Weird InCopy Problem/Bug

[RabelS...@adobeforums.com]

I setup an InDesign project file (created on a Mac) for InCopy (on a PC). I created the assignment file, exported the stories, added them to the assignment, and then updated the assignment file through InDesign. When the InCopy user opens up the assignment file, some of the stories are unavailable for check out. There is a pencil mark next to the story and a red circle next to it. When I go back into the Indesign file and check the assignment, I noticed all the stories are checked in. Why is it that the InCopy user is unable to checkout those stories?

Some trouble shooting steps I took:
1. Recreated assignment file and stories.
2. Deleted InCopy preferences folder on the PC
3. Opened up individual stories and check them back in
4. Disabled all master page links
5. Both programs have latest updates installed

After completing the trouble shooting steps, the problem still persists.

Any solutions would be great.

Thanks,

Rabel

[RabelS...@adobeforums.com]

[Anne-Marie Concepcion]

In InCopy, does the red circle have a question mark in it? That means the linked story is missing.

You might have exported the story to your own hard drive instead of the server.

AM

[RabelS...@adobeforums.com]

AM

HI Anne-Marie,

The red circle does have a question mark in it. They do seem missing, but actually they are there.

The stories are exported onto the server. We work from the server. I go there and I can see the story files. I can open them up individually in IC and they work fine that way. But when they are linked to the assignment file, they appear missing when the IC user opens the assignment file in IC.

It’s a weird situation. I’m fluent IC and ID and never have seen anything like this.

R.

[RabelS...@adobeforums.com]

Another thing...

When I open the IC Assignment file in IC on a mac, it works out okay.

R.

[TPL_Pro...@adobeforums.com]

I seem to be having a similar problem, Just trying to test Incopy for a publishing company. Designers on a Mac, Editors on PC. It seems some stories are not checking out. Trying to save time by checking out all stories at once, IC comes up with an error saying that file is already in use by that user (same user trying to check out that file, no one else ie Joe is trying to check out file IC says Joe is already using that file).

Note: PC is using windows XP and the server is windows based

Why is this happening??

[WY Wong]

Our organization just bought InCopy CS4 and InDesign CS4. We got the same problems which mention above. How to slove it?

[Anne-Marie Concepcion]

Strange. I can assure you that for the vast majority of users, this doesn't happen.

If IC or ID says a story can't be checked out because it's already in use, then that means for some reason an .idlk (lock file) didn't get deleted from the server when the story was checked back in by the previous user. The lock files get created and deleted silently by ID and IC behind the scenes (in the same folder as the InCopy stories-- the incx files -- themselves), and their presence/absence is what ID/IC check to let you know if a story is available or in use.

So if a user doesn't have the correct read/write permissions for a particular folder on a server, then he'll have trouble trying to check out a story to edit it (because his system is not allowed to write to the server folder -- to create the .idlk file) or he won't be able to truly check a story back in (because his system isn't allowed to delete files from the server folder -- to delete the .idlk file).

Barring user error, this is why whenever people report problems regarding IC/ID not letting them check stories in/out, I normally suggest they check with their IT department and make sure the all the user's permissions are set correctly.

I've seen it happen that most people's systems are okay but IT forgot to turn a switch or click a checkbox for one or two other users in the department.

AM

[Fused_...@adobeforums.com]

A shortcut to perhaps the prolem is to go "around" the live-edit workflow and just focus on the .indd file.

Take a look att this plug-in, <http://www.ctrl-ps.com/products/ctrlcrosstalk>

[RabelS...@adobeforums.com]

My files are written in Spanish. The story file name had spanish characters in it. Do you think that has anything to do with it?

Thanks,

Rabel

[David Creamer]

I ran into this problem before with a Windows server and Windows InCopy users. The Mac layout station did not have a problem.

Try taking out the Spanish characters from the file names and see if the problem goes away.

[TPL_Pro...@adobeforums.com]

Ok this is getting frustrating!

Again, Designers on a Mac, Editors on PC. I have setup an InDesign file with links placed on the server. From the Mac, InDesign says that the links are all there and are fine. On the PC, InCopy opens with an error message saying that the file has no links and in the Assignments panel all links are missing. We are using a Layout based workflow.

The frustrating thing is that on the same server, another InDesign file was opened correctly with all links found... What is going on here?? We are a magazine publisher and the designers all use similar Macs with InDesign CS4, and we have so far only purchased one InCopy CS4.

Note: PC is using windows XP and the server is windows based

TPL Production

[Unknown]

And you're positive that everyone has full read/write permission on the
server?

Bob

[Anne-Marie Concepcion]

TPL: Look at the Links panel in both apps. Select one of the missing stories (one of the linked InCopy files that InDesign knows about but that InCopy can't find) and take a close look at the Location field in both apps.

Are they both reporting the same location? Is the InCopy file actually there?

What is the location they're reporting? (e.g. "KDrive:Production:ThisProject:Story.incx")

By the way TPL do you have a name? ;-)

AM

[Unknown]

I know there should be no difference, but have you tried setting up an
assignment?

Bob