Yeah, automating an Offset doesn't make much sense as gswitz outlined.  The automation is written at the track level, and the offset is overriding that automation by the given amount.  Plus, there would be a conflict if a track envelope was moving one direction while the Offset was moving the other.
 
FWIW, when in Offset mode a "+" will display on all applicable controls, and there's an indicator in the Control Bar module.
 
 

gswitz
oh wow... that's a funny concept... writing offsets...
 
wouldn't that be impossible to fix!! giggle...
 
Usually you don't write offset data.

Maybe my English is hard to understand, or I don`t understand yours..but I wasn`t trying to write offset data. I tried to make clear that I noticed that, when the write button is enabled, automation changes are displayed while in offset mode. I was just trying to find out if this was supposed to be so, and giving as much info as possible.
 

gswitz
All offsets are 0 when you start a new project. If you change a pan pot offset to L45% then turn off offset mode, that track will still play L45%. The pan pot in the track will reflect 0 but it will play to the left.

 
Clear.
 

gswitz Daan, you suggest that Sonar should block you or warn you when you are in offset mode while Write Automation is enabled and you are auditioning the audio.
 
I pretty much agree that this would be an improvement. It would help reduce the number of confused people attempting to write automation after accidentally bumping the O key. IMHO, they could make a dramatic GUI Color Change any time anyone enters offset mode to be sure it's intended -- an actual RED FLAG if you will.
 

 
+1
 

gswitz I should say that all you describe suggests that Sonar is working for you exactly as it was designed to work.

 
It is clear to me now that fortunately it wasn`t a bug but a feature...  But to me two questions still remain: why was offset mode gone/did sonar display track automation when I closed the project, shut down the computer and opened it again next day? First thing I did was checking if track automation worked now, before I even pressed a key or did anything else. I`m absolutely sure i didn`t press the O key. Question two: even if i did press O (which i didn`t) why did offset still apply to the next track I was automating volume on? And since offset is global, how can it be one track is in offset mode and another is not? Can it somehow be set per track, so I must have accidentally done that???
 

stevec FWIW, when in Offset mode a "+" will display on all applicable controls, and there's an indicator in the Control Bar module

If the control bar doesn`t show the mix module, like I have set it up, only the very small +sign remains, which is very easily overlooked. Especially if you`re not familiar with offset, which many users must be.

It may be that on startup, sonar removes offset. You could do a quick test to know for sure.

Also, I can say that this feature has caught me more than once. It doesn't happen often enough for me to always recognize the symptoms right away.

I guess for anyone that intentionally uses Offset mode on a fairly regular basis, as I do, the "+" never really goes unnoticed because I'm always aware of it.  What's weird is that even with my lack of accurate typing skills the "O" key is one that I don't seem to unintentionally press.  That's OK though, there are plenty of others (the "E" has caught me before).  
 
But I can certainly understand how it could catch you offguard if you don't work with Offset mode or don't even know it's there!
 

Steve, could you explain a little why you use it? What's your workflow that makes you need it?
 
I move envelopes around pretty casually, but I don't use offset much and I'd love to learn the use case.
 
Thanks,

G
 

Some people don't believe me, but I have evidence that sometimes read only works when write is on. I have been unable to isolate the factors.

gswitz
Steve, could you explain a little why you use it? What's your workflow that makes you need it?
 
I move envelopes around pretty casually, but I don't use offset much and I'd love to learn the use case.
 
Thanks,

G
 

Sure.  If I've made more than a few envelope adjustments and need to raise or lower the entire thing a little, I find it convenient to enable Offset mode, adjust the fader (or other widget) exactly as needed, then turn Offset mode off.   Volume is a common example.  
 
I know the entire envelope can be selected and moved, but I find the dexterity and precision needed to move an envelope in small increments greater than
grabbing a fader/widget.   Not to mention needing to zoom out to lasso the whole thing, then zooming back in and/or expanding the track or lane height to get the required accuracy.   Maybe it's a mindset more than anything - I'm adjusting the entire envelope without needing to actually adjust the envelope.

Sold Steve. You're right. I do exactly what you just described to move the whole envelope.
 
And yes, it would be better to do it with offset.

Cool!   I'm glad to see you might find use it in.   For me it really does make this little part of the process much easier.