Red ‘X’ symbol error after updating to Windows 10 October 2018 Update version 1809

After installing Windows 10 October 2018 Update version 1809 you might get a problem with a white box with red borders and a red ‘X’ like below screenshots show.

UPDATE January 22, 2019: KB4481031 Preview of Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.7.2 for Windows 10, version 1809 and Windows Server 2019 seems to solve this issue.

In SSMPropEditor it can happen using some of the commands that will open a file dialog box like open, export, import.

It can also happen in JTB FlexReport and other apps both by us and others.

Clicking on Details in the error dialog box may show something like this.

“System.InvalidOperationException: Visual Styles-related operation resulted in an error because visual styles are currently disabled in the client area.
   at System.Windows.Forms.VisualStyles.VisualStyleRenderer.IsCombinationDefined(String className, Int32 part)”

Technical problem description

“WinForms applications may have problems rendering the application UI and instead may render a white screen with a red ‘X’ symbol. The issue is caused by a change in Windows 10 October 2018 Update that exposed a bug in .NET Framework 4.7.2. The issue is caused by a change in Windows 10 October 2018 Update that exposed a bug in .NET Framework 4.7.2. The Windows 10 October 2018 Update adds a new flag to VisualStyle state when the application UI launches a child dialog (i.e., a FileSaveDialog or PrintpreviewDialog) that causes .NET Framework to fail its VisualStyleState check and thus throw an exception while rendering the application UI.” ref

Solution

Microsoft’s .NET Framework 4.8 Early Access Build 3707 fixes the problem.

“Fixed VisualStyle property in Winforms, is checking for supported values (by Winforms) and any value that goes outside of this range, Winforms throws an exception. Winforms also checks if the VisualStyle property set is supported by Winforms when it is using this property and does no-op if it is not supported. Underlying native method we use to set visual styles does not care what the value for visualstyle is being passed to it. Making this change will align Winforms code with windows and does not throw exception but still validate supported visual styles when using this property. Removing the validation condition while setting this property. [578093, System.Windows.Forms.dll, Bug, Build:3621]”

Download links for .NET Framework 4.8 Early Access Build 3707 can be found here.

• .NET 4.8 Web Installer – requires an internet connection during installation
• .NET 4.8 Offline installer – can be downloaded and installed later in a disconnected state

A .NET 4.7.2 servicing fix for this will be released by Microsoft in near future and will also be included in the next version (4.8) of .NET Framework.

No more 32-bit AutoCAD from AutoCAD 2020 and on

According to this knowledge base article AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT 32-Bit will be discontinued in upcoming AutoCAD 2020.

“Over the past several years, Autodesk has reduced its support for 32-bit systems which are low in memory and result in a poor drafting experience and high crash rates. Starting with the next annual release of AutoCAD, there will no longer be a 32-bit offering for AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT and Developer Products.

By eliminating use of this outdated technology (and focusing on 64-bit solutions), we will be able to provide our customers a better AutoCAD experience and focus on delivering more value to our subscribers.

If you are currently running 64-bit AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT: There is no action for you to take and you will not be impacted by this change.

If you are currently using 32-bit AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT: Customers who are currently using 32-bit AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT can continue using their current software without any issue.

You can choose to stay on your current version of AutoCAD and/or AutoCAD LT or upgrade your OS and hardware (to take advantage of future releases of AutoCAD and LT that will only be available as 64-bit).”

JTB BatchAttEdit 2.5.2 - Batch Attribute Editor for AutoCAD

JTB BatchAttEdit 2.5.2 has been released.

This batch attribute editor app for AutoCAD collects attributes in all blocks of specified name patterns in multiple drawings and display in a wide spreadsheet. Then you can edit attribute texts as easy as working with Excel. Once done, click "Apply Attribute Changes" to update values to drawings.

This makes it a great app to for example edit title block attributes across many drawings instead of having to do it one drawing at a time.

If you want to export the attributes to Excel use the "Export - Import" button. Optionally you can make modifications in Excel for example with help of functions and formulas and then import back.

Try it for free by downloading from JTB BatchAttEdit.

JTB Layout Palette 2.1 released

JTB Layout Palette 2.1 is released.

Manage drawings with many layouts easier in a palette.

Run command LAYOUTPALETTE or click to the ribbon panel to Show or Hide the Layout Palette. You can quickly browse for layout, add, delete or edit name like working on a spreadsheet. This app is for you when there are too many layouts, or the layout names are too long to effectively work with out-of-the-box in AutoCAD or BricsCAD.

Quickly show only the layouts you want to see with filters.

Edit layout names

Moving and Sorting layouts

Free trial version available that works for 30 days.

JTB Sheet Set Publish 2.2.1 released

JTB Sheet Set Publish 2.2.1 has been released. It is an app for AutoCAD that publishes sheets in Sheet Sets, layouts in other drawings, folders or drawings in DSD files to files like PDF and DWF. The files created are named as you want based on a naming formula that you specify. Use date fields and/or sheet properties of your choice to build up the output filename.

JTB FlexReport 11.2 released

JTB FlexReport 11.2 is released. There are a few new features as well as a bunch of bug fixes. See the version history for details.

The upgrade is free of charge for customers with active maintenance. If the maintenance has expired please contact us to renew.

Free trial of JTB FlexReport is available.

Do you wonder what JTB FlexReport is? JTB FlexReport is a license usage report tool for applications licensed using network license systems like FlexNet, IBM LUM, DSLS, SPLM, Sentinel, LM-X, RLM among others. Track usage over time, hours used and much more.

If you have FlexNet licenses check out our JTB FlexReport LT freeware that has been updated to version 1.7.

SSMPropEditor 7.0 released

SSMPropEditor 7.0 is now available.

For details on this release see the revision history.

You find the download here. If you purchased on or after November 1, 2017 the upgrade is free of charge. Trial for 30 days is available.

Edit properties on multiple sheets belonging to Sheet Set Manager (SSM) for AutoCAD, GstarCAD and BricsCAD, NanoCAD Plus/Pro or AutoCAD Architecture's Project Navigator (PN) Sheet Set View with ease. If you want to change properties like a revision, date or name on two or more sheets at the same time SSMPropEditor is for you. Your productivity will increase and you will save time avoiding a lot of manual work.

Sheet Set Properties, Sheet Set Custom Properties, Sheet Properties and Sheet Custom Properties can be edited and bulk updated.

If you are using Sheet Sets you can create new Sheet Sets including drawings based on an Excel template with our JTB Sheet Set Creator or make merge, purge and convert with JTB DST Tool, DST Converter, or publish with JTB Sheet Set Publish.

JTB Sheet Set Creator 2.4 released

JTB Sheet Set Creator 2.4 got some improvements and fixes.

JTB Sheet Set Creator is an app for AutoCAD that creates new Sheet Sets and Sheets based on an Excel template.

If you are using Sheet Sets you can make batch edits of properties with SSMPropEditor or make merge, purge and convert with JTB DST Tool, DST Converter, or publish with JTB Sheet Set Publish.