Online Help Won't Open (VW 2013)

[Datagrace 0]

Designer 2013 on OS 10.9.5, clicking on Help/Vectorworks Help returns an error message: 'An error occurred while opening the help system. The VW Help folder may be missing or contain invalid data. Please contact technical support for assistance.'

The VW Help folder exists, at the same level as all the other folders within VW 2013. Seeing this on 2 boxes.

The Search-- the one where you enter a string and an animation points to the menu or tool item-- works.

John Weinshel

[PVA - Jim 2,391]

Which service pack of Vectorworks 2013 are you using?

Adding your system and version information in your signature like mine will help future troubleshooting.

[Datagrace 0]

Thank you. I have added that info to my sig.

[PVA - Jim 2,391]

I believe this can be fixed by following the steps here:

http://kbase.vectorworks.net/questions/1236/Problems+with+Installing+or+Reinstalling+Vectorworks+AIR+Help

[Datagrace 0]

Thank you. That kinda works-- the help system is now installed, but runs as a separate app; there's no VW Help folder. Searching from the Help menu or using What's This still don't work, but I can open the Help app and find what I want.

[PVA - Jim 2,391]

I do not think there was ever a fix for it all the way in Vectorworks 2013 unfortunately, the problem cropped up (an issue with Adobe Air app signing) after support for 2013 had ended.

[Benson Shaw 579]

Stoopid Workaround:

Vectorworks 2013 includes a pdf version of Help, on MacOS it's in the Applications>Vectorworks 2013>VVWHelp>Additional Documentation. There are several pdf files: Design Series, Fundamentals, etc.

-B

[Datagrace 0]

Yes, they are also helpful. I'll call this problem solved.