Smart options display hostage situation

[jmcewen]

Sometimes when I open a file, the smart options display pops up and follows my cursor.  It has almost no delay before it pops up after moving. No tools are useable when this happens, including anything that is in the SOD. The ribbon is clickable.  I can change views.  I can change layers. I can change tools from a palette, but they are all non-functional while this is happening-- I cannot even select objects. 

 

The only thing I have found to stop it consistently is to start a new document then switch back to the document I wanted in the first place.  It happens most regularly when I open a backup file (I have suffered a few crashes lately), but occasionally from a regular file.  I don't think I have seen it happen when opening the application without opening a file, but I cannot be certain of that.

 

I don't use the SOD, and it is turned off in my workspace.  I often stop and stare at my drawings when thinking, and I don't like to see it when that happens.

 

I can remedy the problem when it arises, but does anyone have any thoughts on how to prevent it, or does anyone else experience this who can offer more info?

[Jeremy Best]

Hi @jmcewen, 

 

This is not a widespread issue (I've not received any reports of this) so it is almost certainly not due to a bug. Given the nature of the problem it is extremely likely to be caused by something local to your computer, including the possible corruption of your installation of Vectorworks or one of its Settings files but there are other potential causes for which you're the best person to assess because they require more insight, like third-party graphics software (like gaming tools, such as Alienware Command Center etc) or uncommon peripherals.

 

Because you've said…

On 8/20/2023 at 3:29 AM, jmcewen said:

the smart options display pops up and follows my cursor

 

–This is not a normal behaviour. Under no circumstances is the Smart Options Display programmed to follow your cursor around. And because you've said… 

 

On 8/20/2023 at 3:29 AM, jmcewen said:

(I have suffered a few crashes lately)

 

…I would say your installation or one or more of your User Folder's Settings files have been corrupted. As such, try the following potential remedies: 

 

To check if your installation of Vectorworks is the cause: 

1. Quit Vectorworks. 
2. Open the Vectorworks Updater app. (Found inside a folder of the same name, within the Vectorworks program/application folder. 
3. Open the 'Advanced' menu and select, 'Repair.' 
4. Reopen Vectorworks and see if the issue persists. 
   • If the issue persists: Then this is not the cause. Move on to the next potential remedy. 

 

To check if any 'Settings' file is the cause: 

1. In Vectorworks, go: Tools > Options > Vectorworks Preferences…
2. In the User Folders section, click 'Explore…' (if on Windows) or 'Reveal in Finder' (in on Mac). 
3. A File Explorer / Finder window will open. Leave it there and quit Vectorworks. 
4. In the File Explorer / Finder window rename the 'Settings' folder with the date at the end. i.e. 'Settings 2023-08-28.' This will stop Vectorworks from 'seeing' it and result in a new one being created with default settings files. 
5. Reopen Vectorworks and see if the issue persists.
   • If the issue persists: Then this is not the cause and you should quit Vectorworks, delete the newly created Settings folder and restore your old one by renaming back to 'Settings'
   • If the issue has gone: Go through your Vectorworks Preferences and make sure they're all set up the way you want them. 

[jmcewen]

Thank you @Jeremy Best.  It hasn't happened in several days so I am hoping it was just a transient issue that sorted itself out. 

 

Followed might not be the best way to describe the behavior.  When i moved the mouse , the SOD would pop up the moment I stopped without delay.  it would also disappear if i moved at all, even as little as to try to click something in the display, but still it would immediately reappear after I moved.

 

But if it starts happening again, I know the steps to take to figure it out now!