topic Re: Lag and UI flicker with Trace Reference in Modeling

Lag and UI flicker with Trace Reference

JohnJay — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 16:58:29 GMT

Can someone check this pls so I can understand if it's something on my end or if it's some kind of bug, or expected behaviour.

The attached file is very simple - just some intersecting circles on a hidden layer and shown as Trace Reference

With the TR active (circles layer TR), use the magic wand tool to create fills or a slab in one of the sections created by the intersecting circles

On my machine the Layer button on the Info Box starts flashing for a while, then the Magic Wand pre highlight appears and finally the fill appears, but there's a few seconds lag.

Is it working smoothly with you?

Re: Lag and UI flicker with Trace Reference

Barry Kelly — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 01:04:00 GMT

Your view for circles reference has a 'Custom' layer set.

You should never use any settings that says 'Custom'.

Change that to a layer combination that shows the circles.

Now try and it should be better.

There will still be a lag because it needs to find the circles in the trace reference.

If you simply turn the circles layer on in the main plans (and turn the trace off) it will be instant.

Barry.

Re: Lag and UI flicker with Trace Reference

JohnJay — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 08:10:15 GMT

Thanks for taking the time to try this.

I wasn't aware of the "no custom" anything so will keep this in mind in future.

I made a layer combo for just the circles but I don't think it makes much difference. Still lots of flickering and lag.

Does the 'Layers' button on the Info Box start flickering when you use the magic wand tool (with TR on)?

I get that there is no delay when TR is off. I have several issues like this when using TR so I'm trying to understand if it's performance related or if it's a bug.

In a scene with only a few circles I wouldn't expect any performance issues

Re: Lag and UI flicker with Trace Reference

Barry Kelly — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 08:26:49 GMT

Yes I had the flickering of the layer name as well when the view was set to custom layers.

As soon as I set it to a layer combination that had the layer for the circles turned on flicker went away.

But there is still a lag for the fills to appear.

That is just because you are using a trace reference of a view that is using different settings to the plan view point you are placing the fills in.

Trace has always slowed Archicad down as it has to think about 2 different view settings at the same time.

Only turn it on when you need it.

Barry.

Re: Lag and UI flicker with Trace Reference

JohnJay — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 10:49:35 GMT

OK I made layer combinations for both the reference layer on its own, and for the 2d view without the circles, and now I think it's working per your comments - no more flickering and shorter lag using the magic wand tool.

I tried this on a more complex scene with my usual workflow using an image file as my background (Trace Reference) and although I don't want to cry victory just yet, I think making sure there are layer combinations for all views (not 'Custom') makes a big difference to performance.

I'll report back once I've tested it a bit more but so far so good - thank you

Re: Lag and UI flicker with Trace Reference

Barry Kelly — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 11:44:30 GMT

If you are magic wanding to a view of the same storey, don't bother using trace reference.

Just turn the layer on that you want to magic wand to (layer with circles in this case).

Magic want the fills and then turn the circles layer off.

It will be much more responsive.

Barry.

Re: Lag and UI flicker with Trace Reference

JohnJay — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 11:21:25 GMT

Sometimes the extra TR options (transparency/change colour/lock layer to background/auto fill transparency etc) can be useful and that's why I prefer to use TR if possible but yes, just hiding/unhiding the layer is much easier on performance

Hopefully setting layer combos as you suggested will help

Re: Lag and UI flicker with Trace Reference

kristoftihanyi — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 10:32:10 GMT

I just had this issue, and I found that turning off Snap Guides and Points and guide lines while trace is on solves the problem.

Re: Lag and UI flicker with Trace Reference

yeahright0 — Fri, 03 May 2024 01:28:38 GMT

Thank you so much. I came across this post after experiencing the same issue myself and turning off the snap points and guidelines when using TR has solved it for me.

Re: Lag and UI flicker with Trace Reference

MetalFingerz — Thu, 23 May 2024 19:00:12 GMT

Sorry to dig up this old thread but I was having an issue with a Trace Reference slowing down my drawing and noticed my layer set was custom. Setting it back to a named set solved the issue as you stated. I was just wondering what was the reason behind this ?

Thanks.

Re: Lag and UI flicker with Trace Reference

Barry Kelly — Fri, 24 May 2024 01:17:12 GMT

Having a Trace Reference active means that Archicad is potentially having to do twice the work (turn it off when you don't need it).

Once to display the current viewpoint and again to display what you want in the trace reference.

If the TR is using different settings to the current vewpoint, it will take longer.

And if you have 'Custom' settings then it may take longer still as Archicad sorts out what it needs to show.

'Custom' settings are fine while you are just looking at something on screen, but now views should be saved with 'custom' settings for anything.

Barry.