Digital Workshop

Is there any way to restore an imp file that won't open in Opus Pro 04? I spent a couple of hours working on an Opus Flex publication from scratch yesterday that now won't open. Neither the Backup nor the Auto save is helping. When I try to open the file I'm told that an autosave exists and asked if I would like to apply it ... but whether I choose yes or no, I'm told that Opus needs to close. It is a straightforward text, text box and variable only publication with no additional resources.

Do I have to start again or is there some way to restore the file? I'm using Opus Pro 04 SR3. (Cue sound of gnashing teeth...)

Andrew --

Sorry to hear your new presentation won't open. I'm going to let the pros at DW address this on Monday when they are back in their offices. This doesn't sound good, and probably means all three files are corrupted. While we are waiting for the "official word," I thought I re-mention something I do as an additional precaution to the Backup and Autosave files:

Click the Open file icon at the top left in OPUS, and you'll get a Browser which shows the IMP files in your currently selected sub-directory. Find the latest version, then do a RIGHT Mouse Click. This will open a drop-down menu which, if you have WinZip (or some other zip tool) installed, you will see the option "WinZip" which you highlight and additional options appear. The second option will automatically give the new Zip file the name of your selected Pub (Ex: MyPub.zip). Just click on it, and WinZip zips a backup copy.

If you had done this, you could Extract the saved file, and it would have saved you all this hassle. I use this procedure after major changes to any publication. You can also use your own naming convention and save multiple previous versions -- just to be sure.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for a DW "miracle solution." While you wait, try this: Use your Windows Explorer and go to the sub-directory where your Pub files (IMP) are stored. Find the file with your Pub's name plus "Thumbnails.dat" (Ex: MyPub_Thumbnails.dat). Delete this file. I've had thumbnails go crazy, which messed up OPUS trying to open the source code. Then, if you are successful in opening your IMP file, OPUS will re-create the Thumbnails.

Hi Fred

Thanks for the tip about creating extra zipped backups. Now I've been bitten I'll certainly implement something along those lines. It is a shame, though, that it is necessary. Opus Pro 04 SR3 does seem a bit flaky in a way I haven't experienced before.

I'm getting a little fed up with clearing the registry, losing all my settings and reinstalling every time there is a non-reproducable glitch. It doesn't fill me with confidence for the people who will be using the final publications.

Recent probs:

Corrupt .imp file for very simple publication regularly saved.

Existing single exe publication suddenly can't print txt documents when upgraded to Opus Pro 04 SR3. Has no problem with objects or printing a page (screen dump). Message is sent to printer (dialogue pops up) but no print emerges. Tried different computers and different default printers to no avail. It doesn't matter whether the txt file is directly referenced or called from a variable, the printer never gets it.

Font selection going haywire in a Flex publication. One font shown as selected in drop down box - entirely different, never selected font suddenly appears in publication and cannot be changed except by closing down opus and deleting page.

Hoards of ogg vorbis files that I created because they are supposed to play with 04's inbuilt player (rather than using DirectX) seem to need DirectX after all or they can't be heard.

</grumble>