Digital Workshop

I've got a strange problem that cropped up.
Have been using OpusPro v6 okay for a couple months on Vista HmPrem. Aero is turned off. Graphics and other drivers are up to date. I have not done any Windows OS updates.

The problem is that Opus is "missing" some Line Types. (where I select style of line and line width... the drop-down shows 4 line-types, then about 8 blank rows, then 1 type, then more blank rows. Maybe another type or two near the bottom.)

Where are the "LINES" kept (filename?), and can I simply restore them from an imaged backup... to the Program directory? Or would I need to modify the Registry? How?
- - - - - - -
What I've tried... to fix it.
- the Ctrl+Alt reset upon launch
- repair install
- uninstall, shutdown, boot and new install.
- uninstall, delete DW/Opus related files and folders (Progr files)
... that and also delete all DW registry keys
--- uninstall Nod32 security and try fresh installs.

I've tried some other things.
Several different Windows restore points. Setting new Directory for the Opus install. etc.

Opus seems to run okay, by I've not tested it thoroughly since this cropped up. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Lar,

The lines are in a file (thinks it's a text file) in the Opus directory. Have a browse and you should find it. But, this was an issue that arose a couple of weeks - maybe a month ago, for a user of one the other products - my old memory, I cannot remember which one - but i did download the trial version at the time and this was software problem - not a configuration one.

Mack

Mack,
That's a minor bit encouraging if true. I dread the path of pouring bleach over the harddrive platter and 'wiping' it... then doing waltz with Vista from scratch.

So, I've found a file:
"C:\Program Files\Opus Pro 6\Vectors\Styles\Pens.ini"
A quick look inside, and it looks like an intact INI file.

I'd have never thought to look under 'Text'.

It would be great to learn I'm not three step from the asylum imagining what's working and what's not.

I'm probably closer to going crazy than you are.
I've got the same missing line types as you have -- luckily I always use the default one

Paul

Sounds a little drastic.

I would REALLY recommend that you check out using MS Virtual PC. Build a base installation of XP & Vista and use something like 7-Zip to create a decent compressed backup. You can then trash the virtual OS to you hearts content.

If you need a clean version, unzip the backup and replace the virtual HDD. I have different set ups for different things - such as betas, XAMPP server (with moodle).

VPC will make use of your additional core(s) so you can run systems simultaneously.

Mack

I did get an email reply from DW that they know of the issue in a particular build and expect to take care of it in the near future (not their words, mine).

It's good to get that confidence, that it's not a system or configuration issue. I couldn't name how many things I tried on my own to fix it. A circus should be glad to have so many Hoops.

Now on the VPC... I'm glad you chimed in with that. My new laptop only has one HD so I wanted to do something beyond straight drive/image backups.

Morning Lar,

Glad the issue is being sorted. I'm like Paul, that I don't tend to use the different line types and hadn't notice this issue until a recent posting. I was interested to find how they worked though.

VPC is a great, and free, piece of software. I think that VMware is more powerful - but costs. The other choice is Virtual box but this is better for Linux and I had issues with W98 - which I have to use to evaluate our publications under for a client.

Your specification should be more than enough to handle a VPC - one core and 1GB for an XP / Vista installation will be plenty. In fact, our XP VPC runs better that it did on a standalone machine!

Mack

I've encountered another issue with my OpusPro v6 installation, or 'operation'. I'll include it here in this thread, as it falls under the topic of 'things that should be there, but are not'.

I cannot seem to Insert an image into an image object.
-- I can copy an image to the clipboard from elsewhere and Paste it into Opus.
-- I can create an Image Object using the toolbar, but cannot populate it from the Image tab of the properties dialog. Further, when Browsing for image files from there, NO image files show up (when 'type' is bmp, png, jpg, etc.)... and NO files are seen at all (when type is *.* All Files).

No reply from DW on this 'image' issue yet.

Now this is weird.
I went on to some other work in Opus. I have rolled back graphics driver, and reinstalled the updated driver again. Also, ESET Security is disabled.

For some strange reason, Opus can now find and apply image files to image objects. (tested on fresh Pub and on older pub).

[Edit] Well, I spoke too soon. Once again have lost ability to see or find image files. My guess is this is an issue when I have one or more Pubs open that were built initially on my WinXP system and copied over to Vista.

I hope not.

Can you install Opus on another Vista computer to see if the problems go away?
If you can post a simple pub that you know is faulty, some of us Vista users can test for the same problem.

Paul

Paul,

Hope. Well, I just created a new test Pub, and get mixed results. Initially, I can get to image files and assign them to ImageObject. However if in Browsing to some other directory, I lose ability to see file there, or even when going back to original location (logged-on user's desktop).

Sample pub: I started to prepare one. Will have to get back to it later, and post it.

So "Hope". I think issue is maybe not centered in a copied-over Pub (XP to Vista). But either that or Vista's method of User/ownership... may have contributed to me corrupting the Opus program.


Unfortunately, I don't have a refrigerator stocked with Vista boxes to install and test Opus on. I either have to rebuild this PC (and get forthcoming Opus update?), or buy a spare HD to build a fresh Vista.

- - - - - - - -
I may have caused myself some problems this way: [ quoted for easier read ]


Apologies for long-winded explanation.

Trying to make sense of VPC etc. Microsoft talks about it here and here.
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/pres ... ionPR.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/virtualization/solutions.mspx nice visual explanation

re: Mackavi
I am looking at setting VPC up. Or, alternatively Altiris SVS (now symantec). On VPC, any recommendations for HD partitions? ? I will have a 160GB laptop drive, and an external USB drive for drive-images/backups. I would take about 50GB of the 160, for a "D:" drive for data and downloads.

TIA,
Larry

Is virtualization limited to full versions of Vista Business and Vista Ultimate? I'm not sure if it works with OEM or upgrades of Vista either. Maybe Mack can enlighten us

Paul

Paul
from a licensing and marketing standpoint, there was some Press some time ago that MS was "opening up" Home/Prem(?) to use with virtualizations. On the links above, it seems "up to 4" virtual somethings "per node".

that would seem to say... it is also technically capable.

Good question on "OEM". As so many computer ship with Vista installed, and only the branded recover DVD (or none)... I hope an install is an install.

First off,

DON'T use a physical HDD partition to install the virtual OS unless you really know what you are doing!!!

Now a little more detail,

All VPC software that I've used (MS, VMware, VirtaulBox) works the same way. The VPC host software simply manages your VPC clients- but allowing you to run various VPCs from a control panel or change the OS settings of the client.

Each VPC has a VHD (Virtual hard disk) and whilst this can be a physical partition - it it much better to have a dynamic file as the VHD. Create a new VHD for each VPC.

This VHD will have the same structure as a normal OS on a HDD - get a hexedit and have a peek.

Now when you first run the VPC with a new VHD, there is no OS and you need to install one. Most VPC software runs in a window or full screen - and it's best at these point to use the window option as there should be various icons in the frame of the window that give you access to the VPCs drives. You can also force the VPC to access the hosts physical CD-ROM drive.

However, I simply have an ISO image of my OSs and drag and drop these onto the CD-ROM drive icon for the VPC. This installs the OS as you would on a physical machine. At this stage you will need to use special keys to switch between the VPC and host for mouse / keyboard control.

Once the OS install is complete - one of the menus on the VPC client window should be the option to install 'additions' - this is a software package of various drivers that allow you to have decent screen res / colour depth and allow you to switch between host / client keyboard / mouse as you would with any other program!

As for the software - I don't think you are allow to use a copy more than once, and some EULAs prohibit installing the OS on any other machine that the one it was purchased on but if you do buy OEM or download MS demos then these can be used accordingly.

I use MSs VPC and it has installed everything from Dos to Vista - all editions in between. One bored afternoon, years ago, I even managed to get Windows 1.0 up and running for a laugh! You can't install a 64bit on a host with a 32bit but the other way round works fine.

As for transfer of files, most VPC software allows you to map a network drive to the host or drag and drop. If all else fails create a an ISO image and access it this way. This is also a great way of testing installation discs if you need to create them.

The hardware for a VPC client does not have to be anything great. In the past I have run an XP client on an XP host with 1GB and a single laptop processor. As long as you use either the host / client at one time - then things move reasonably well.

Enjoy,

Mack