Drawing disappears when manipulate bones tool chosen

[Jonathan_Machen]

I'm having this issue: after creating a character, separating out the elements in each layer (everything is within a bone layer) and adding bones, when I click on the 'manipulate bones tool', the drawing disappears and all I can see are the bone strength shapes.

At first I thought I didn't have the proper association between the vector layers and the bone layer. but when I collapse the bone layer, all subsequent layers disappear.

If anyone is willing to help I would appreciate it. I'm stumped.

By the way I am following a very inclusive and informative tutorial by a chap named Dale Amigaman. He recently posted this tutorial about creating characters which I found on the Anime Blog.

[Genete]

If you can share the file, it would help on discover the problem. Meanwhile we can only guess:
1) The bone offset makes the layers go to other place.
2) Some times, bones with strength = 0 (all bones) makes the layers go to infinite when the bone setup is active.
3) All layers are bound (and offset) to a bone that is out of visibility
-G

[sbtamu]

Have you zoomed way out and see if the drawing is misplaced? Sometime when I import images or move them in or out of layers they get moved off the visible screen. Sometimes they will be so small you can hardly see them or it will be way off the screen.

[Jonathan_Machen]

If you can share the file, it would help on discover the problem. Meanwhile we can only guess:
1) The bone offset makes the layers go to other place.
2) Some times, bones with strength = 0 (all bones) makes the layers go to infinite when the bone setup is active.
3) All layers are bound (and offset) to a bone that is out of visibility
-G

- Looks like I am not making the errors you mention here, so still not sure. Regarding the other comment about the drawing being on the visible screen - yes, it is, so that's not it, either. Not sure how to share the file but I will try to do so. I appreciate the help, thank you

[Jonathan_Machen]

I put the file here:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/eyeshg

[heyvern]

I couldn''t open this file. Your bones got really screwed up I think. In the file format the bone lengths were discombobulated and had values of "nan". After fixing the lengths (I set the broken ones to 0.2 length) I was able to open the file but it made no sense to me as far as bone placement.

This could be why you are having trouble with the file. Or possibly it got corrupted when uploaded?

I would suggest starting over. Delete all the bones (bone select tool, select all, delete) and start from scratch with that bone layer.

-vern

[Jonathan_Machen]

Thank you very much for checking. I decided that I needed to create a new file, but since I didn't want to lose my work, I copied all the vector layers individually and made sure they were placed correctly within the bone layer. It took me about an hour but I now see I can manipulate bones.

- Jonathan

[sbtamu]

I have had this happen a few times before and like Vern said deleting the bones and re-rigging always fixed it and I removed animation from document. But when I get this problem I usually get an error message saying something about point can't be reached or something like that.

Any way; all fixed?

[Jonathan_Machen]

Any way; all fixed?

Yes, I hope so - now to try rigging the bones again, at least I can see the drawing once I 'manipulate bones'. But I am a beginner with this software. I am VERY encouraged with the ready help to be found here, so I won't pull my hair out so much, knowing that I can seek advice once I've exhausted the various manuals at my disposal.

A few comments. Genete, I enjoyed your description of what makes a good animation on your blog. And sbtamu, I think the Acme Monster machine is funny. Jonathan