Vanishing Sheets & Effects

Sigmus

Hello, I just purchased the software and I am enjoying it so far. However I keep having this issue of my "Lakes" sheet vanishing when I open a file. Occasionally, it's still there but the effects are gone and anything I placed on the Lakes sheet is pushed to the front of the map overlapping Trees, hills and towns that once sat lakeside; even more paradoxically it sometimes happens after I redraw the map, forcing me to delete the lakes and recreate the surrounding area from scratch.

Monsen

Are you sure you actually placed the lake on the correct sheet?
Empty sheets don't survive the saving of a map (even if they are assigned effects), so if a sheet disappears when opening a saved file, it is usually an indication that the entities were not on the correct sheet to begin with. Same issue if it happens when you redraw the map. The way CC3 works, to make the program work smoothly, entities are not drawn in the correct order until you issue a redraw. That means if you draw a lake, and then something on top of that lake, it will look ok until you redraw the map. Once you do that, entities are placed in the correct order, so if the lake was not drawn on the correct sheet, it will now appear where it is supposed to be (based on the sheet it is actually on, not necessarily where you want it)

One important thing to realize about the sheets is that the drawing tools usually select their own sheet, so even if you select another sheet before you start the drawing tool, it will default to the sheet specified in the drawing tool. If you need something to be on another sheet, the quickest is usually to use change properties on the entitiy immediately after drawing it, and then specifying the sheet to place it. There is also an option in the drawing tools box where you can turn off the behavior, but usually, it is way quicker to work with this on.
Also remember, you can always check which sheet something is on by using the LIST command (From the Info menu) on the entities.

Sigmus

Thanks Monsen, I double checked using the list command. And yes, the Lakes are on the Lakes sheet. yet it still occurs.

Monsen

Hmm.. Strange.
Ok, just to get this out of the way to ensure we talk about the same thing; You are aware of the difference between Sheets and Layers, right? (Layers are a logical organization, sheets determine what will appear on top of what).

Where is your lake sheet placed in the sheet order? I cannot think of a single thing that would get the sheet to completely disappear if there is actually something on it, but if entities appear in the wrong position in the drawing order, it is usually because either they are on the wrong sheet, or the sheet is placed in the wrong spot in the sheet order. Since you confirmed the lake is on the lakes sheet, have you checked that the lakes sheet are in the appropriate spot in the sheet order, and not at the very bottom?

Sigmus

I am aware of the difference between Sheets and Layers in CC3, though I will admit I don't know how to use Layers.

My sheet order is:

COMMON
SEA
CONTOURS(SEA)
SEA FEATURES
LAKES
LAND
CONTOURS LAND
LAND FEATURES
POLITICAL BORDERS
..etc
Basically Default other than the added lakes sheet.

Monsen

According to your order, the lakes sheet is before the land sheet in the drawing order, which would cause your lakes to disappear because it is covered up by the entities on the land sheet. This doesn't explain the problem you describe earlier however.

Could you share an .fcw file where this happens with us? (If you don't want to post it publically, you can put it in a whisper to me, that way only me, Ralf, Simon and a few moderators can see it)
Then I can have a look at the map to see if I can see something (Unless Ralf beats me to it)

pdj

Effects like edge-fade can make polys seem to disappear if you get the values wrong, I've done that myself more than once. Next time your lakes vanish, it'd be an idea to turn the effects on the lakes sheet off via the checkbox, then redraw to see if they reappear.

Sigmus

Sorry for the delay, I had to run abouts.

Here is the FCW file in question. any tips you can give to help me solve the issue would be invaluable.

Shessar

Sigmus, the large lake and rivers are all on the Rivers Sheet. The smaller lakes are all on the Rivers Front Sheet. There is nothing on the Lakes Sheet.

This is no doubt what is causing your problem.

Sigmus

Interesting. They appear to be on the Lake's sheet on my end; Most likely i made a mistake!

But thank you all for your assistance! it's so nice to find an online community that's so civil and mature.

JimP

type the word list

Then select the lake. A small window will open showing you what sheet and layer the lake is on. Along with what color, fill, etc. is used for the lake.