Missing window: Shadow Settings

TIG

Hi,

For the last two weeks pressing the "Shadow Settings" button fails to bring up the window, just wondering if anyone else has seen this problem? It doesn't seem to be hidden.

Have you changed your screen resolution recently ?

Mra

No,

I can't remember what caused it either, I only thought it would happen once and the next time I'd reboot or start a new instance of SketchUp it would be back. But it seems to be like this permanently.

Even if I could see the title window I'd be able to right click and use the windows "move" tool but this isn't the case. Apart from total reinstall does anyone know how to reset the windows?

Gaieus

Try Preferences > Workspace > reset workspace. It will reset all your SU dialogs but you may be lucky to get the shadows back this way, too.

Mra

Thanks, but no such luck. Even removing all plugins doesn't work.

I think I'll just revert to a uninstall/deleteprefs and start again. Thanks for the suggestions.

TIG

If you feel brave run 'regedit' and go to 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\SketchUp8'
find the entry 'SnappyShadows' and change the values for x & y etc so the dialog appears when Sketchup next starts...
Try

Minimized=0
show=1
x=0
y=0

Mra

It's odd, no such luck. I even deleted the whole reg folder in hoping that Sketchup would regenerate it. Thanks for your help though.

Mra

Yes, for anyone else that may come across this problem in future, a reinstall will work

johnguzzi

I have the same problem. I have done all the above, plus did a re-install, and the problem still wont go away. Even if if click on the shadow setting button, it just pops back up again, as if it is ignoring me:( Anyone else come across this very annoying problem?? Please help! I am running SU8 on PC.

TIG

@johnguzzi said:

I have the same problem. I have done all the above, plus did a re-install, and the problem still wont go away. Even if if click on the shadow setting button, it just pops back up again, as if it is ignoring me:( Anyone else come across this very annoying problem?? Please help! I am running SU8 on PC.

Don't edit the Registry but close Sketchup and Run 'regedit'... and as mentioned in my earlier post, find 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Google\SketchUp8' and find the entry 'SnappyShadows'.
What are the x and y values ?
Post a screen-shot...
If you are confident try editing the values...

johnguzzi

@TIG
I'm not sure how to post a screen shot, so I'll try explain instead:

My registry shows the following:

default ....
show = 1
sticky = 0
x = 0
y = 42

I have reset them all to 0, and started SU. This does not solve the shadow box problem though. On return to the registry, it
would reset itself to the above values.
I notice the contents shown in the "SnappyShadows" of your registry is different to mine. Don't know if this matters?

TIG

Those values should work
Maybe you need to try a re-install...

Box

Don't ignore the one that Tig mentioned in his first post of this thread, check your screen resolution and position.
Windows can disappear off to the side, top or bottom if you have ever had more than one screen connected.

johnguzzi

I have followed EVERY possible advice in this thread, as well as anything else I came across on the web. NOTHING helps. Even the shadow setting button doesn't stay in, so no such panel even exists (hidden or otherwise) The ONLY other thing I can try is a complete Windows re-install, which I'm obviously not very keen on. Might it be a administrative / permission issue that causes the registry to reset back to the normal values?
If anyone can think of a solution NOT mentioned here, please let me know.

TIG

Have you tried messing with the OpenGL settings in the Preferences dialog.
There are various options, including switching hardware acceleration off.
Try combos of all of them and restart Sketchup each time and see what changes, if anything.
Does your graphics-card's control-panel allow Sketchup to adjust settings.
Have you tried setting Sketchup to 'run as administrator' etc ?

johnguzzi

Thanks TIG! Problem solved. I ran it as administrator and that sorted it out. What would the reason be for SU NOT to run as admin??

Im just soooo relieved I dont have to reinstall Windows!!

TIG

That really was my my last ditch attempt !

Thank goodness it worked

junojose

@tig said:

Have you tried messing with the OpenGL settings in the Preferences dialog.
There are various options, including switching hardware acceleration off.
Try combos of all of them and restart Sketchup each time and see what changes, if anything.
Does your graphics-card's control-panel allow Sketchup to adjust settings.
Have you tried setting Sketchup to 'run as administrator' etc ?

Thank you TIG.. Your last advice worked for me.. I ran the program as administrator & Viola! The window appeared... Thanks again !

Dave R

@johnguzzi said:

What would the reason be for SU NOT to run as admin??

That would have to do with Windows settings on your computer, not SketchUp.

JackStraw

@gaieus said:

Try Preferences > Workspace > reset workspace. It will reset all your SU dialogs but you may be lucky to get the shadows back this way, too.

Thank you for that.
My Entity Info window would not open completely, and I was unable to read the definition line. After being baffled for 2 days, I took your advice, reset the Workspace, and all was good again. Thank you for your 2011 answer as we approach 2013...