Arrow keys out of control - Wierd

[Patty_Clarke@adobeforums.com]

Hi,

I'm Illustrator deficient and just beginning the learning process of Illustrator CS utilizing the Total Training tapes.

In lesson 3 there is an exercise that uses the polar grid tool and arrow keys to change the divisions. I am experiencing the same problem as David. One tap of the arrow key makes huge speedy changes--say from 4 divisions to 20 or so. I do have Norton Anti Virus.

I'm not as computer experienced as David, so I'm not comfortable installing or disabling etc.

Just wondering if anything was ever figured out. The polar grid tool is new to me, so I've not ever used the arrow keys in relationship to this tool. I have used them for nudging a selection etc. with no problem.

Is there a manual menu I can use to change the number of divisions for this tool until somebody "smart" figures out the glitch?

TIA,

Patty

[Patty_Clarke@adobeforums.com]

I missed the window of opportunity for an edit of my above post.

After poking around in the threads more, I feel a little "intimidated" that I dropped in and posted something that has obviously been a topic of conversation.

Everyone has to start somewhere...

Patty

[Patty_Clarke@adobeforums.com]

Continuing on with my one way conversation---again missed the edit opportunity, but wanted to let you know that I found the manual menu for bypassing the arrow keys. Double click on polar graph and the menu comes up where you can edit number of grids.

I do look forward to hearing the resolve of the "speedy arrows."

TIA,

Patty :)

[Patty_Clarke@adobeforums.com]

Thought I would reactivate my "one-way conversation"-- I look forward to chatting with someone.

I'm doing the Total Training series for Illustrator and really trying to get the hang of the program. There are a couple other "problems" I have encountered (and they could totally be a result of operator error rather than program problems)---but I'd appreciate any words of wisdom.

One problem is using the direct selection tool to marquee an area to select. I've done it successfully in earlier lessons, but now it's not working. It doesn't marquee. I searched the forum and found this reference, which is just what the lesson is teaching.

"To join the two lines, select the "selection" tool (the black or filled arrow) and then select the two lines. Make them a compound path by doing a ctrl+8. Select the direct select tool (the white or hollow arrow) again and marquee (make a window) around the intersection of the two lines. Do a ctrl+J. A dialog box should appear asking if you would like a corner or a smooth junction. After you've made your choice you should be done."

The other problem I'm having is with text color. When I choose the text tool and then select the foreground color I want in the tool bar, as soon as I click the type tool to the document the colors revert to default. So then I was thinking you need to activate the type tool to the document and then change the color. Seems to work, but as soon as I start a new layer for another text message, the colors revert again.

I'm really Illustrator challenged and trying to change that, be kind...

TIA,

Patty

[Timothy_Foolery®@adobeforums.com]

That really does sound fishy, Patty. My Illy trail has run out and no one has bought it for me yet {cue sad face and puppy dog eyes} so I can't check it out for you. I had finally talked "the boss" into getting it, then I found out they had ditched "Riders" which makes it kinda useless for us. :(

It does sound like the things you're experiencing are bugs though. You could select your points directly, by clicking on them while holding down the shift key as a work around in the mean time.

BTW, the text color thing is just like that. I've just learned to deal with it, maybe there's some way of changing it, but I don't know myself.

Good luck. :)

[Patty_Clarke@adobeforums.com]

"then I found out they had ditched "Riders" which makes it kinda useless for us."

Thanks for the input Tim. What are "Riders"?

Today I had problems with select all and then trying to move the elements to a new document. With everything selected and using the black arrow, I tried to move to new doc. It wouldn't move the elements but instead created the marquee deal I was missing from before.

This is especially tough for me because I'm trying to learn the program and I never know if it's something I'm doing wrong or a problem. Ugh!

Patty

[LenHewitt@adobeforums.com]

Patty,

>>What are "Riders"?<<

Snippets of PostScript code that get added to the EPS file to control such
things as halftone screen frequency, dot-shape etc. on output to a
PostScript device.

[Lior]

I found a solution!
had this problem too.

first, just so you know, the problem is caused by having a wacom tablet attached.
there is some sort of virtual misunderstanding between the wacom and illustrator.
each company blames the other one so no one ever solved it as far as i know.

so here is the thing:
download a program called Autohotkey
( http://www.autohotkey.com )

it is a program that lets you run scripts that you create.

install it.

create a new text file and copy paste the following inside it:

$Up::
Send {Up}
If GetKeyState("LButton","p")
Keywait Up
Return

$Left::
Send {Left}
If GetKeyState("LButton","p")
Keywait Left
Return

$Right::
Send {Right}
If GetKeyState("LButton","p")
Keywait Right
Return

$Down::
Send {Down}
If GetKeyState("LButton","p")
Keywait Down
Return


now save it as any name you want, but with the extension "ahk" (instead of "txt").
assign Autohotkey to open these files if it is not already assigned.
run it.
viola!

basically what this script does is telling the arrow keys to signal their command only once per click,
and for this to happen only when the left mouse button is held, so it won't trouble your work.