Basic options missing for smartshapes

[Monis06]

I recently upgraded to Captivate 9 and my basic styles for fill and stroke are gone. I used to have this issue in Captivate 8, but restarting the program usually fixed it. Not the case now. This needs to get fixed. Please!

[Lilybiri]

Which version of 9 are you using? The latest version is 9.0.2.437. Personally I cannot remember when that issue has disappeared, but didn't have that experience anymore since quite a while.

Do you clear the cache regularly. When it happens, did you try to reset the Workspace? If you are using the Newbie UI you have only the Classic workspace that can be reset.

When you upgraded, did you follow the Release notes: to clear the Preferences, delete several folders in Public documents?

[Monis06]

I am on version 9.02.437. I had that installed by our IT dept. this morning and it instantly started happening again. I do not clear my cache, as last time (back when I was still on Captivate 7) it completely destroyed my program and I had to have it reinstalled. Also, by reading other threads, this didn't fix it ether. Resetting the workspace does not work. Closing and reopening the program does not work like it did in 8.  I'd prefer not to reset my preferences, as I have quite a few, and reading in other threads, it did not actually work either.

Not sure where else to go with this. Any help is appreciated.

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[Lilybiri · Accepted solution]

I know from other threads that some of the solutions I proposed do work, but if you don't want to try them it is your choice of course.

Are you sure that the IT did clean the Preferences. It is essential for each patch and update. Clearing Preferences will reset to original settings. It can still be done by running the file 'CleanPreferences' which matches your OS, and can be found in the subfolder 'utils' of the installation folder of Captivate.  If you have a lot of customisation, there are ways to preserve them. Have a look at:

Captivate 8.0.1 Install? Keep your Customisation! - Captivate blog

If you never clear the cache you'll run out of disk space in the future.

Are the paths in Edit, Preferences pointing to folders on your system, not on a networked drive? Are they different for 'Publish at' and 'Cache'?

If you are on Windows, are you running Captivate as Administrator.

I do use Captivate daily, and I didn't have the problem you mention since months. That is why i strongly believe that not following the release notes when installing an upgrafe, could be the cause.

Last question: are you using the newbie or the expert UI (where you can create workspaces, undocking panels...)?

[Monis06]

I followed the release notes, and options seem to be back for the moment. Thanks for pointing those out. Our IT runs everything, so I have to admit I let them do their thing.

Hoping this lasts. Thanks for your help. I hate to admit, but It is not always a matter of choice for me, as I am at a financial institution and our PCs are locked down, which means I have to request senior approval to even get into my adobe Program Files.

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[RodWard]

Just wanted to pick up on your earlier comment that clearing your Project Cache on a previous occasion somehow wrecked Captivate so badly that it had to be reinstalled to work again.

If that IS the case then it would indicate Captivate was NOT installed or set up properly by your IT department. (Not unheard of sadly.)

Clearing out all folders in the project cache should have NO effect whatsoever on the functionality of the Captivate application itself as these folders are just the cached versions of actual project CPTX files.

I understand very well how many organisations lock down the end-user PCs and won't allow Captivate developers to set up their systems in the way Captivate requires.  But you can avoid a great many unnecessary issues by obeying the recommendations.  At least give the instructions to the IT guys beforehand whenever possible. At least it works out that they're going to be the ones that have to fix the issues they themselves cause if they ignore the recommended setup procedures.

[Lilybiri]

Thanks for clarifying, Rod. That was the reason I asked to check the paths set for Publish at and Cache in Preferences.