# Cannot run Optimize on purely 2D .vtk files: "Run Optimize" button is grayed out **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Created:** [April 13, 2026, 3:25am UTC](https://shapeworks.discourse.group/t/cannot-run-optimize-on-purely-2d-vtk-files-run-optimize-button-is-grayed-out/407 "2026-04-13T03:25:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MartaSaezGarmendia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@MartaSaezGarmendia](https://shapeworks.discourse.group/u/MartaSaezGarmendia)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 3:25am UTC](https://shapeworks.discourse.group/t/cannot-run-optimize-on-purely-2d-vtk-files-run-optimize-button-is-grayed-out/407/1 "2026-04-13T03:25:58Z")
Hi everyone, I am trying to perform a shape analysis on a dataset of strictly 2D femur contours using `.vtk` files in ShapeWorks Studio. However, I am completely stuck at the transition between Grooming and Optimization. Here is a quick summary of the issue: **1. Mesh Grooming completes but something is missing:** I load my 2D `.vtk` files and run the standard Mesh Grooming pipeline. The process finishes without crashing, but it seems it doesn’t generate the data the optimizer is expecting. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/shapeworks/original/1X/c3b16a23ac5add7259f5ae2d7c1bc54443b78208.png) **2. “Run Optimize” is permanently disabled:** When I move to the Optimize tab, the **Run Optimize** button remains completely grayed out, making it impossible to generate the particles. I have tried saving the project and reloading it, but the button stays locked. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/shapeworks/original/1X/1d1e670d897d3f8ead5d478b6114c6755c6b8853.png) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/shapeworks/original/1X/e2d8a883ce87bacf56629edcdb52903d6dd6f0bf.png) **My question:** I suspect the software is blocking the optimization because my meshes are strictly 2D (the Z-axis is flat/zero). Is there a specific, recommended workflow to process purely 2D `.vtk` data in ShapeWorks Studio? For my 2D femur contours, is `.vtk` the correct format to use in ShapeWorks? Is there a setting I am missing to force the Optimizer to work in a 2D plane, or do I need to artificially extrude my contours into 3D volumes first? ---
**Author:** ![amorris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@amorris](https://shapeworks.discourse.group/u/amorris)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 4:13am UTC](https://shapeworks.discourse.group/t/cannot-run-optimize-on-purely-2d-vtk-files-run-optimize-button-is-grayed-out/407/2 "2026-04-13T04:13:56Z")
So the problem is likely your region/language settings. It’s marking the initial relative weighting as invalid because it’s expecting a comma instead of a period for the decimal. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/shapeworks/original/1X/c8f7a0f2df7b3c2b0a807c156b751205ccfccbfc.png) The easiest way to fix this is to install the development version of ShapeWorks that includes a fix for this. > **[Releases · SCIInstitute/ShapeWorks](https://github.com/SCIInstitute/ShapeWorks/releases)** > > ShapeWorks. Contribute to SCIInstitute/ShapeWorks development by creating an account on GitHub. Alternatively, you can set your region/language settings to US. ---
**Author:** ![MartaSaezGarmendia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@MartaSaezGarmendia](https://shapeworks.discourse.group/u/MartaSaezGarmendia)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 2:44pm UTC](https://shapeworks.discourse.group/t/cannot-run-optimize-on-purely-2d-vtk-files-run-optimize-button-is-grayed-out/407/3 "2026-04-13T14:44:06Z")
Hi again, Thank you very much for the response. I installed the pre-release as suggested, but I am now getting different errors with my strictly 2D `.vtk` files. When I run the Grooming step, it seems the tool is deleting the geometry completely. Specifically, if I run it with **Alignment checked** , the logs show: - `Warning: Empty mesh in createICPTransform: source has 0 points, target has 0 points - returning identity` - `Error: meshes must have points` - `Error: Generated mesh is empty, file: groomed\Paciente04_FU0_groomed.vtk` ![Captura de pantalla 2026-04-13 162410](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/shapeworks/original/1X/f2183f8b334cef906ea67dbe47f8eda6998bd8d8.png) To troubleshoot, I tried running it with **Alignment disabled** (and all other filters off), but I still get this error: - `Error: Generated mesh is empty, file: groomed\Paciente04_FU0_groomed.vtk` Furthermore, if I try to **skip the Grooming step entirely** to see if it bypasses the issue, I get this error instead: - `Error: Mesh construction failed: Unable to warp mesh. Further messages will be suppressed` **Could this issue be related to the nature of my data?** My `.vtk` files are strictly 2D outlines/contours of the femurs (just the boundary lines with no internal filling or volume). Is it possible that the grooming/warping algorithms are failing or collapsing the data because they expect a filled surface or 3D surface rather than a 2D empty contour? Is there a specific way I should format these 2D contours for this pre-release version to prevent the geometry from being deleted? Thank you for your help! ---
**Author:** ![amorris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@amorris](https://shapeworks.discourse.group/u/amorris)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 12:29am UTC](https://shapeworks.discourse.group/t/cannot-run-optimize-on-purely-2d-vtk-files-run-optimize-button-is-grayed-out/407/4 "2026-04-16T00:29:19Z")
I see, yeah, the grooming for contours got broken in a recent update. I’ve just merged a fix for this and new builds are available here: > **[Releases · SCIInstitute/ShapeWorks](https://github.com/SCIInstitute/ShapeWorks/releases)** > > ShapeWorks. Contribute to SCIInstitute/ShapeWorks development by creating an account on GitHub.