Inkscape v.091-1 error message: "The preferences file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\preferences.xml "

BretMan · Postby **BretMan** » Mon Apr 18, 2016 4:00 am

Hello,

I'm running Windows 7 (64bit) and Inkscape v.091-1 (64). I was using it ok for a few days with Inkscape v.048.5-1 created svg files, then I suddenly started to get this error message: "The preferences file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\preferences.xml is not a valid document. Inkscape will run with default settings, and new settings will not be saved. " when I would open the files. Now I even get the error when I just open Inkscape.

I uninstalled Inkscape, then re-installed it and it's still appearing when I open Inkscape. I'm not sure what it means either, although it seems to state whatever preferences I create for a my default settings, they won't be saved. If so, this would waste a lot of my time needing to reset everything.

Another thing that happened is that the icon columns/rows starting with "Create new doc..." down to "Ungroup selected groups" and the next row "Enable snapping" down to "Snap guides" are now both on the far right of the work area and I had them at the top of it, where I want them. How do I move them back up to the top?

Thank you.

Postby **brynn** » Mon Apr 18, 2016 4:53 am

It sounds like maybe your preferences file has become corrupt. Try this:

-- Close Inkscape
-- Follow that path to find preferences.xml file
-- Delete that file

The next time you open Inkscape, a brand new preference.xml file will be created. You'll have to re-set all your preferences, but if you've only had Inkscape for a few days, you might not have changed many options.

Sometimes the AppData folder is hidden. Quoting from the Inkscape FAQ, here's how you can handle that:

* For Windows, sometimes AppData is hidden. You can consult Windows documentation for instructions how to unhide all hidden files and folders. Or you can paste that path into Windows Explorer, to open just that folder, for just this reason (and all the other hidden folders remain hidden). It might not look like there's any place to paste that path, in Windows Explorer, but it's the first row under the titlebar. Just click there, and you will see that you can paste it in. Don't forget to change "user name" to the name you registered for your computer.

BretMan · Postby **BretMan** » Mon Apr 18, 2016 6:56 am

Thanks. Well, with Inkscape closed and with "Show hidden folders and files" on, in Windows Explorer I manually followed the path ok until I got to Roaming and it ended there because there was no Inkscape folder in it. I tried again with Inkscape open and same result. I then did a file search in the entire C: drive for "inkscape\preferences.xml" with Inkcape closed and again open and it didn't find it anywhere either. I then opened Inkscape and went to Edit>Preferences... and I made a change (I don't actually know what that's for) just to see if it might create the file. I searched again with it both open and closed and it's still not found.

Moini · Postby **Moini** » Mon Apr 18, 2016 8:06 am

@BretMan: If the directory the file is supposed to live in doesn't exist, create it. Then restart Inkscape.

(in the Preferences -> 'System' section, in the text field behind 'User preferences', there will be a path to a file listed. This is where Inkscape looks for and will save the preferences.xml. You can change the directory here later, if for some reason, you intentionally removed it.)

Postby **brynn** » Mon Apr 18, 2016 1:47 pm

Moini, I'm not sure about creating Roaming. For me, it contains around 50 folders. I'm fairly shocked that it's not there. All kinds of programs save data there! Maybe it somehow got moved??

BretMan, would you please tell me what you find in Inkscape Preferences > System > System Info > User config ? It should be the path I explained above. But maybe you accidentally changed it, somehow?

Did you try, from the quote I posted before, pasting the path into Windows Explorer? I don't mean a search. It doesn't look like it, but you can paste the path in the red rectangle, in my attached screenshot. Just click in that area. It will open that folder if it's there.

BretMan · Postby **BretMan** » Mon Apr 18, 2016 11:12 pm

Good news - the alert seems to be gone now. I did a reboot this morning, then when I went to follow your latest suggestions, when I followed the path again, I found Inkscape was now in the Roaming folder this time and so was the rest of the path. I deleted the .xml and opened Inkscape and no more alert. I wonder if the problem developed from the uninstall of the old version then install of the new version and it put things in the wrong place (???) If so, how could the alert name a path that didn't exist? Odd though since I did that a while ago and the alert only came up recently. My guess is the fix had something to do with the reboot and putting things where they are supposed to be. Thanks for you help!

Now for the second part of my question about placing the columns now on the right up to the top?

Postby **brynn** » Tue Apr 19, 2016 10:44 am

Yes, good news!

At the bottom of the View menu are Default, Custom and Wide. I can't remember which one does which arrangement. But it's easy just to cycle through and choose the one you want.

BretMan · Postby **BretMan** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 12:02 am

Done! Simple enough. Thanks.

I've noticed that every time I open Inkscape it opens at maximum frame size. If I resize it then close it, it will still open again at maximum size. Is there a way to set it to open to the size it was when last closed?

Moini · Postby **Moini** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 12:56 am

You could try the settings in the preferences for Window geometry: Edit -> Preferences -> User Interface -> Windows

BretMan · Postby **BretMan** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 2:35 am

It just says "Interface" not User Interface. It didn't work when I set it to large but now it seems to be working after I tried setting it to small then resizing after that.

Many thanks!

Moini · Postby **Moini** » Wed Apr 20, 2016 4:17 am

I used my German version without switching the language

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Inkscape v.091-1 error message: "The preferences file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\preferences.xml "

Inkscape v.091-1 error message: "The preferences file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\preferences.xml "

Re: Inkscape v.091-1 error message: "The preferences file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\preferences.xml "

Re: Inkscape v.091-1 error message: "The preferences file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\preferences.xml "

Re: Inkscape v.091-1 error message: "The preferences file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\preferences.xml "

Re: Inkscape v.091-1 error message: "The preferences file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\preferences.xml "

Re: Inkscape v.091-1 error message: "The preferences file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\preferences.xml "

Re: Inkscape v.091-1 error message: "The preferences file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\preferences.xml "

Re: Inkscape v.091-1 error message: "The preferences file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\preferences.xml "

Re: Inkscape v.091-1 error message: "The preferences file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\preferences.xml "

Re: Inkscape v.091-1 error message: "The preferences file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\preferences.xml "

Re: Inkscape v.091-1 error message: "The preferences file C:\Users\myname\AppData\Roaming\inkscape\preferences.xml "

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