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General => Terragen Discussion => Topic started by: dpcole72 on January 03, 2016, 09:56:27 AM

Title: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: dpcole72 on January 03, 2016, 09:56:27 AM
On a newly recently computer with Windows 8.1 64-bit, Terragen 3.3.04.0 will freeze (task manager "not responding" for 30+ minutes) if I go to a file open or file save prompt.  All HDDs have enough space, ensured all network drives were connected (disconnected drives can cause long delays), am unsure why this is happening. 

Am I the only one having this problem?

Thanks!

Update - I thought the problem was fixed after removing a GUI skinning app.  Didn't help despite some initial perception of success... :(
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: WAS on January 03, 2016, 01:15:13 PM
Is your shell modified?
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: Oshyan on January 03, 2016, 10:10:48 PM
Strange. That's certainly not usual behavior and we haven't had a single other report of it that I'm aware of. It doesn't matter where you're trying to open a file from? What about use of the Recents menu? It sounds like TG is having difficulty interacting with your file system or Explorer instances, which could suggest some add-on like a shell extender (e.g. thumbnails for RAW image files), or some other Explorer-related modification or process. I presume you don't have this issue with any other software?

- Oshyan
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: bobbystahr on January 03, 2016, 11:33:59 PM
I've had a situation for a while since I accidentally down graded my computer where I can open a .tgd by double clicking in explorer,and it will open but hang till I click the screen anywhere and the spinning wheel comes up and soon the project. I think this is likely a computer deficiency on the part of the dell box though in my case. Can't open from Recent on file open at all...dunno why.
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: WAS on January 04, 2016, 03:50:55 PM
Quote from: bobbystahr on January 03, 2016, 11:33:59 PM
I've had a situation for a while since I accidentally down graded my computer where I can open a .tgd by double clicking in explorer,and it will open but hang till I click the screen anywhere and the spinning wheel comes up and soon the project. I think this is likely a computer deficiency on the part of the dell box though in my case. Can't open from Recent on file open at all...dunno why.

Have you done this while something else was recently open? I have encountered similar after Terragen has crashed, and the RAM has not been released. Or I just closed a program like After Effects or Cinema 4D that had previously locked up a good portion of RAM as well.

Even with Terragen, if it crashes, and I reopen and begin working, as soon as the RAM gets to the point it had initially been at before the crash, it will crash again.

I made a shortcut pointing to "%windir%\SysWOW64\rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks" (Windows 7 64-bit only!) and this solved the problem, leading me to believe Terragen isn't handling RAM that well. Previously to finding this RAM flush tool, I had to restart, which also fixed the problem.
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: bobbystahr on January 04, 2016, 06:21:50 PM
hmmm, I'll look into that RAM flush tool, I run Win7Pro64bit
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: Dune on January 05, 2016, 03:18:22 AM
RAM flush tool, could you elaborate a bit? I've seen some software doing this, downed but never installed. This seems small and indiginous. You can run it while apps are running?
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: bobbystahr on January 05, 2016, 07:54:06 AM
Quote from: Dune on January 05, 2016, 03:18:22 AM
RAM flush tool, could you elaborate a bit? I've seen some software doing this, downed but never installed. This seems small and indiginous. You can run it while apps are running?

Go here and scroll down
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/clear-windows-7-cache/
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: Dune on January 05, 2016, 09:04:17 AM
Thanks Bobby!
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: bobbystahr on January 05, 2016, 10:35:50 AM
Quote from: Dune on January 05, 2016, 09:04:17 AM
Thanks Bobby!

It's the most I could do, heh heh heh
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: WAS on January 05, 2016, 05:59:55 PM
Yeah it's a built in procedure. It kills idle tasks which have been schedules for closure, but aren't, or are stuck. It also wipes the free RAM just in case. Shouldn't affect programs in use.
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: dpcole72 on January 13, 2016, 03:19:41 PM
Quote from: Oshyan on January 03, 2016, 10:10:48 PM
Strange. That's certainly not usual behavior and we haven't had a single other report of it that I'm aware of. It doesn't matter where you're trying to open a file from? What about use of the Recents menu? It sounds like TG is having difficulty interacting with your file system or Explorer instances, which could suggest some add-on like a shell extender (e.g. thumbnails for RAW image files), or some other Explorer-related modification or process. I presume you don't have this issue with any other software?

- Oshyan

Thanks for responding!   

I've only had weird file open/save issues with Terragen ("TG3").

I did try to repeat the problem on another PC:  On my other PC, which I installed TG3 on, which also has the GUI-skinning apps installed, I've had no problems.  Whatever is going on is specific to one PC.

Only when I load a file from file->open do I run into problems.  File->Save can be problematic too.  If I double click on a tgd icon it loads perfectly.  When saving, going to the file->save prompt causes a lock up.  Ctrl-S to save usually works...

I'm going to reformat the problem PC and all should be well after that.  Wanted to get back to this thread and say thanks for responding and stuff. :)
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: Oshyan on January 15, 2016, 07:50:58 PM
It certainly sounds like a strange problem. I would check the Windows system logs to see if there are any indications of data access or permissions issues. Also check for any shell extensions like right-click menu expanders, or additional file preview/thumbnail handlers, etc. (though of course reformatting will get rid of any of that anyway).

I hope the reformat helps. Let us know if not.

- Oshyan
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: kvasibarn on May 08, 2018, 11:50:21 PM
I have the same problem in the latest version of Terragen 4. (4.1.21)

1. I have to relaunch Terragen from the recent shortcuts (rightclick on taskbar icon of frozen Terragen) to open a file.
2. Saving works but freezes the program. So I have to redo step 1 to continue working on the file.

Unfortunatly I can't save clip files as the save dialog does not open before the program freezes. :/
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: WAS on May 09, 2018, 04:02:43 AM
I wonder if this is related to a similar issue where when I open files Terragen freezes for a good moment before opening the file. Similarily, Terragen freezes the first time I insert a clip file or object for a good moment. After that though if I insert another clip file it's basically immediate. Terragen isn't crashing though, it's just slow and loading files, and for the first clip file or object load.

This seems to be new behavior. I don't remember this, even on my ancient machines on the past with TG2 and decade+ old CPUs.
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: pokoy on May 09, 2018, 07:34:53 AM
Quote from: WASasquatch on May 09, 2018, 04:02:43 AM
I wonder if this is related to a similar issue where when I open files Terragen freezes for a good moment before opening the file. Similarily, Terragen freezes the first time I insert a clip file or object for a good moment. After that though if I insert another clip file it's basically immediate. Terragen isn't crashing though, it's just slow and loading files, and for the first clip file or object load.

This seems to be new behavior. I don't remember this, even on my ancient machines on the past with TG2 and decade+ old CPUs.

Update: I tried translating and rotating the sphere to the same settings as the texture translations myself but there still seems to be shape changes. Not sure I'm doing it right though.
Sounds similar to my issues on different dual CPU machines:
https://planetside.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,23504.0.html (https://planetside.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,23504.0.html)
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: kvasibarn on May 10, 2018, 05:34:00 AM
It does sound very similar. At first I had no issues (January 2018), then it suddenly started taking longer and longer to open files, now it just freezes and I have to use the taskbar shortcuts to open scenes. Doing it this way the scene opens in an instant.

I am using terragen a lot, its basically my full time job on this project and I really enjoy it, but it makes this issue more than just a simple annoyance.
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: pokoy on May 10, 2018, 07:01:05 AM
Both of you should probably report this in the support section. In my case, Matt offered a remote session so he could investigate it on my PC since it's not reproducible on their machines. However, I still haven't managed to find a good time for this due to heavy workload, maybe one of you can help him to get this resolved.
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: Oshyan on May 10, 2018, 11:29:42 PM
No need to re-post about it, we watch all threads in all areas. The different sections are just to *generally* keep things cleaner and more well organized. We will move or split threads as-needed as well.

As for the issue, we're back on the case and have a lead to follow involving localization. kvasibarn, are you on a non-English version of Windows or using a non-English keyboard layout?

- Oshyan
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: WAS on May 11, 2018, 12:44:29 AM
I myself have many languages installed and international keyboard layout enabled.
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: Oshyan on May 11, 2018, 05:29:30 PM
Erm, and are you encountering these specific kinds of errors WAS?

- Oshyan
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: WAS on May 11, 2018, 10:48:19 PM
Quote from: Oshyan on May 11, 2018, 05:29:30 PM
Erm, and are you encountering these specific kinds of errors WAS?

- Oshyan

As I noted, may be similar. Opening Terragen/Projects freezes on latest version. Adding clipfiles or objects presents the same freeze. The only difference is I recover.

Though after a clipfile or object is added, adding any further clipfiles or objects, no matter size, are almost immediate.
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: kvasibarn on May 14, 2018, 12:58:45 AM
Quote from: Oshyan on May 10, 2018, 11:29:42 PM
kvasibarn, are you on a non-English version of Windows or using a non-English keyboard layout?
- Oshyan

I am on windows 7 Enterprise, I use english Windows and Keyboard layout, however my company is japanese so there could be something to do with that still(?).
Title: Re: Terragen freezes at file open/save prompt
Post by: WAS on May 14, 2018, 01:48:12 PM
Quote from: kvasibarn on May 14, 2018, 12:58:45 AM
Quote from: Oshyan on May 10, 2018, 11:29:42 PM
kvasibarn, are you on a non-English version of Windows or using a non-English keyboard layout?
- Oshyan

I am on windows 7 Enterprise, I use english Windows and Keyboard layout, however my company is japanese so there could be something to do with that still(?).

There's been note of foreign characters in filenames that TG doesn't like to handle correctly. Likely this could also interfere with parsing if special characters are used within notes inside TG, not sure.