Scaling down a placed image makes it unmovable
After placing a PNG and scaling it down to fit my artwork, I was no longer able to move the PNG into place. I could only select it in the Layers panel or by clicking and dragging over it. There does seem to be a threshold before this happens — if I only scale it down a small amount, it seems to behave as normal, but if I go beyond 50%, it becomes unstable. Of course, the workaround is to scale the PNG closer to the size needed, but this behavior seems to be new. I am pretty sure I have been able to scale images freely in the past.
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Ibrahim, there are general problems with making raster images too small — they stop being selected.
I see the size of the image is just 1cm... I don’t see the effective resolution of this image (you never select it directly or show the Link Info section in the Links panel), but I’d assume is gigantic. Is is a JPEG? How large it is in pixels? -
Ibrahim Younis commented
Product: Adobe Illustrator (desktop)
Version: 29.8.2 Latest Stable \ x64
OS: [Windows 10 Pro
Hardware: Nvidia 3060, Intel I7 11th Gen, 16GB RamIssue: When using a clipping mask to mask an image, only the edges of the mask path are clickable/selectable. Clicking the interior image fill does not select the image or allow isolation/editing.
Steps to reproduce:
1. Place/embed an image on artboard.
2. Create a vector shape above/beside the image.
3. Select image + shape → Object → Clipping Mask → Make.
4. Attempt to click inside the masked image area with Selection tool.
5. Observe that clicking only works on the mask edges; image interior is unselectable.
6. (Optional) In Layers panel, expand clipping group and note that image layer exists but cannot be clicked in-canvas easily.Expected result: Clicking the image inside the mask should select the image or enter Isolation Mode for the image contents.
Actual result: Only the mask’s edges or bounding dot respond to click; interior is non-selectable.Work-around: Releasing the mask, then selecting image doesn't function. The mask broke the image functionlity to be selected, even if it was selectable from the middle before masking it. So the image will now (After releasing the mask) will also be only selectable using it's edges.
Frequency: Happens 3 out of 10 times i fresh start illustrator program.
Additional notes: No third-party plug-ins involved; tried resetting Illustrator preferences; same behavior on new document.Attached: Screenshot of issue, sample .ai file demonstrating problem (file includes image + mask).
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onenower
commented
This file appears when the height is reduced to below 16mm
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onenower
commented
This file appears when the height is reduced to below 5mm
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onenower
commented
I tested several different files (jpg, png; RGB mode, cmyk mode), and not all files will experience it.
The following test file will occur. -
onenower
commented
When the linked object shrinks to a certain value (different sizes of objects have different values), the object cannot be moved and can only be moved by selecting the edge.
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Joshua, a similar bug was reported internally and then quickly fixed (June 10th).
I’m testing it with the file that had this problem with 29.6.1 build and it doesn’t happen anymore...What version are you using?
If it’s 29.6.1 too, please make a copy of your document with nothing but the image in question in it, package it and send it (or the link to the cloud storage, if the result is too heave for emailing it) to sharewithai@adobe.com. Please put also the the link to this report for quick tracking: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447/suggestions/50193525 -
I now can confirm it, but can’t find the exact scenario to make this happen.
Toggling the option I mentioned doesn’t make it fixed.
I noticed it is somehow related to zoom level, but was not able to find logic.
Cesar, does it happen constantly for you? Only for linked or embedded images, or aby at all? Does restarting Ai help? Any detail goes! -
Cesar, can you please check Preferences > Object & Anchor Selection, Object Selection by Path Only — it should be unchecked if you want to be able to select objects by their fill and images 'by pixels' (and it’s usually is disabled).
Please comment back if it’s the case (or not). -
Cesar Leal commented
When I scale an image I can't select it any more, I can only select it making click on the bounding box.
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JW
commented
Thanks for the reply. Although the zoom level wasn't the problem I am facing. I am well familiar with Illustrator and have been using it professionally for over 2 years, and I think it's safe to say that this is some kind of bug.
However, I will take your advice and go to the support page. Thanks anyway. -
JW
commented
An image file, size ~100cmx140cm, was imported into ai. Once it's scaled down to around 10mmx14mm, it can't be selected by its fill( even I zoomed really up close), I'll have to move it around by selecting it's bounding box. When I scale it up a little bit like 1mm, it fixes the problem. This is super annoying. Please fix it.
(I'm using the latest version to date)