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toolbars
3

toolbars

toolbars

(OP)
My toolbars are constantly changing position on me.  Yes, sometimes I'm sloppy and drag them around, but, after I fix them, they seem to migrate again.  Can I select a default configuration that always appears, or is the structure of them contained in the files I create?

RE: toolbars

No default setup.  Setup your menus and settings, copy your CATSettings directory located in C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Application Data\DassaultSystemes
to a backup name.  This will ease the pain.

Regards,
Derek

RE: toolbars

(OP)
Thanks DB.  I appreciate the help.

RE: toolbars

Hi,

You can also create a script file which can first copy your CATSettings file from your back-up directory and then run CATIA.

Regards
Fernando

RE: toolbars

Why not create an ENVIRONMENT with default CATSettings, Shortcuts...

So you can clean user CATSettings when toolbar or something else is wrong.

Eric N.
indocti discant et ament meminisse periti

RE: toolbars

(OP)
I do use an environment.  I run a startup script with job appropriate standards and settings.  That's one of the reasons I'm getting confused by my toolbars moving around.  I can always reset to my intial configuration, but I can't figure out how I keep changing them accidentally.

Thatnks for all the help and advice.

RE: toolbars

Going one step further with the environment suggestion - keep 2 CATSettings folders - the default "CATSettings" folder created by Catia, and another for the specific version. (i.e. - CATSettingsR17)  Point your environment editor directly at the customized environment CATSettings.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Catia Design|Catia Design News|Catia V5 blog

RE: toolbars

To solve this thing via CatSettings is awful, close & open Catia on and on... Its sad that changing position of toolbars is property of CV5, because when I skip from Gen.Sh. Design to Part Design and then to Assembly Design every Design has its toolbars and some disappear. One solution is keep default toolbars on sides and specific toolbars flying...

RE: toolbars

solid - you are always taking it 1 step further.

RE: toolbars

Is that a good thing, or a bad thing? :D

I was also going to suggest that this whole toolbars thing may be a Windows thing, as I see the same thing in UG NX4.

Cheers, Derek...

-----------------------------------------------------------
Catia Design|Catia Design News|Catia V5 blog

RE: toolbars

(OP)
Thanks all, not only am I learning something but I got a chuckle out of DB's response to solid.

That's probably the best suggestion though, to make 2 folders.  I've tried flying specific toolbars, but frankly, I find that I don't like them in my modeling area.  I hadn't thought of this as a possible windows issue.  I'm running XP Pro SP2.

It is easy to reset the toolbars to default config, but upsetting that I have to do it at all.

Solid, you're suggestion also clears up another issue for me.  Someone else maintains the environment I use, but we all have access to it.  Could be someone is changing it on me.  A personal copy would do wonders for me.

RE: toolbars

I just noticed how many times I used the word "thing" in my last post! surprise

I hope that's not some sort of Freudian slip.  It's certainly bad writing. upside down

-----------------------------------------------------------
Catia Design|Catia Design News|Catia V5 blog

RE: toolbars

kbro151 - the settings are saved when you exit that last Catia window.  Are you working on local machines with the settings elsewhere? Mulitple users on your machine?  You should have your administrator set up the admin settings in Catia for R16
In the environment area he can set the CATReferenceSettingPath to a location on a server.  On the server make a directory for the admin settings of R16.  If a user deletes his/her settings, the server settings are the default.  You can lock settings as well.

Startup line for R16 admin -

"C:\Program Files\Dassault Systemes\B16\intel_a\code\bin\CNEXT.exe"  -env CATIA.V5R16.B16 -admin

Regards,
Derek

RE: toolbars

(OP)
DB-

I have my own dedicated machine.  I also am using a server based environment.  However, we're not picky about administrators.  We can all pretty much modify everything around here.  I simply haven't been using a local settings file.  I've only been using CATIA for a few months; my main concern has been finishing drawings/models and manufacturing parts.  I haven't been too concerned with the structure or settings of CATIA.  Now I'm getting to the point where I want to customize CATIA to the way I want to work.  You guys are getting me off to a good start with these forums.

RE: toolbars

Solid7,

Can you explain your 2 folders for CATSettings... I have some problem to understand what you call the default CATSettings folder created by Catia.

When I define an ENVIRONMENT I do not have default CATIA catsettings... I have my own CATSettings for the release I use and for the users working with that ENV. But nowhere I use default CATIA CATSettings, may be I am missing something.

Eric N.
indocti discant et ament meminisse periti

RE: toolbars

I always create a separate folder for each version that I install, even if it is only one version.  For example, I name R17 CATSettings as "CATSettingsR17".  I also keep the default folder created by Catia, called "CATSettings". (the default in the CATSettingsReferencePath)  If there is ever an error, Catia looks to the original folder, CATSettings.

And that was the point, Eric.  No, Catia does not have "default" settings - just an empty folder.  As long as it keeps getting pointed back to a folder that is empty, or has no write access, the user will not be able to save their settings.

It may be very different for you. (I don't know)  We are a small company with administrator access on all workstations, which sounds like a similar case to kbro151.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Catia Design|Catia Design News|Catia V5 blog

RE: toolbars

the point of the CATReferenceSettingPath folder is to store the default customized CATSettings. So users can clea (delete) CATUserSettingPath without changing the Ref. ones...

Having an empty folder for CATReferenceSettingPath is  what we call a 'vanilla flavour' CATIA. like out of the box... no configuration...no environment. which for me is a step backward (not further) from using an environment.

for kbro151 , when we define the default CATSettings for the CATReferenceSettingPath folder, we found that there is an order to make toolbars stay in position. But we do not use all workbenches, you might use some that create problem no matter what. Some toolbar are tricky like Graphical properties in Advance Meshing... But all in all we do not have to many problem with toolbar position.

Users usually clean CATSettings at least once a week...

I asked DS about having a CATSettings editor so we can fixe toolbar position... they say no, you have to use tools/customize/Toolbar/reset position...  which does not work at 100% (in R14) but it is getting better at each release.

Eric N.
indocti discant et ament meminisse periti

RE: toolbars

solid - we are setup very similar but I change the CATUserSettingPath to CSIDL_APPDATA\DassaultSystemes\CATSettings17
After I have my catia setup I make a backup copy of the CATSettings directory, eventually they corrupt.  In the case of corruption - delete CATSettings17 and replace with backup.

My reference path holds the admin settings, they are on a mapped server drive
w:\Settings\CATSettings_Ref17
All users environments point to the server for reference settings - for our work structure I must lock out settings.

Only draw back - the "W" drive must be mapped at CV5 startup.

Regards,
Derek

RE: toolbars

Quote:

solid - we are setup very similar but I change the CATUserSettingPath to CSIDL_APPDATA\DassaultSystemes\CATSettings17

I may have been unclear on this point.  This is the same thing that I do.  I just don't delete the folder called "CATSettings".

Quote:

After I have my catia setup I make a backup copy of the CATSettings directory, eventually they corrupt.  In the case of corruption - delete CATSettings17 and replace with backup.

Yep, roger that.  I seem to recall that I have to put the backup CATSettings in a folder ABOVE the path specified in the CATUserSettingPath, as I had some trouble in the past with CATSettings being found ANYWHERE under the specified CATUserSettingPath.

Quote:

My reference path holds the admin settings, they are on a mapped server drive
w:\Settings\CATSettings_Ref17
All users environments point to the server for reference settings - for our work structure I must lock out settings.

I've never changed the admin location.  Any particular reason you did this differently, other than to keep your settings safe from other users?

-----------------------------------------------------------
Catia Design|Catia Design News|Catia V5 blog

RE: toolbars

By default there is no admin location, you have to define it.

When you then start CATIA in Admin mode and modify settings, they will be saved in the CATReferenceSettingPath folder.

When user start catia the first time setting are read from CATReferenceSettingPath . Then second timethey are read from CATUserSettingPath .

I do trust (because my team create them) CATReferenceSettingPath CATSettings. I do not trust (because users works with them) CATUserSettingPath CATSettings.

Users should not duplicate settings folder and copy when corrupted, but delete all (some) of them and start catia again, missing CATSettings will be read form clean CATReferenceSettingPath .

We do not have time to support users custome CATSettings.

Eric N.
indocti discant et ament meminisse periti

RE: toolbars

Quote:

By default there is no admin location, you have to define it.

Oh yes - silly me. purpleface

Quote:

I do trust (because my team create them) CATReferenceSettingPath CATSettings. I do not trust (because users works with them) CATUserSettingPath CATSettings.

There is no reason in the world not to trust CATSettigns that are defined by the user, if the user creates them from an fresh session, before doing any work, and saves the backup right away.  They become questionable only after the environment has been in use for a while.

I've NEVER had any problems with my CATSettings.  But then again, I follow my own advice, and dedicate a block of time to doing nothing in Catia, but defining the settings that I want, and saving them.  If I have to redo some settings, I go BACK to the saved CATSettings, (which are faultless) replace the existing with them, and add my new setting changes.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Catia Design|Catia Design News|Catia V5 blog

RE: toolbars

Sarcastic7 - they (the admin settings) reside on a server.  Now I have 1 set that governs dozens of CV5 users.

RE: toolbars

Quote:

Sarcastic7 - they (the admin settings) reside on a server.  Now I have 1 set that governs dozens of CV5 users.

Sorry, Derek.  I wasn't being sarcastic.  Just plain ignorant, I'm afraid.

I don't administer other users.  Since we have multiple customers, in multiple industries, I leave settings up to each designer on each job, as we don't have full-blown processes.  Our customer requirements tend to be more more like snowflakes, and we need the ability to adapt to that.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Catia Design|Catia Design News|Catia V5 blog

RE: toolbars

KBRO151...

What is your screen resolution... We use 1280x1024 and I would not recommand using a smaller one...

What level of V5 are you using? Which toolbar is moving ?

Eric N.
indocti discant et ament meminisse periti

RE: toolbars

(OP)
I'm using 1280x1024 resolution and V5 R16.  My toolbars tend to slide towards the corners of the screen.  I've also lost some; the worst was the loss of my Product Structure Tools toolbar.  I couldn't find that one anywhere.  I tried everything but could not get it to reappear.  I turned off all the toolbars but that one and still couldn't find it.

If the toolbars are saved when you exit the last window, does it save when I exit my last drawing and again when I exit my last product, or just once when I exit CATIA?  Also, why is it that I can change the toolbars in a  part and then open up another part and find that the toolbars are different?  I'm trying to get a better idea of how the program is working.

RE: toolbars

(OP)
Sorry, I'm on V5 R16 SP4.

RE: toolbars

Catia saves toolbars on exit of the program.  If you are running 1280X1024 try using the small icons.  It has stabilized my toolbars.  Customized -- Options.

Regards,
Derek

RE: toolbars

(OP)
So if I change the toolbars in my part I should immediately quit CATIA.  This might finally be penetrating my thick skull.

RE: toolbars

Hi,

There is somebody else which is using your user in the same time?

Because if its closing CATIA after you and have different arrangement of the toolbars, its clear what is happening, isn't it?

Regards
Fernando

RE: toolbars

(OP)
No, no one is using my login at the same time.  We all run the same environment.

RE: toolbars

I have found that the worst (but not the only) cuplrit is the Visualization Toolbar - you know, the one that has Fit All In and Rendering Style.  This toolbar is very prone to pushing everything left of it further to the left every time you restart CATIA.   When I undocked that toolbar, the rest of them seem to stay in place a lot better.

Also, on the Reference Settings will take multiple paths.  The first path is the overriding path, with the second one only fixing those things that the first doesn't lock or specify, etc.   Setting your "safe" settings to the second folder, and then write protecting it, should help you when you go to delete your base settings. I believe (but can't verify right now) that the User Settings work similary.

I'm with Eric, when we have as many users as we do (~2000), then I never trust what the user has set up.  There are just too many settings and too many users - I can't keep up with it all.  We have provided them with a utility that will delete their settings whenever they want.

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