Hello,

I am having stability issues with showcase whilst working in particular with alternatives.

The two main methods for achieving complete locking up of the software are as follows, and I shall try to detail each:
1). switching between model and or positional lineups.
2). using transform drag handles to try and create positional lineups.

--- 1. So it seems it is possible to lock up the software by just clicking on a different model line up. I have three assemblies, One is omnipresent, the other two are mutually exclusive. I have a master lineup which contains all three, but this exists purely as a means to go back to zero so to speak, as sometimes the whole alternative thing can get a bit confusing… When I go from the first real scenario to the other one, the software locks up as I click on the alternative icon I am choosing. The tool tip stays in the foreground, and the software freezes. No amount of waiting brings it back…

--- 2. When using the transform handles with aforementioned alternatives, the software freezes. If I single click and enter a distance/angle, there is no problem, but if I free-transform (ie. drag) it freezes after a very small movement (~3degrees or so in rotation, 10mm in translation). Before making the alternatives, no such problem exists. And if I do not bring up the Alternatives ribbon, it seems I can transform to my hearts content. As soon as I bring the ribbon up though, and make the fatal error of clicking on an alternative, the drag handles result in a freeze (as does swapping between alternatives).

I seem to encounter some weirdness with regards to the “organiser” window, and how it behaves with the alternatives. Sometimes selecting elements within the organiser window and assigning them to alternatives works, sometimes not (perhaps this is normal, but i can’t for the life of me think why...). If I select an element within the organiser window, then try to transform it with the alternatives ribbon up, same result, crash.

I have tried starting a new model, applying no materials and I get the same crashing behavior as when the parts in my multiple assemblies are textured and have multiple materials assigned. This behavior is the same when using either multipurpose import tessellation or “high”.

I am using certified hardware (quadro600 - a bit weedy, but its on the list) with up to date drivers, I am using showcase64Bit SP1 on Win7 64Bit professional (up to date) on a workstation that can handle the software. I am using dual monitors so the organiser window is on the second monitor, not sure this is of any importance, but just figured I’d mention it....

If anyone has similar experiences and has found a workaround, I’m all ears, otherwise I would interested to know if there is any explanation for this as it renders the software pretty much unusable (at least for my current assemblies, I’ll try looking into using another model, and perhaps re-exporting the models in a different format, however this is a bit o fa pain...). It’s a pity because up till this model, i was really enjoying myself. And as luck would have it, this model/scene is of significant importance to my company, and as per the norm, significant urgency… hehe.

Thanks for Your time!

Bryan.