Post Frame Design F.A.Q.



When I load the Post-Frame module (version 9.40.6 and earlier) I get a runtime error and the program shuts down. Why?

If this error occurs when the Postframe module is loading it could indicate that your Metskin.sku file has somehow become corrupted. Replace it (found in the ..\Material folder) with a backup copy.

When I load the Post-Frame module (version 9.40.7 and later) it loads the Generic Metskin.sku file instead of my own Metskin.sku file. Why?

There are 2 possible reasons for the Generic Metskin.sku file to be loaded.

Condition #1: if you get the error message "Design Tools has found an outdated Metskin.sku file" it means the file is of the incorrect format. If you had a version of Lumber Pack 9.40.6 or earlier and you have upgraded to a newer version of the program you have a file which is of the old format (newer versions of the program use a different format). This problem is easily solved by running a small utility program called MetskinUpdate.exe which can be downloaded from the DownLoads Section. Running this program will convert your original file to the new format. The program requires 2 files; Metskin.sku and Manufact.typ. These 2 files are located in the ..\Material folder of the program. When the utility is started it will search the Registry for the current path of the program (you may have more than 2 copies of the program on your computer). If a valid path is found it will then look at the current Metskin.sku file to see if it is a valid file to convert. Any problems with finding the path or files will cancel the program. A backup copy of the original file will have been created in case of problems. This file will be named Metskin.org and will be left in the ..\Material folder. This way you still have a copy of your original file.

Note: if you get this error you must run the utility program before opening the Postframe module again otherwise you may have no copy of your original metskin.sku file.

Condition #2: if you get the error message "An attempt was made to access an unnamed file past it's end" it means that somehow the file has been corrupted. The program will try to load a backup copy of the file but if this also fails it will have to load the Generic Metskin.sku file. In order to use your own file you will have to replace the Metskin.sku file in the ..\Material folder with a Backup copy. A backup copy of this file (the program makes 2 copies).