# Can't create a simple CDF

I decided it was time I investigated CDFs, so I created the following simple Manipulate using Mathematica version 9.0.1.0:

Manipulate[
Plot[
Sin[a x], {x, 0, 2 Pi}
],
{a, 1, 10},
SaveDefinitions -> True]


Then I selected File>CDF Preview>CDF Player

which produced a new window:

Not very interesting (a bit like yesterday's paper — flat, lifeless, inactive), but perhaps that's what it's supposed to look like at this point. I pressed on, and used the wizard (File>CDF Export>Standalone...) to save a CDF version of the notebook.

I put the new CDF file in a trusted directory, then opened the Wolfram CDF Player (version 9.0.1.0) and tried to open the file. Nothing happened - no console messages. I know that the CDF Player works, because I can open CDFs downloaded from demonstrations.wolfram.com.

The CDF file itself can be opened in Mathematica and works as expected. I tried opening it in CDF player with Mathematica running, and also after quitting Mathematica. I also tried with CDFs made using File>SaveAs... -> CDF.

I've read the CDF-tagged questions here, but can't find anything that addresses my basic inability to create a simple CDF.

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I can't reproduce this behaviour. Everything works ok on WinXp MMA 9.0.1.0 nad on CDFPlayer 9.0.1.0. What if you try to create a CDF with only the output cell with current selection marked in Step 2of deploynment process? – Kuba Sep 18 '13 at 8:04
@kuba - I did wonder whether my installation had gone awry somehow. If it works for everyone else, I'll have to re-install. (Current selection didn't work either.) – cormullion Sep 18 '13 at 8:08
After CDF Preview, I got it working in a MS Surface Pro. Before you reinstall your Mathematica license on your Mac, you might be interested in mathematica.stackexchange.com/questions/29809/…. – Hector Sep 18 '13 at 8:10
@hector :) Nice try, Steve Ballmer! – cormullion Sep 18 '13 at 8:15
Have you altered the default stylesheet? It looks like there's an opener for your input cell that I don't see by default in a windows version. – bobthechemist Sep 18 '13 at 9:04

## 1 Answer

I traced the problem to this line in my init.m:

PrivateNotebookOptions->{"FileOutlineCache"->False,


I'm not sure how it got set to false, probably me fiddling with some options one day, but once it's set to True it's possible to create CDFs in the usual way.

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May I ask how have you traced it? – Kuba Sep 18 '13 at 16:50
@kuba Removed the support folder, it worked, so replaced it. Removed init.m, it worked, so replaced it. Then a binary split test - remove half the file, if it works, then the problem is in the other half; repeat until the problem is isolated. Only took 1/2 hour :) – cormullion Sep 18 '13 at 17:49