Illustrator Type Panel Problem

[webcoredesign]

Hi

I've been working with Illustrator for years yet this problem has just came about.

The type panel is displaying blanks regardless of the fact that I have (non traced) text selected. Closing and re-opening the panel, restarting and re-installing (along with preferances) doesn't fix this problem.

I can only select fonts via the Type>Font menu

Is there something I'm missing?

Can anyone help?

Thanks

 

[apepp]

...are you using font management software?

...have you tried removing the entire folder from application support > adobe > adobe illustrator CSx as opposed to just the preferences files?

...have you tried cleaning out the font cache files and emptying the font folder of fonts other than the system essential typefaces?

andrew

 

[apepp]

...are you on mac or pc?

Andrew

 

[webcoredesign]

Thanks for the response.

I am using a PC running Vista using no font management software.

I haven't cleared the fonts. How would I seperate system fonts from fonts I've installed? I have many since I'm a logo designer so I don't imagine this to be too convenient though I'm willing to try.

Where is "application support > adobe > adobe illustrator CSx"?

Thanks

 

[apepp]

...before you take fonts out, first try removing this folder from vista:

Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CSx Settings

(x is the version number you are using)

...you don't have to delete it, just move it out so illustrator creates a fresh new set on launch...

...then if still no joy clean the font cache files...

...for font cache files under Windows Vista the operating system has a font cache file that is located here: C:\Windows\System32\FNTCACHE.DAT
Delete this file, and restart your system. A new FNTCACHE.DAT file will be created on startup...

...for adobe font cache files, search your computer for “adobefnt*.lst” file(s). Delete all these files named “adobefnt*.lst”. (note that this works on both Mac OS X and Windows systems, ensure they are “adobefnt*.lst” and not some other similar file name)...


Andrew

 

[webcoredesign]

Thanks for your advice Andrew.

I don't appear to have an "App Data" folder in users/[username]?

 

[apepp]

...it is there, however i forgot to mention that you need to enable hidden files and folders in the vista control panels...

...go to control panel > appearance and personalization > folder options > view tab > click the bullet next to "show hidden files and folders" in the list...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...don't forget to click 'apply' button...

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...also forgot to mention the star (*) in the cache font names i posted above (adobefnt*.lst) will be a digit, these numbers vary...

...so if you want to clean the adobe cache files probably best search for "adobefnt.lst"...

...you will best search "everywhere" and include non-indexed locations, which you can specify in the "advanced search" criteria..

Andrew

 

[apepp]

...but before you do an adobe cache search, it might be best to remove the C:\Windows\System32\FNTCACHE.DAT file, then reboot and see if it is any better...

...do note, my suggestions so far are mainly house keeping criteria, so if after all the above tasks still render the character palette unusable, we might have to look at another option...

...and that may well be a manual, complete removal of illustrator and it's components, and re-install...

...the manual method does more than a standard windows uninstall...

Andrew