Can't change layer colors from black;PC7 on PowerBook OS10.4

[Derek Trost]

I recently discovered the 7.04 update for PC and installed it, after running into some zooming/re-drawing problems. (I had skipped the 7.03 update because of problems with fills and hatches on existing 7.02 files that ENSW was unable to resolve.)

The re-drawing problems disappeared, but...

On 7.02, I was fine with changing layer colors.

7.04: not an option.


-help?

[huc]

I have OS 10.5.1 and PCadd 7.0.4 (Build GJ17)

I'm able to set Layer COlor attributes correctly here

can you provide more information about your particular system
can you recreate the problem in a new, untitled, document

I realize it's not much help but something else might be going on

Cheers
Brian

[Derek Trost]

Thanks for the prompt reply, Brian, and for the "digging deeper" tips.

First things first: I am running the same PC7.04 build as you, but I'm on OS10.4.11. I am running a PPC G4 PowerBook, 1.25, 2GB RAM.


As it turns out, I can, indeed, change colors in a new document.

So, what about all of my exsting PC7.02 files?

Is there some setting that I'm missing? In spite of re-introducing the commands folder to my preferences, I've had to recreate a few. Could there be something that ought to be defaulting one way that I have set otherwise that affects this layer color business?

Again, thanks for your help.

Derek

[huc]

remember the layer color attribute is saved with the sheet setup. Try double clicking on a layer name and simply change it's sheet color to something obvious (red perhaps). '

It could simply be the sheet setup you've selected has the layer color attribute set - in turn you might be changing it, then grabbing the sheet setup again and that change it lost (unless you reset the sheet setup)

[Derek Trost]

Thanks again, Brian.

You were correct about Layer Attributes. The layer color was set to black on the layer I had open.

I checked all 80, or so, layers on the project, and about 3 of every 4 were set the same. --Keep in mind, I have never had occasion to open this attribute setting window.

ENSW: What's the dealio? Am I going to have to go through every single layer in every single project I have and check for this --then de-select the Color box-- in order for my projects to function?

That, of course, is a pretty unappealing solution.

--Actually, now that I'm typing this... I do recollect opening this Layer Attributes window before. It was when I tried using the infamous 7.03 upgrade!!

- - -

Okay: I checked my Inbox and found --from Sept of '06-- the email thread from ENGSW indicating that this was precisely the same problem I had then. (I know: memory, where art thou? --Perhaps graciously discarding the unpleasant scenario?)

Unfortunately, I also discovered why I abandoned the 7.03 upgrade: Not only would I have been required to perform the above-mentioned chore, but I would also have to re-set every sheet after re-setting the layer attributes.

aaarrrrgghhhh!

ENGSW, are you listening? I have 13 projects currently on the virtual drawing board.

That's ...well, "...a lot of unpaid, unpleasant and unproductive messing around" would be a nice way to put it, I think.


In '06, Mike Cleveland went so far, in the end, as to evaluate one of my files, and manually perform the fix.

Here is the email he sent me at the time:

Derek,

We had an error in sheets with PowerCADD that we have corrected. Unfortunately we have no automatic way of correcting existing sheets in a drawing. Sheets now store all layer attributes except scale. I have corrected your drawing and will attach it here. What had happened is that all of the layers in all of the sheets had a layer color of black set. I selected each sheet then selected all of the layers in the drawing and hit the edit button in the layer window and made sure that the layer color check box was not checked or had a dash in it. Then immediately reset each sheet. This will correct the problem on any drawing you have that is affected.

Oh the thing substituted a font when I opened it so you will have to reset that font.

Thanks,

Mike Cleveland
ES


What I'm re-living, at the moment, is the complete and utter amazement that this casually proffered solution seems to ENGSW to not be any big deal, at all. I was busy as all get out and knee-deep into a permit set when this bomb was dropped over a year ago. This happens to be a lot less crazy time of year in this business, but good grief! Am I alone in considering this a maddeningly time-consuming "fix"?

I was pleased as punch to discover the 7.04 update (which, by the way, ENGSW never bothered to inform me of, but perhaps they knew better! .

Now, frankly, I'm frustrated and remembering why I spent a bunch of time shopping around for other CAD software, about a year ago.


d i s a p p o i n t e d .



sorry for the rant.

-to anyone demonstrating the fortitude to make it this far: thanks for your consideration...

[patrickm]

[Derek Trost]

Thanks for the cogent suggestion, Patrick. --and the good wishes!

I'll email a link to this thread to Mr. Cleveland and we'll see...


Derek