thanks for the help Noel.

     
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  • Noel Carboni
    21,320 posts
    Dec 23, 2006
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    9. Noel Carboni,
    Aug 4, 2012 11:11 AM   in reply to LesToil
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    I don't have a tablet, so pressure sensitivity makes no sense for me.   I assume you have one, which may explain the difference in operation.

     

    I use IrfanView, set to capture the display every 5 seconds and save the results in a PNG file, then methodically work through examples.  When done, I load all the saved images into a stack and make a frame animation in Photoshop.  It's not too difficult once gone through a few times.  Most folks might suggest getting a desktop video recording tool, though, like Camtasia or Captivator.  With a video you get smoother motion and you can narrate.

     

    -Noel

     
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  • R_Kelly
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    10. R_Kelly,
    Aug 4, 2012 11:50 AM   in reply to LesToil
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    It works here on windows 8 using a wacom tablet with cs6, even with the override buttons enabled.

     

    Have you updated the tablet driver to the latest version?

     
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