Vectorworks 2008 crashes when plotting with image fills

[josh3ber]

I just got Vectorworks 2008 for windows xp. I used image fills for a front elevation, showing stone, shingles and wood. I had GDI enabled to allow for some transparencies. When I went to plot on our HP Designjet 500, VW crashed. I tried 5 times. I ended up saving a screenshot and pasting it into Photoshop and plotting it that way. What should I do?

[Tim P.]

Try replacing all fonts with Arial. If that doesn't work, experiment with different fonts. Until VW is fixed, I'm limiting my selection of fonts. I have not had a crash since I've been doing this.

[josh3ber]

All of the fonts I use are arial. I don't think fonts are the problem. When I removed the image fills, I could plot. I'm assuming the image fills are alot to process for the plotter, like printing a high resolution photograph.

[Tim P.]

I have also noticed that an imported symbol that includes the scale of the drawing from VW12.5 is involved with my crashes.

[Guest]

If you are crashing, please include the specific error message you are receiving. This is important when attempting to diagnose the problem.

[Tim P.]

There is no message Katie. Perhaps I'm using the wrong term when I say "crash". VW instantly stops running when the problem occurs. I sent files and a bug submission earlier today.

[Guest]

Does it just disappear, or do you simply loose mouse function?

After printing, how long do you wait (if it doesn't disappear)?

Do you have the print spooling to happen in the computer and in the background?

Go to the printer driver details to find the details.

[Tim P.]

VW disappears. The printer feeds a sheet of paper. The printer driver (HP Photosmart 8000 Series (60.51.644.0)) shows no activity. Other programs run normally.

[Guest]

Try removing the printer and adding it back. It may be that the printer driver became loose along the way. (I realize this is only happening in VW - it's something worth trying)

Alternatively, do you have another printer you can try to test print to?

[Tim P.]

The same behavior occurs with my HP9800 printer.

Exporting to PDF results in missing text.

Hopefully the files that I sent to bugsubmit@nemetschek.net can duplicate the problem on your labs computers.

Let me know if you need more information.

Thanks for showing that VW is committed to improving it's products.

[josh3ber]

I'm also not getting an error message. Vectorworks just stops responding. I don't think it's the plotter since it works properly when I don't use image fills. Am I going to have to give up using image fills?

[Guest]

I can look into this next week when I'm back in the office. I've been traveling for the past week and don't return for another few days.

In the interim, please contact Tech Support at tech@nemetschek.net