Missing Text in Xara File

Good day everyone,

I have an issue I can't seem to solve. After a Windows 10 update, all of our Xara files are missing text. It isn't a missing font issue, the text just isn't in the file. Changing the view to wire frame shows no text.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled Xara Designer Pro and have the same results.

And some files when I open them throw and error - Internal program error 697.w.fo.se

Has anyone experienced this and if so, how do I correct it?

We're going into a production cycle with tight deadlines and need to figure this out.

Thank you,
Carl

Hi Carl,

Likely not related, but Microsoft is working on fixing the Creative Update (and some other OS versions) due to font issues. But that issue, as far as I know, has to do with fonts installed as a shortcut versus actually installing them. At least I haven't gotten any feedback from MS about other font issues such as yours.

The OS isn't going to delete text, though. Can you share a file? If you cannot share either publically here on the forum nor privately via a PM, consider filing a bug report on xara.com and providing one such file.

Mike

Oh, and the file isn't actually missing the text. I can open the same file on another computer with everything as it should be, text and all. It's something to do on this one specific computer.

Thanks!

I'm happy to share the file, but the text will be in it when opened. It seems to be this one computer.

Here's a sample. It's an Ad. Top graphic is just bitmap. Below it is the actual Xara graphic.

Ah. Thanks for the additional info and yep, a file probably doesn't make sense then.

I suppose you've done the cold reboot (actually shut down and restart)? The run as administrator thing?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RedWombat

Here's a sample. It's an Ad. Top graphic is just bitmap. Below it is the actual Xara graphic.

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Yep, text is there.

Try the couple things I mentioned if you haven't already.

Mike

Yes text is there but much of it has been converted to shape & is therefore no longer text.

Thanks! I've done a lot of what you suggest. I'm removing all Xara installs off the computer. I wish uninstalled programs would clean up after themselves!!! I'm manually deleting left over folders and going through the registry removing Xara items. Would be nice if it did it on it's own. I'll let you know the results in case someone else has a similar issue at some point.

Well, still have the issue. Thought I had it fixed, but it didn't stick.

I uninstalled all Xara products, deleted folders, cleaned up the Registry - Reboot computer - Reinstalled Xara Designer Pro - Ran the updates - Tested by opening the file - Excited, text was in the file!!!

However, I rebooted the computer and tested again once rebooted . . . . Text is missing again!!!

What the heck . . . something with the reboot caused the issue Again!!!

If anyone from Xara is in here, do you have any recommendations??

Thanks,
Carl

Working on the font short cut thing you mentioned Mike.

Ok, so I found the issue and solution. It is the font short cut issue you reported Mike. For others who might have this problem I'll post how resolved it.

On the computer with the issue the text in our Xar files using fonts that were short cuts through a font management utility was gone. We were unable to know what the font missing was. Just and empty space in our file. We had to open the Xar file on another computer to get the font name that was missing. Once we had that, here's what we did to correct the missing text.

First, the issue is with a recent Windows 10 update. Microsoft has changed how it uses linked fonts and by default turns them off. You have to re-enable them if you want to use them, you need to explicitly set the Windows Font options to allow shortcuts - Control Panel > Fonts > Font Settings > Check the box - Allow fonts to be installed using a shortcut.

That doesn't totally solve the problem however. After changing that setting you will need to uninstall all font shortcuts and reinstall them. Once that is done the missing text will show again in the Xar file.

It isn't easy to see what font is a shortcut and what is not in Windows. I hope this might help someone with the same challenge.

Carl

Glad you found the culprit, Carl.

And a little update from me, too Carl.

OK. If one finds that text is unavailable or that font shortcuts are apparently missing after a reboot or a wake-up from a suspended state, a subsequent reboot is suppose to restore them. So sayeth MS anyway. However, I have read some reports that this resolved it and others that it didn't. I would assume different font managers deal with the shortcuts differently than others.

However, Microsoft is aware of the issue and is working on a fix. That fix didn't arrive at the this Patch Tuesday's build, but there is hope it'll be worked into next months build.

Mike