Altium14 objects fade - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2016, 05:29:12 am
content: A small problem.I have been using Altium DXP for most of my design work.I also have a licensed Altium 14. I use it to import clients PCB files and output Gerbers for further processing and compatibility with current Altium format.Every now and then I try to use it to generate artwork and revert to DXP simply because in 14 when i select a component to move it or edit it, selected component disappears from view and I can not do much work without seeing it.Once the mouse pointer drops the component it is visible but might not be placed where it needs to be precisely.Need instructions or opinions as to what the problem might be ( Altium setting versus hardware compatibility.)

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2016, 07:30:46 am
content: I have see this happening in other older design (VB6 form designer) tools. In that case it is caused by changes in how newer versions of Windows buffer display updates. The only solution I have found was to use Windows XP or live with it!

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2016, 07:34:51 am
content: Yeah, this does sound like the "Windows buffer display updates" issue.Its an incompatibility between windows 8/10 and older software.I've seen very similar things happen in old software when i moved to win10 from win7

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2016, 08:26:53 am
content: I've noticed this on v16 with some component pads (during track dragging). Seems to vary by file, rather than by OS or driver quirks.Never seen whole components disappear though... especially when moving themTim

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2016, 08:36:31 am
content: Altium can do some weird things if you use onboard graphics or a shitty videocard.

author: Richard Head
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2016, 08:47:13 am
content: I find with Protel that when you select and move the component it disappears but as soon as you stop moving (but still selected) it for a second or two it re-appears.

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2016, 01:14:41 pm
content: Let me add Alltium14 is running on a Win7 machine

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 12:02:10 am
content: Time for a windows XP virtual machine

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 12:49:43 am
content: Try switching the desktop to Aero theme if you are not on it.

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2016, 11:03:09 pm
content: Switching to Aero did not help.I have an old Nvidia FX1400 card ( old and drivers no longer supported ) youngest driver at least four years old.Objects behave correctly now however every now and then the display goes black. A message saying the driver crashed but has restarted appears on the screen and Altium operates normally.Aknown issue something to do with driver / hardware not being able to keep up with required timing.I guess the next step is to get a more appropriate graphics card.

author: Christopher
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2016, 09:29:18 am
content: I have an ATI radeon HD5850 in my home pc, rock solid and only $50 on ebay