Odd problem... my property tab is locked, and will not unlock.

[Guest EnvisionMan]

I keep my Properties tab anchored on the left side of my screen so I can just hover over it and pull up my object properties. As you know, once your mouse leaves the properties area, the tab automatically closes.

 

When I want to fine-tune something and keep the tab open, I usually un-anchor the tab, and leave it floating in the middle of my drawing. When I am done editing the item, I re-anchor it. I have done this for many years with no problems.

 

Recently my properties tab has been acting up. When I tell it to un-anchor (by clicking on the auto-hide button) the properties window detaches from the side of my screen and places itself near the middle of the screen.

 

However, I cannot move it around. If I try to grab the outer edge of the window, a red crossed-out circle shows up, essentially telling me I am not allowed to do that. This has never happened before (that I can remember). I cannot move it anywhere. My only choice is to right-click on the edge and re-anchor it to the side of my screen... not what I want.

 

What am I doing wrong? Why cannot I keep my properties window open while I work on another part of the screen?

 

Thanks!

[BlackBox]

Consider the LOCKUI Sytem Variable.

[Dadgad]

RenderMan is right on the button, in the bottom image you can see the available options information.

You can also adjust these by right clicking on the workspace lock icon in the lower right corner of your screen.

Additionally, even when your workspace is all locked up, if you hold cown the CTL button, while grabbing the item you want to move, you can do so.

 

Have you ever considered, or tried using the QUICK PROPERTIES palette?

I use mine all the time, it can be floating or locked, static or cursor proximitied, auto collapsing or not.

It also offers the advantage of being customizable for virtually any type of entity.

So that no matter what type of entity you select, the information shown on the palette is all of the

information which you have specifically preselected for that type of entity.

 

If you right click in the border you can select CUSTOMIZE which will take you to the following dialogue where you can

customize all of those entity types as needed.

I find the regular PROPERTIES annoying, because so much of the information provided is rarely of interest to me,

so I have to dig through stuff I would rather not.

Edited August 3, 2012 by Dadgad

[Guest EnvisionMan]

That was it!!!! Thank you guys so much. I have never intentionally locked that... not sure how that happened.

 

Thank you again!

[Dadgad]

Check your WORKSPACE, maybe it has changed to another one which has all of the elements locked?

You might also want to check your workspace settings, to see whether it automatically saves any changes

to the workspaces, or not.

[BlackBox]

RenderMan is right on the button...

 

*Tips hat*

 

That was it!!!! Thank you guys so much.

 

You're welcome; happy to help!