Properties Window Blank

[Bd_Blues]

Howdy all

 

 

In both ABS 2006 and AutoCAD 2006 when a try and open the properties window for an object it is blank. I have tried several ways to open including dbl clicking, right click and command line. All files are having this problem. PLEEEEEEEEASE HELP

 

 

 

Thx Rob W

[vasqrainier]

just calm down... just reinstall the cad...then me if still thesame...

[CarlB]

Set PICKFIRST to 1

[mattwsp]

have you definately got all the option menu's open, you can close the menu's so that it looks like there is nothing to select, there is a little arrow in the top right area next to the group (General, Geometry etc.).

[fuccaro]

just calm down... just reinstall the cad...then me if still thesame...

My advice is the same. Insert the install CD and choose REPAIR. This is what I did once and it fixed the problem.

Probable you will wish to save your customizations first...

[Ted B]

I experienced the same problem as described here. AutoCAD was working fine and then for no apparent reason I was unable to display object properties. After trying a Repair and complete New Installation, I determined the problem may not be with AutoCAD. I then did quite a bit of research and found many recommendations, but no real solution. However in the process I stumbled across a couple useful snippets of information.

 

Here is what AutoCAD has to say about it:

 

~~

You add a folder path to the support file search path on the Files tab of the Options dialog box, or you install new add-on software. The next time you try to run the Autodesk software, you receive an error message about files that cannot be found or invalid files. Also, certain commands and routines no longer function.

 

The support file search path is stored in the Windows registry as a text string, with each path separated by a semicolon (. This registry entry for support paths is also shared by the Windows operating system. The problem occurs if the combined support path is very long (over 800 characters).

~~

 

 

You can identify AutoCAD's search path usage by typing the following into the command line:

 

(strlen (getenv "ACAD"))

 

However this won't identify overall usage, just AutoCAD usage only. My AutoCAD returned a value of just 131 characters.

 

 

I suggest to download an environment editor such as Rapid Environment Editor:

 

http://www.rapidee.com/en/download

 

(Note... This is my first post here and the forum won't allow me to hotlink it)

 

 

Before making changes to environment path variables, I suggest to make a backup using Rapid Environment Editor's "File>Backup.." option.

 

You will see most of the Windows "System Variables" and "User Variables" paths are in long path name format. I suggest that you expand each variable and convert to short path name wherever possible (Edit>Convert long path to short). This will reduce the number of overall environment path characters and may get you within the 800 character limit as required by AutoCAD.

 

There are other methods to further optimize path strings, but this worked for me and is a good first start.

 

Ted

[fuccaro]

I found that installing SolidWorks after AutoCAD created that problem (the blank properties window). SolidWorks also can open and edit AutoCAD dwg files, probable that is the origin of the problem I had.

Our IT guy found a way, he deleted a file, I think. But next time we faced with that problem, he just reinstalled AutoCAD.

[Ted B]

I found that installing SolidWorks after AutoCAD created that problem (the blank properties window). SolidWorks also can open and edit AutoCAD dwg files, probable that is the origin of the problem I had.

Our IT guy found a way, he deleted a file, I think. But next time we faced with that problem, he just reinstalled AutoCAD.

 

Yeah, I suspect that by installing SolidWorks, the program added it's own search path variables, increasing the total character count beyond AutoCAD's functional limit. And since the registry is a very dynamic database, it's possible you may have been on the edge of Autocad's published limit.

 

I recognized this as the cause of my problem since I also had installed unrelated software between AutoCAD sessions, resulting in increased environment search path variables and character count.

 

I simply shortened all Windows environment path variables to short format to reduce the overall character count. On re-launching AutoCAD the property window was immediately available.

 

Note, based on information from AutoCAD, a non functional property window is just one of many symptoms of this problem.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

"Save" Info...

 

I forgot to point out in the previous post that you must "File>Save" for changes to apply, otherwise they will be lost. Then relaunch AutoCAD.

Edited July 19, 2010 by Ted B
"Save" comment added...