Stager 3D Missing Scenes

[JAM1515]

I have a new issue that's popped up in recent weeks with Stager. After I'd worked on a file for some time, it seems to become corrupted. I can open the file but none of the scene objects show in the panel including cameras, mobiles, and lights. It's almost impossible to work on the file. It seems to happen to all of my files at once... I save several versions as I work and when I try to go back to a previous version, it has the same issue.

Here's a screenshot of what my panels for scene, actions, and properties looks like - it's just blank. https://share.getcloudapp.com/d5unAeRW

I also can't render and I believe that's because it can't find a camera or the current viewport. The button to render is disabled.

I can't be the only one have this issue. Hoping someone has figured it out.

I have tried opening from my local drive and reinstalling the app.

Any other ideas? 

Mac Monterey, files stored on google drive.

[JAM1515]

I want to add that the issue is not present when I start a new file. It's only with exisitng files.

[AEllard]

Hi @JAM1515! We are not able to diagnose working files directly on the forum website. Can you email the Stager scene file that you are experienceing trouble with and its log file to Substance3d-bugs@adobe.com so we can take a closer look. If the file is under 20 MB you can attach it directly to the email.  If it's larger, you can send via a file transfer link like Creative Cloud assets, Dropbox, We Share, One Drive, Google Drive, or similar.

[JAM1515]

Thanks - I forwarded the email. 

[Alexandre Becquet]

Hello, can share your system configuration?
Os, system, Ram, version and all you can share to us to try finding a solution.
Can you try to download the file on your local drive ? IMO working with cloud files is not the best way.

[JAM1515]

I did try locally without any luck.

macOs Monterey 12.6

2.4 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i9

64 GB 2667 Mhz DDr4

AMD Radeo Pro 5500M 8 GB

Intell UHD Graphics 630 1536 MB

The file sizes are around 300MB.

[Alexandre Becquet]

Thanks!

Why this you should be able to work smoothly !
Is it only on this file or every files ?

[zarrdave]

I'm getting the same issue on PC. Did you get the issue resolved and if so, how please?

[Eliot2558113459as]

I've been rendering product shots for months now with few issues. Today I was working on something a bit more complex and the same thing happened, I imported a new body and it didn't show up in the scene list. I then closed the file and reopened it only to find all items were gone from the scene list but still on the stage. Closed and reoppend again and got the same. I'm running a Mac Studio M1 Chip with 64 gigs of ram. I've done things this complex before with no issue. 6 Hours of work gone and I've got deadlines!

[Alexandre Becquet]

Hi, sorry to hear that! Can you open it on an another computer? If no, i can try to help you by rendering scene if necessary and in the same time i'll check if i can find a solution.

[Alexandre Becquet]

@Eliot2558113459as can you check the other post you did i put a solution to test.

[Eliot2558113459as]

I've gotten a bit better at lighting but I still can't set a reflective object on the ground without getting uneven light across it's surface from bottom to top. I'll check out the solution, thanks!

[zarrdave]

So annoying when that happens. Have you tired creating a new scene and importing the file into that? I've had that work some of the time. 

[Eliot2558113459as]

Ahhh, that's an interesting idea. I'll try that just for kicks. 

[Eliot2558113459as]

Just tried this. It brought 1 camera back but no bodys in the list and none of my colororization was still in place. I've had it remove color from imported files before but it would correct when I closed and reopend the file so I tried that and it took my camera away again too haha. I do think this is a proicessing thing. 

I wonder if importing other Stager files into a document creates an unusually larger file than normal? The file that crashed had maybe 30-40 individual bodys in it and didn't seem like it should have been 850MB compared to other projects that would clock in at 200-300mb. It didn't look THAT much more complicated than a few of the other things I've staged. 

[Alexandre Becquet]

Hi everyone! Today Stager in on version 2.1.3 Can you try this new one and tell us if the issue is the same?

[Eliot2558113459as]

I'll watch for the update and let you know. 

[Eliot2558113459as]

Hi, I ran the update and no change in the file when opened. 

[zarrdave]

Have you tried saving that new file and seeing if the file size is noticably different than the original Stager file? Shouldn't be much difference. Still doesnt help solve your problem though unfortunately.

I find the larger the file and more complex, the higher the risk of this happening. Going forward, it's best to save versions regularly to revert to a previous version for when this happens.

[Eliot2558113459as]

Woah! The new file that was created from importing the crashed one is 1.2 GB up from 850 MB! This means importing files DOES create superficial file size creep in the new file being created from the old ones. This is the root of the problem, I thought 850 MB seemd like a lot compared to what was being staged. 

OK, so beware importing too many models from previous files. I did this to save time but moving forward I'll build everything again from scratch if I'm doiung somthing a bit more complex. 

[zarrdave]

Yeah, that doesnt surprise me. I've got some working files coming in at 4.6gb that miraculously still load - albeit slowly. I've got 20+ files over 1.2gb that still load, 6 of those over 2gb. I've come to anticipate they'll crash so version control is key for when it does. Annoying, but essential for peace of mind. Try and import or clean up your models before importing too. Use low poly versions where possible.

Also, tip is to re-start your machine before working in XD so its a fresh boot up and close any unecessary programs.

Even those simple thing sometimes make a difference.

[Eliot2558113459as]

The lower poly thing is interesting. I'm using a Fusion 360 to Substance workflow and am new to it. I love it so far but there's a lot of nuance that I don't know yet. We're mostly modeling lab glass so most of the shapes are pretty simple, no heavy textures etc. That said I'll experiment with lowering the detail in the OBJ export from Fusion as well. Thanks!