Colour of critical tasks in network diagram 1

[raymaker]

In the attached project, in the network diagram, the critical tasks are displayed in red as expected. I have used box styles to change the formatting of the nodes and created a new style called MyStandard.

When I change the duration of task C from 2w to 10w the critical path changes to go through C. However, the colour of the node remains blue. Similarly if I increase the duration of D to join the critical path e.g. to 22w it does not change red. However, the arrows always change to the correct colour.

I think I am misunderstanding "Format Box" which is overriding the "Box Styles" colours.

Could somebody advise me what I am doing wrong? Thanks.

 

[PDQBach]

unable to download your attachment.

 

[raymaker]

Amended URL for the MPP example project for the above query.

 

[PDQBach]

url still not working

http://dircweb.kingstouk/raymaker/cpquery.mpp

Gotta have a .com or .co.uk or something after kingstouk

 

[PDQBach]

Thank you Google ... that (and a little bit of guessing) gave me the necessary url.

I'm looking at it now. Will get back later.

 

[PDQBach]

You haven't used the Format stuff correctly.

1. If you *must* preserve all the info in your current project then open a blank project and
1a. Copy & paste Resource data
1b. Copy & paste Task data
1c. Close your old project file

You should now have 1 project file open.

2. View > Network
3. Format > Box Styles > More templates... > New...

On the Data Template Definition popup:
4a. Create the layout
4b. Click on OK

Back at the Data Templates popup:
5. Click on Close

Back at the Box Styles popup:
6a. Make certain "Data Template" shows the template you just created
6b. Click on "Critical" and set the colours
6c. Click on "Noncritical" and set the colours
6d. Click on OK

Back at the Network view:
7a. Click on Window > New window...
7b. You should only have 1 project name to select from; where it says View choose Gantt Chart; OK

8. Window > Arrange all

You should now see two windows; one is Gantt, one is Network

In the Gantt view change durations; you will see the changes reflected in the Network view. If you have done everything correctly then, in the Network view, tasks which become Critical will have your Critical colours (see step 6b) and tasks which become Noncritical will have your Noncritical colours (see step 6c).

I think you tried to apply formatting to specific nodes. You can ... that just overrides the "generic" colours (which we defined above) and overridden colours never change.

 

[raymaker]

Thank-you that is very helpful, however I am still misundertanding one step. I understand from your answer that I should not use format box as it overrides the colours. However, when I create the nodes above they are using the Standard template and not my new template.

How do I create a new task with my new template?

Thanks.

 

[PDQBach]

At any time

9. Select your template
9a. View > Network
9b. Format > Box Styles and set Data Template to your predefined template