Undo (Command + Z) Causing Vectorworks 2025 to crash regularly.

[IainSmalls]

Hi Hive Mind.

I am currently trying to generate a drawing for a client and every time i use the undo command it is causing vectorworks to crash. While this isn't everytime the command is used, it is persistent and only when this command is used. This has meant several lost hours having to redo do work. and frustrating now having to Command + S to save more regularly.

Is there a fix known, or a patch coming to fix this?

Cheers,

Iain

[Pat Stanford]

I have not heard this reported before.

 

Is it only in a specific file or is it VW in general? 

 

Here are some standard troubleshooting tips to try:

 

1.  Check if the same issue occurs in a new blank document.  If the issue does not exist, import half the layers (with the objects) from the problem file. If the problem exists then you know know it is with that half the layers.  Repeat with a smaller number of layers.  If the problem doesn’t exist import the other half the layers and see if the problem exists.  Sheet Layers can be manually created in the new file and then viewports and objects Copied/Pasted into the new file. Bring Design Layers in before moving the Sheet Layers and Viewports.

 

2. Run the Vectorworks Updater (in the Vectorworks folder in Applications folder). Click on the Advanced button on the right center and then choose Repair. Let this run and see if it solves the problem.

 

3. In Vectorworks Preferences click the Reset button at the bottom left.  This will clear everything in your preferences except your serial number, so you will have to set things back to how you like them. Restart VW and see the problem is fixed.

 

4. Make sure you are not running any "helper" apps that might be interfering with VW.  One way to check is to boot into "Safe Mode".  On a Mac, "Turn on or restart your Mac, then immediately press and hold the Shift key until you see the login window. Log in to your Mac. You might be asked to log in again. On either the first or second login window, you should see “Safe Boot” in the menu bar." Check and see if the problem is gone. If not, then quit VW and restart in normal mode. If the problem is solved then check and see what apps are started a boot time that could be causing problems and turn them off. Anti-Virus software is also a potential source of issues.

 

5. In Vectorworks Preferences:User Folder pane click the Reveal in Finder button to see you user folder in the Finder.  Go back to VW and quit.  Rename your user folder. Restart VW.  It will create a new User folder for you.  Check if the problem is solved.  If it is not, quit VW, delete the new user folder, and change the name back on the original folder.  If the problem is solves then you have to decide what information you need to copy from the original user folder to the new one.

 

6. Uninstall and reinstall VW.

[Flair-Studio]

Hi Pat,

Recently happening to me as well: it happens randomly, every now and then when I hit undo it jumps back 20 to 100 commands and most annoingly I can't hit redo. I was searching this thread from 2016 until I saw your post on the forum:

 

 

This is a known issue and what was suggested back then was to clear all preferences. I will try to go through all steps you suggested tomorrow.

Many thanks as always

Federico

[E|FA]

I would suggest you have Autosaves turned on so you don't lose work.  My preferred settings are every 30 operations and don't confirm before save, and I have Maximum Number of Undos also set at 30.   Both of these are found in VW Preferences

[SGNLE]

Adding to this thread that this has been a persistent issue for me as well in 2025 across all service packs to date. The behavior is random and will be fine for days and occasionally undo dozens or more steps in a single undo, with no ability to "redo". Just now in a uniquely bizarre instance, it not only un-did well over 100 actions, but undid actions before my last manual save, which I haven't seen it do before. I would really love to figure out what is causing this without fully re-setting all of my document and workspace preferences.