Pencil tool issue

[mickeyrouse]

I am having quirky results with the Pencil Tool. On a recent session, I activated the pencil by pressing the pencil button on the tool bar. My first try, it worked fine, gave desired results, and I am thinking that's how I would have wanted it.
This evening on a different session, I attempted to use it again. This time, the pencil remained in its grey state, and even though the image appeared, was non-functional. Upon closing that session I recalled the session in which the pencil worked, and sure enough it did its thing with no coaxing. I made note of all tool bar edit settings, and recalled this evening's session. I applied settings from the pencil-functioning session, and still no results. All other bells and whistles seem to ring and toot.
The Pro Tools 11 training manual 101 describes the pencil tool and what it does, but does not discuss what is necessary to activate it. It appears a setting or button has been hit (or not) but I can't discern any difference in the two sessions. Both sessions exclusively consist of tracks imported in .wav format from the same non-Pro Tools DAW.
This is PT 11.1.1.
Any thoughts, suggestions, ideas?

[mickeyrouse]

Forgot to add, this is Windows 7 home premium environment.

[Shan]

Originally Posted by mickeyrouse

This time, the pencil remained in its grey state, and even though the image appeared, was non-functional.

It's dependent on the zoom level you're at and playlist view.

Shane

[mickeyrouse]

Zoom in activates, or vice versa? (I won't be at the studio until tomorrow.)

[Shan]

Pencil tool activation depends on the type of data you're trying to edit and zoom level you're at. What type of data were you trying to edit with the pencil tool? Was it an audio waveform, tempo change, automation, or MIDI data? From the Pro Tools Reference Guide:

Waveform Repair with the Pencil
Tool

On audio tracks, the Pencil tool lets you destruc-
tively “redraw” waveform data. This tool is most
commonly used to repair a pop or click in an audio
file. A pop or click appears as a sudden sharp spike
in a waveform. This tool only becomes active
when the Edit window is zoomed in to the sample
level.

Hope that helps.

Shane

[mickeyrouse]

Trying to edit volume levels in tracks. Works fine on one session, nothing on another. Clearly I have done (or not done) something, but which?

[mickeyrouse]

Would add that the level of zoom is about the same on both the working and non-working sessions.

[Rail Jon Rogut]

If it doesn't work... Did you import the file from an AAF?

You can select the area around the edit and consolidate it to enable the Pencil Tool

Rail

[mickeyrouse]

No. The file(s) are .wav files imported from another DAW. Pencil tool in session that works has varying levels of zoom, and has not been highlighted. Using it to modify volume levels, and wish to do same on other sessions.

[Shan]

I recommend posting a screen shot at this point.

Shane