Hi,
I have a lot of datasets which I have applied to several custom stencils. The datasets need modifying occasionally but I've noticed when I alter a dataset (by adding a new property or by changing an existing property) which has been applied to one or more master shapes in a stencil ALL shapes which the altered dataset has been applied to have every dataset other than the modified one deleted when an instance is dragged onto the page. I'm not reapplying the dataset to any masters, just clicking 'define' and altering the dataset itself.
This is nothing to do with the Document Stencil. I've cleared that out.
To recreate the problem say you have two masters in a stencil MasterA and MasterB, both with no data.
two datasets are created with two properties each Set1 = {set_1_p1, set1_1_p2} and Set2 = {set_2_p1, set_2_p2}.
I apply these to both MasterA and MasterB.
All good so far. When instances are dragged onto the page they contain the correct sets and all properties. the masters also contain the correct sets and properties in both the shape data window and the shapesheet.
I now delete all Document Stencil masters so future instances are not taken from there and delete the current instances from the page.
I then define Set1 and add a new property, set_1_p3, and click OK to close the define window. So Set1 = {set_1_p1, set1_1_p2, set_1_p3}. I have not applied the dataset to any Masters.
If I check the Shape data window and the shapesheet of both masters they do not show the changes to the data set. They both still just have p1 and p2 of Set1 and Set2. no p3 to be seen.
BUT - when I drag a shape onto the page from either master the instances now only show properties from the modified set1, {set_1_p1, set1_1_p2, set_1_p3}. Set 2 is nowhere to be seen in the shape data window.
BUT (again) - in the instance's shape sheet the User.CPMSetList cell's value shows both Set1 and Set2 and the prompt shows both Sets' unaltered, original properties. No set_1_p3.
Sorry for the verbosity here, I just wanted to be clear what I was seeing and how it could be reproduced.
Can someone explain what's going on here and whether there is a workaround? I don't understand:
1. Why the change is not shown in the master but occurs once an instance is dropped on the page. and
2. Why the Instance has the original set lists' properties listed in the CPMSetList cell, but the shape data cells have only the new, altered set's properties.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I can't go through reapplying the data sets every time I alter one slightly as some shapes don't use all of the properties.
Many Thanks,
Rob
EDIT:
As another interesting point if, after I have edited Set1, before I drag an instance onto the page I first turn Design Mode on, then the unchanged original properties from the master are displayed in the instance. this makes me think that there is some kind of code or script running in the background when an instance is dropped onto the page. But there is nothing visible in the shape sheet...
It should also be noted that the document stencil masters only ever have the regular stencil master's properties at any point. Never the new properties.
