Blackmagic Forum

I know several people have had issues with Column Layouts not being persistent. Previously, a re-start would destroy saved Column Layouts, see here, for example: https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=91945&p=539445&hilit=+column+layout+#p539445. While that issue appears to be fixed, I don't believe anyone has previously reported this, closely related issue.

Steps to reproduce:

1-Create a Column Layout by right-clicking in the header of the media pool spreadsheet, and select "Create Column Layout"
2-Load a custom workspace from the Workspace->Load Presets menu.

That's it. The custom Column Layout created in step 1 is destroyed in step 2. Right-clicking in the media pool header at this point reveals that it's gone. But it's not simply a case of Workspace Layout Preset X doesn't contain Column Layout Y because X was created before Y existed; You can "Reset UI Layout" to factory defaults, and Column Layout Preset Y is still gone.

Semi-Workaround:

1-Load a Workspace layout
2-Create and save a Column Layout Preset
3-Update the Workspace layout

This will save the column layout "inside" of the workspace layout. Switching to a different workspace will still destroy the column layout (I.E., column layout doesn't persist with workspace at factory default), but at least switching back to the container workspace will recover the column preset. However, since this is now the only place the column preset exists, and there is no way to transfer a column preset from one workspace to another, this Semi-workaround requires column presets to be manually recreated for every workspace to make them universally available.

Ideally, there should be no dependency relationship between column layout presets and workspace layout presets.

Resolve version 16.3.0B.006

To my thinking, this is working correctly. The 'work around' is actually the proper procedure.

Jim Simon wrote:To my thinking, this is working correctly. The 'work around' is actually the proper procedure.

As such a staunch supporter of sticky behavior, I'm surprised you're not backing me up on this. Your reputation for trolling does temper that surprise, however.

https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=96350&p=613843&hilit=+column+layout+#p534446

How is:

User SAVES preset +
User performs UNRELATED* action
=
preset GONE

not broken?

*Not only is a workspace unrelated to a column, but LOADING is (or should be) unrelated to WRITING.

I tend to agree. Column header layouts should be saved independently from Workspace layouts.

Jason Conrad wrote:How is:

User SAVES preset +
User performs UNRELATED* action
=
preset GONE

not broken?

Because the Layout IS part of the Workspace. So if you change the workspace and don't save the Layout...buh-bye Layout.

Peter Cave wrote:Column header layouts should be saved independently from Workspace layouts.

I can see the advantage of combining them.

If Joe wants Layouts A, B & C, and Dave wants Layouts D, E & F, a simple Workspace change will show only what they each want.

Same applies if a single editor sets up different workspaces for different tasks. He only sees the Layout options he's prepared for those tasks.

I would like to recall a column layout from a different Workspace. Currently this is not possible as they are only available from within the Workspace where they are created.

Jim Simon wrote:So if you change the workspace and don't save the Layout...buh-bye Layout.

But I DID save the layout, and it's gone anyway!

See above, or I'll post it here, for a third time:

Step 1 SAVE LAYOUT
Step 2 Load Workspace.

Peter Cave wrote:I would like to recall a column layout from a different Workspace. Currently this is not possible as they are only available from within the Workspace where they are created.

Yes, exactly, please.

Jason Conrad wrote:But I DID save the layout

Sorry, I'll rephrase.

If you didn't save the Layout in the Workspace you're changing to...

Peter Cave wrote:I would like to recall a column layout from a different Workspace.

That is a good point.

Perhaps a way to Export/Import those Layouts? That would be very useful in many scenarios.

Jim Simon wrote:

Jason Conrad wrote:But I DID save the layout

Sorry, I'll rephrase.

If you didn't save the Layout in the Workspace you're changing to...

I can't save it to the one I'm changing to, because when I change, it gets erased!

I SAVED it. Then it's GONE. No warning, no:

"Your column layout is dependent upon an unsaved workspace layout, which will be destroyed if you switch workspaces now. Would you like to save a new workspace layout to contain this column layout and keep it safe forever?"

Yes, that's a wordy dialogue, but the fact that it's accurate* and informative should be a clue that the "proper procedure" is designed poorly.

*It's not accurate NOW. It would require additional functionality to be accurate. Now, it would have to read more like: "Sorry, you're out of luck, buddy, I'm about to erase your stuff." But instead of even doing that at minimum, Resolve just fails silently.

Jason Conrad wrote:I can't save it to the one I'm changing to, because when I change, it gets erased!

Right. That's just one way the ability to Export/Import Layouts would come in handy.

No. This has to be a bug.
I have saved the layout and then later the Columns Layouts are gone.
Even layouts I have had for some time now.

poof. gone.

I didn't have this problem when working at the facility. But with exporting and importing for WFH, perhaps these layouts aren't being saved when exporting or importing projects?

There's no way for me to know, I can only speculate. But like I said, I can see the value in the current functionality, so I suspect this is "as designed", and a Feature Request would be the best way to change it.

Looks like 5 years later the issue is still there.
DVR V20 (official release)

That's why i'm in this thread - to see how that was possible that my Layout preset was all suddenly gone.
Now I see why. Exactly bc of the workspace loading...

Yep, not very logical