Objects duplications via keyboard and shortcuts...

[flappy]

Hello.
I just use now Illustrator CS2 (on a Mac). I got two problems I never knew in all versions before CS2:

First- Normally you can duplicate a selected object via the key 'Alt' and one of the 'arrow' keys together. Copy takes the direction of the 'arrow' key you want, with the exact distance of the value of the active increment (in window 'Prefs' - com-K). The problem: it does'nt work everytime (mostly)!!!

Second- When you make a translation of a selected object and when you make 'Com-Shift-M' just after your handling, you got the exact values of your first move, so you can continue the operation with copied objects when you select the 'Copy' button. The problem is: it does'nt work everytime (mostly)!!!

If it's necessary for understanding: I work on a G4 Mac - MacOS 10.4.7 ('French' Tiger).
Many thanks for your help and explanations.
Have a nice day.
Flappy

[flappy]

Is there anybody who uses these shortcuts to duplicate selections? In my first case I tried for exemple to do it with different active positions in the palette (each time with another tool). Most often it works the first time when just after opening my document. Then it's more erratic. Why???
Thanks for your comments.

[jctremblay]

I never seen the problem you are refering. It works all the time for me. Maybe it’s time to trash your illustrator prefs.

[flappy]

Good idea. Maybe it comes from this side?!.....

[flappy]

I just trashed the Prefs file. After restarting it seems now to work normally. I hope it's the right way for a long time...
Merci encore Jean-Claude pour l'info. C'est bon à savoir pour une prochaine fois s'il y a des choses bizarres qui se passent...

[flappy]

By the way I think it's maybe possible that I got some troubles via my own made shortcuts (three in total)???!!!... Or it's nonsense...

[flappy]

Well after a while, working on my illustration, the same problem is BACK. It persists to duplicate some shapes very correctly (still with 'Alt' - 'arrow' keys)but other objects NOT!!! And this inside the same document. I think I'm gonna be crazy ;-)) Where is the bug? I can't really understand...

[flappy]

Hello again.
I have found something strange and funny with my duplicating problem via keyboard:
1- I create a first shape (on basic layer for instance)
2- I create now a second shape and I try to duplicate it with 'Alt-arrowkey'. It happens NOTHING. This element is on the forground (historically). Logic.
3- Now if I put the same shape on the background: IT WORKS!
Explanation???........
Does somebody know once this particular operation?
Thanks for your answer.