Cursor Lag When Changing Layers/Fill/etc

[sotopronl]

Hello all, long time lurker, first timer writer. I'm hoping to see if anyone has any suggestions on an issue I have with cursor lag.

 

When I change classes or layers I have a 3-10 second drag that hits my cursor. I also get this when changing properties of an object like fill, or pen. It isn't 100% of the time, maybe more like 15-25% of the time, but it certainly slows my workflow down significantly. It is more noticeable with large files, but also happens when working in smaller files that shouldn't lag at all.

 

It happens whether or not I have an external monitor plugged in.

 

Specs:

14 in, 2023

Apple M3 Max

64 GB RAM

MacOS: 14.6 (23G80)

 

VWX:

Spotlight 2025

Update 3.1

 

I'm also attaching a video as an example. This was a pretty extreme case as I was working in an architectural DWG import, but like I said, I experience it with smaller files too. 

 

I appreciate any help!

[rDesign]

With 64GB RAM on a M3 Max, I would not expect this to happen…

 

1) If you haven’t already, open up ‘Activity Monitor’ to see what is happening with the CPU usage / activity. 

2) Have you restarted you MacBook Pro recently? (Assuming it is a MacBook Pro, since you said 14”).

3) Do you have a lot of other applications open when this is happening? Also where Activity Monitor will be helpful.

[Pat Stanford]

There is an Apple bug in OS14 that hinders VW. Especially on multiple monitors, Especially when the VW window is close to the edge of the monitor.

 

I solved my problem by upgrading to Mac OS15.3

 

But you can try moving your VW window about an inch from the edge of monitor and/or setting each monitor to have separate spaces in Settings.

[rDesign]

I think I found the KB Tech Article that describes the bug Pat was describing:

 

https://forum.vectorworks.net/index.php?/articles.html/articles/tech-bulletins/macos-144-compatibility-issues/page/3/&tab=comments#comment-1096

[sotopronl]

Thanks for the responses! I’ll be back at my desk again in a couple days and will give these a shot!

[sotopronl]

Hey guys, i wanted to provide you with an update.

 

I tried each thing one at a time. (Upgrading to 15.3, separate screen setting already enabled, and making the window smaller).

 

It seems upgrading helped a bit, but making the window smaller seems to help the most as of now.

 

I still get some lag when navigating the controls, but it is a bit better. Hopefully a proper solve can be initiated soon.

 

Thanks to you both!

[sotopronl]

On 3/4/2025 at 5:22 PM, Pat Stanford said:

There is an Apple bug in OS14 that hinders VW. Especially on multiple monitors, Especially when the VW window is close to the edge of the monitor.

 

I solved my problem by upgrading to Mac OS15.3

 

But you can try moving your VW window about an inch from the edge of monitor and/or setting each monitor to have separate spaces in Settings.

Hey Pat, is there any news on Sequoia 15.3.2 and VWX compatibility?

 

Seeing as im still experiencing some of the issues listed above im thinking about updating, but dont want to be worse off.

[Pat Stanford]

That its the configuration I am running (VW2025 Update 3 soon to be Update 4) and 15.3.2 and I am not having any issues with the lag that I was seeing on the same hardware when running OS14.6

[sotopronl]

Thanks, I'll report back with any findings. 

[sotopronl]

So update...I think I found the issue.

 

I misplaced my Razer gaming mouse the other day and replaced it with a Logi mouse and the issue seemed to have gotten better. I assumed it was the new OS and Service pack. I ordered a new Razer mouse and the issues continued when I plugged it in. Sure enough the Logi mouse when being used doesnt create the same lag effect. Take a look at the video where I first show with a Razer mouse, then with a Logi mouse.

 

Razer doesn't really have drivers for MacOS + their mouses. What would be the best way to submit a ticket for this?

 

 

 

 

 

[rDesign]

You could also try a third-party mouse driver application like SteerMouse and see if that fixes your lag problems with your Razer mouse. Be sure to remove any Logitech or other mouse drivers first.

 

And beginning in MacOS Sonoma, there an option to disable “Pointer acceleration”, which might also be worth trying first to see if it fixes or changes anything.

 

Edited April 2, 2025 by rDesign

[Mark Aceto]

On 3/4/2025 at 2:56 AM, sotopronl said:

Hello all, long time lurker, first timer writer. I'm hoping to see if anyone has any suggestions on an issue I have with cursor lag.

 

When I change classes or layers I have a 3-10 second drag that hits my cursor. I also get this when changing properties of an object like fill, or pen. It isn't 100% of the time, maybe more like 15-25% of the time, but it certainly slows my workflow down significantly. It is more noticeable with large files, but also happens when working in smaller files that shouldn't lag at all.

 

It happens whether or not I have an external monitor plugged in.

 

Specs:

14 in, 2023

Apple M3 Max

64 GB RAM

MacOS: 14.6 (23G80)

 

VWX:

Spotlight 2025

Update 3.1

 

I'm also attaching a video as an example. This was a pretty extreme case as I was working in an architectural DWG import, but like I said, I experience it with smaller files too. 

 

I appreciate any help!

Impressed you got a screen recording of this! I haven’t been able to make heads or tails of what triggers this behavior but I have the same issue with my Finalmouse ULX. Not sure if my Razor DAV3 pro does it too (lives in my backpack for onsite work). I’m on macOS 15.4 but it’s been an issue for awhile.

 

Here’s the thing: this only happens with VW. 
 

I would love to submit a bug report but I need to be able to reproduce it (other than randomly), so I’ll test the triggers you mentioned above.

 

Edited May 24, 2025 by Mark Aceto

[Mark Aceto]

BTW for anyone following this that isn't experiencing the "lag", note in the screen recording that the mouse cursor (pointer) is moving around without any lag. Keep an eye on the VW cursor (crosshairs) that's slowly drifting across the screen independently at the same time. The best way I can describe it is I have to watch the VW cursor "catch up" to the mouse cursor. It starts off somewhere else, and then moves at a glacial pace across the screen to eventually meet the mouse cursor.

[Mark Aceto]

Common triggers (sometimes but not always), I've noticed so far:

• Switching to a new Design Layer
• Changing Design Layer Options (Active Only, etc.)
• Switching to a new workspace
• Changing attributes: line thickness

 

I'll continue updating this until I submit a bug report.

 

BTW I just discovered a great workflow for tracking bugs. Hit "Undo" and then "Redo" whenever it happens (as long as it's not a crash). Maybe that was obvious? 😅

 

Edited May 27, 2025 by Mark Aceto

[sotopronl]

On 5/27/2025 at 7:52 AM, Mark Aceto said:

Common triggers (sometimes but not always), I've noticed so far:

• Switching to a new Design Layer
• Changing Design Layer Options (Active Only, etc.)
• Switching to a new workspace
• Changing attributes: line thickness

 

I'll continue updating this until I submit a bug report.

 

BTW I just discovered a great workflow for tracking bugs. Hit "Undo" and then "Redo" whenever it happens (as long as it's not a crash). Maybe that was obvious? 😅

 

Hey Mark,

 

I havent had much drawing the last couple months, but now that I have another set of drawings to work on i've revisited this thread. An interesting note is that I have 2x razer mice and both of them act up with the issue above, but I have a wireless Logi mouse that works without issues. The annoying this is the DPI on the Razer mice are a lot better so it's easier to draw.

 

One thing I've done that seems to help is to set my external monitor as the main display in the display settings, then actually close my other laptop. Mirroring the screens seem to help too but not as much.

 

Still very annoying!

[Mark Aceto]

Been having this issue for the past 2 weeks while I'm working onsite with my Razer DAV3, so it's not just the Finalmouse ULX. It's absolutely driving me crazy, so I'll submit a bug report with a screen recording when I'm back home next week.

 

Not for nothing, my WFH setup is a MBP in clamshell mode but I also have a desktop PC, so I'll test that too.

[Mark Aceto]

onto my 3rd mouse, a WLMOUSE Beast X Max, and it's still happening, so this is definitely a VW bug (not a unique hardware issue)

 

been slammed, so i'll submit a VB this weekend or next week