BUG: Parameters dialog opened in the background blocks input focus to the main window

[ltomuta]

A new and very annoying bug.

I was just getting the latest version of some referenced components and suddenly Fusion stopped responding to my clicks. When I click anywhere in the app window  I get a sound from Windows indicating that the app does not have focus and cannot receive input. As if a modal dialog is opened and I try to access the window behind it. But there is no dialog show on the screen.

However, as I hover over the application's thumbnail in the taskbar the Parameters dialog comes to the foreground but then it goes away as soon as the mouse leaves the thumbnail (image attached).

This dialog has no business being open and when it is open (and modal) it should always be in front of the main window.

[Phil.E]

Hi thanks for posting.

The parameters dialog is a command. Did you launch the command when this happened?

How often does this happen?

Are you using two monitors sometimes, and one monitor other times?

Can you click when you hover over the application's thumbnail in the taskbar to bring the parameters dialog to the front, and thus close it? 

Do you have a hotkey for parameters, and possibly this is how the dialog was launched?

Any clue as to how to reproduce this effect will help enable debugging it.

[ltomuta]

It happened twice that day, never since.

The first time I had to kill the app before I could figure out what is
stealing the focus.

The 2nd time I was lucky to spot the Parameters window but I could not
bring it to foreground. Clicking the thumbnail changed nothing. Eventually
I killed the app again.

This happened on my work PC where I have only one display. At home I have a
dual display setup (laptop plus external display) but there I had no such
issue. I don't even think I have a 2nd virtual desktop configured. I do
have the Microsoft PowerToys installed but I don't remember Fusion being
docked in a split screen section managed by that app (nor was that ever a
problem)

In both cases this was right after GetLatest and I believe I should not
have been able to launch that command would the Parameters command be
opened somewhere on the screen. I can only imagine it got openend after I
launched the GetLatest command while Fusion was busy processing the
imported changes. There was still the green progress bar in the bottom
right corner IIRC.

No shortcut for Parameters.

[Phil.E]

Thanks! You got it exactly.

I can open parameters and then do a get all latest on a design. This puts the parameters dialog into a locked state. If you experienced the same thing, perhaps somehow parameters was open when you did a get all latest. 

Anyway, let me know if you find otherwise. I'm going to log this as a crash since I have no choice now but to force quit Fusion to get out of this. 

Much appreciated!

(Report: FUS-123350)

[ltomuta]

It just happened again. The Parameters were definitely not on the screen when Get Latest was called but now Fusion is stuck and the Parameters command becomes visible when I hover the thumbnail. 

[Phil.E]

Thanks for the update. Do you have a hotkey set for parameters?

[ltomuta]

No hotkey.

[Phil.E]

Is it happening more with a particular design? This is starting to seem data related. Just checking.

[ltomuta]

This is definitely related to my CAM template projects, the only ones I use with x-refed designs. I have to start taking notes now on which exact project this happens and which templates are used.

[Phil.E]

If you can repeat it with a specific file, and share that with me, I'm glad to test it.

[scarwars13]

Im having the same problem I think.  Its like there is another window open...only when adding lathe templates...

@Phil.E WE NEED THIS FIXED ASAP!! Here is my thread https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-manufacture/fusion-crashing-when-adding-lathe-template/m-p...

[Phil.E]

I don't know how to add a lathe template. Is it a custom template that you have created? Can you share it and tell me how to take the steps required to crash?

[scarwars13]

Yah follow the link above to my original posting and watch the youtube video i posted. Its in CAM and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt. ITS AWFUL! No milling template problems only when I bring in templates of lathe or turning programs. Then as soon as they are added it goes off and wont work until i shut off fusion. Turn on the sound and you will hear the noise the computer is making like there is a dialog open that I cant see. This used to work totally fine until ANOTHER lovely update and its been completely unreliable since.

[Phil.E]

Thanks.

Unfortunately I don't have any templates or know how to make them.

Have you tried reset to default layout? File > View > Reset to Default Layout. This will bring all dialog boxes back to the main display if they have wandered off. 

[ltomuta]

I just got this again and while I didn't learn anything new about the why and how it happens I'm here to log another weirdness:

The Preferences dialog that was blocking the input focus this time was not even belonging to the assembly I was calling GetLatest on. It belonged to another assembly that I was working on a few minutes earlier, but that document was now long since closed.

[scarwars13]

This stopped being an issue for us and now with the latest update it has become an issue again!!!! @Phil.E please fix this problem.  Brining in my lathe templates just like before is freezing everything and i click around and it makes the same sound as if a dialog box is open that I cant see!  I know its not me because it was working fine after we had been complaining for about 2 months and with this latest update now it is a problem again!  Please help

[Phil.E]

I'll pass this to the manufacturing team who can better handle it than I. 

Please confirm which build you are referring to. There have been a few updates since July 29. 

[scarwars13]

The latest build is worse than ever! none of my lathe templates will work without the above issue. I have tons of operations saved and its really screwing up our processes.

[Phil.E]

Sorry that nobody has gotten back to you. I will escalate the problem. (CAM-49234)

Very important questions:

• Have you tried "File > View > Reset to default layout"?
• Can you provide a template file for me to test?

[scarwars13]

Here is one that wont work.  But most of the lathe templates make it happen.  Not to mention the dreaded "calculating spun profile" that actually causes a crash.  Using a brand new gaming PC Acer Predator so I am quite confident that the computer is not "underpowered". It was working fine before but then all of a sudden with an update it went back to its old ways...then it didnt trouble me for a while now its almost all of the templates.  I use milling templates quite often without issue.  As soon as turning programs are in the mix it starts with the do da ding sound like a dialog box or menu is open and I cannot go any further or click on anything in fusion.  Then i have to CTRL+ALT+DEL kill the program and restart.

One thing I have noticed is that I can get it to be less frequent if I go to Preferences>Manufacture>Prompts>and then Uncheck the "Automatically generate toolpath on operation change" box.  I thought this was an across the board fix originally but then it worked better with some then started happening again.  There definitely was a time when this issue was completely closed before about 2 updates ago.  I just unchecked the box and it seems to be working for most of the templates including the one I attached but I know this wont last.  Whatever wires are crossed causing this need to be tied off permanently.  

Our plan is to use Fusion for a true mill turn machine eventually like an Integrex or Multus but this needs to be solved because you cant make money making programs from scratch for every single part especially in a high-mix low volume job shop.  For the record I love Fusion but the bugs can be really challenging.

Thanks for your quick reply