Update 21.12.2011
Astute Graphics is confident that this issue has been resolved with the release of VectorScribe version 1.2.
If you experience the Filter error message, please install the free upgrade.
Many thanks to all users who kindly provided essential feedback which allowed us to eventually track down the cause.
Update 09.12.2011
Astute Graphics currently has a new stable Beta build of VectorScribe for MacOS which appears to permanently fix what turned out to be an outside influence on the plugin. If you have come across this issue, please contact us. Thanks!
Original article follows…
A very small percentage of users of VectorScribe who operate on Mac OS with Adobe Illustrator CS5 have experienced the following error message window appearing on virtually every click in the artboard:
If you find this error occurring, there are two solutions which have found to work:
- Download and install the CS3/4 version of VectorScribe into Illustrator CS5
- Re-install Adobe Illustrator CS5 and then re-install VectorScribe
Of these options, (1) is the quickest and found to be a consistent solution. As of VectorScribe version 1.0.2, this solution is officially supported by Astute Graphics. The Mac OS VectorScribe CS3/4 plugin officially recognises that it’s being installed in the CS5 environment with its inverted Y-axis co-ordinate system, which is automatically corrected. The only difference in operation is that anti-aliased Dynamic Corner annotations are not present in the CS3/4 version of the plugin (see example illustration, below).
Note: when using the CS3/4 version of VectorScribe in Illustrator CS5, you may wish to disable to the Align to Pixel Grid option when defining a new document or via the advanced Transform panel option when creating Dynamic Shapes or Corners. If enabled on a dynamic object, the Align to Pixel Grid option option may move points automatically, thereby removing the dynamic status.
I think I might have solved this elusive little problem without having to revert to the cs4 version. (I need my pixels always aligned)
Repairing permissions and zapping the PRAM didn’t work for me either so I tried something else.
I noticed that dragging plugs in and out of the plug folder was uneventful except for Vectorscribe – it always asked for my password to modify it. I never thought about it until today and I’m like – wait, that must be it!
So I ‘got info’ on the .aip file – unlocked it and changed all of its permission sets from ‘read only’ to ‘read and write’ and Illustrator works great again
So far of course – but it makes sense to me that it might have been what it was.
Hope that helps,
// jayse
Hi Jayse,
Many thanks for this suggestion! We are starting to discount any issues of interaction with onOne and AlienSkin’s plugins following a couple of recent reports from kind users, so this is definitely one to test. If any users can help confirm this by posting on this blog, it would be very much appreciated.
Nick
Hi Nick
As you know I have had this issue recurring after thinking it was fixed. I have tried the PRAM reset again with success then again without success after another recurrence. I tried the permissions repair with no luck either but then tried removing plugin from folder, testing illustrator which was again fine, simply dragging plugin back to folder manually and it seems to be okay again. Could it be an issue with the installer?
If I can help with logs or testing again let me know
Derek
Hi Derek,
I’m glad it’s OK again. As discussed, your machine seems to be susceptible to this issue even though your colleague’s isn’t. There remains a question of interaction with the onOne and AlienSkin plugins which use the same security system as ourselves.
However, in the latest release (v1.1.1), the installer was changed to ensure that the permissions were set differently (and arguably, more correctly). This seems to have solved the issue to for the majority of users who originally found this problem (which was previously still only around 5% of customers).
It’s interesting that manually dragging the plugin in and out of the folder should have any effect. If anybody else who is still affected by this Filter error message in VectorScribe v1.1.1 can replicate this fix (we are only aware of one other customer who experienced this issue following the latest release), please let us know.
Best wishes,
Nick
I’m getting this error in CS4 – Anyone else had this happen before?
Hi Matt,
Yes – I have seen this reported once before. It was fixed by repairing disk permissions (see http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1452 ) and/or resetting the PRAM (see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379 ). I hope these are of help.
Nick
Hi jayse,
Incredible, it worked this way;
1. Went to Adobe Illustrator 5/Plug-ins/ and moved the VectorScribe.aip to Desktop.
2. Opened illustrator, no VectorScribe found and no error.
3. Quit illustrator
4. Dragged Illustrator 5/Plug-ins/VectorScribe.aip back to its original location
5. Opened illustrator and all working with no errors.
thank you for your suggestion.
Camilo
Camilo
Hi coolmilo,
Thanks for posting the update and corroborating Derek’s method. It’s appears to be completely illogical (as to why it would remedy any error) but seems to be a nice and simple fix.
If a third person can verify this method, we’d love to hear and add it as an “official” solution, whilst we keep looking for a more permanent fix.
Best wishes,
Nick
Thanks Nick, repairing my disk permissions did the trick. Didn’t need to reset my PRAM.
Glad that worked for you Matt!
I have tried all the solutions listed above to no avail.
Have tried both CS5 and CS3/4 versions, issue still exists.
Tried the moving, repairing permissions and zapping the PRAM. I did reinstall it once (CS5, 1.1.1) and it appeared to work, but the next time I relaunched AI, it reappeared. The only thing I haven’t done is a reinstall of AI. I am not inclined to do that at this point since AI isn’t the problem, nor has it been.
After initially purchasing it, I had no problems for about a week, then the error appeared after a computer restart.
Very frustrating. I fell in love with this plugin right away, and find it very useful, but have been unable to use it now for several days.
Help? Other ideas? Update coming soon?
Scott.
Hi Scott – please can you contact us directly using astutegraphics.com/contact/ and quote your invoice or license key number in the form? We haven’t heard of one case where none of these fix the issue and it would be good to learn what other plugins are present on your system.
Thanks!
Nick,
Thanks, I sent you that info via the contact page. No other plugins running in AI. (Well, Phantasm). Look forward to your response.
Thanks!
Scott.
Hi Scott – we have already responded to your direct message this morning. Please confirm if you have not received?