Impict hidden objects not "X"ed out on re-edit

[robinh583]

If I "X"-out a callout in a picture and save it, it vanishes from the picture, which is fine. However, on re-editing the picture, while the callout is still invisible (good), the object list does not show the "X" over the callout that was disabled (bad). I have to click on each callout in the object list to figure out which one was disabled. Clicking the object to "X"-out the object again and the unclicking it makes it visible.

Shouldn't the "X"-ed out objects still show their "X"s when you re-edit it?

Thanks!

...Robin

[Martin Wynne]

Shouldn't the "X"-ed out objects still show their "X"s when you re-edit it?

Hi Robin,

I agree, it seems that the visibility icons in the object list do not get updated
when an .ipp file is re-opened.

However, putting everything in one .ipp file seems to me a confusing way
of creating multiple graphics.

Why not do Save As... to create a separate .ipp file for each one? Unlike H&M,
Impict has an MDI, so it's easy enough to copy and paste objects from one image
to another, if that is what you need.

ipp files are huge, but only on your computer - the end CHM is the same size
whichever method you use.

Martin.

[robinh583]

Martin...

I like the idea! I think what I'll do is create one IPP with all the call-outs, disable the call-outs on a case-by-case basis, and save each "incarnation" as a separate IPP.

When I first heard of layers, I thought it was like some CADCAM and graphics programs I've seen, where you can control the layers that are displayed when the image is referenced. This would be nice for H&M but I recognize that it doesn't store the image and layers in a way that would allow this.

Your solution is a fine compromise.

Thanks!

...Robin

[Martin Wynne]

Your solution is a fine compromise. Thanks!

Hi Robin,

Glad to help. I've never thought of Impict as having "layers" and I was
surprised when Tim used the term. Each object is effectively a layer in
its own right and can be moved forward and back, shown or hidden, etc.,
independently of all other objects.

If it was me I wouldn't simply disable unwanted objects in each separate
.ipp file, but actually delete them. I tend to regard the option of hiding
objects simply as a temporary aid at design time, so that you can more
easily see what you are doing. Leaving hidden objects in the final file
doesn't seem to serve much purpose - which is probably why the
programmer didn't think to update the object list to reflect them.

regards,

Martin.

[Tim Green]

Martin:

You're right, I tend to bandy the term "layers" around a little too liberally when talking about Impict. I suppose in absolute terms a real layer would allow you to have multiple objects on each layer. OTOH, PhotoShop's layers also really only consist of one object each...


Martin & Robin:

I agree, it would be nice if Impict saved the visibility status of layers. That's one for the Wish List section.