Community Redesign – Modernizing the Autodesk Forums - Feedback

[CGBenner]

[06/26/2025]

Post to the latest blog on the release this week

[06/11/2025]

Post to the latest blog on the release this week

[05/30/2025]

Post to the latest shareout of the listing of elements found / solved

Blog post to the latest announcement of the final migration round on the community

[5/15/2025]

The latest blog post is live and covers everything on the behind-the-scenes updates that are happening.

[5/7/2025]

The April Release Blog post is now live with updates on the Industry Hubs and more.
________________________________________________________________________________________

[Blog link in original post updated 3/6/2025]

Clarification as requested - 2/14/2025:  Any feedback in this forum thread that does not directly say that a feedback form has been submitted, and even some that does, is being captured and logged for the team to look into.  We may not respond directly to each post but we will add a "Like" to the post to indicate that we have seen and logged it.  If we have anything meaningful that we can add at the moment, we will reply with that.  If we do not reply, it means that we simply don't have anything to add to that request at the time.  We are adding links to the posts that we submit, and giving details on which individual post the team should look at, as well as including any images you share.  We do not have a way to add videos to the feedback form, but these are still welcome and appreciated, and we make a note of it on the form when we submit it so the team knows to look for the video.  Thank you!

Hello Community! 
 
As you can see from this recent blog post on our Autodesk Community Blog, the Autodesk Community Forums will soon be getting a new look and feel.  This new look is part of our efforts to modernize the community and place key resources where you can more easily find them. 
 
Some of you have had an early look at these updates during our recent A/B testing across the community. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who shared their feedback during this phase. Your insights and comments have been instrumental in refining this design.  Here are some of the changes you will see: 

• Updated Forums experience: Enhanced navigation, optimized mobile experience, new threaded posts and the ability to upvote content. 

• Recommended content: Explore new content sections featuring suggested blog posts, events, and additional resources tailored to your interests.  

• Recognition for top contributors: Visual recognition to help you get to know the most active members in the community. 

• Changes based on your A/B test feedback: We’ve made several updates based on your valuable feedback detailed in the Product News posts on our Autodesk Community Blog.  

We would love to continue to hear your feedback on this redesign, so we have created a feedback form, which you can bookmark for future use, to report any issues or suggestions that you have. 
 
For more details on this release, I invite you to read the full blog post on our Community Blog. 

Thank you all for being a part of this Community! 

[kacper.suchomski]

The "Upvote" item in the topic list is a waste of space.

[parshant_gautam]

Hi@kacper.suchomski , Can you check now? This should be resolved for you.

[kacper.suchomski]

Thank you. It works.

[ChrisRS]

This issue does not hinder forum usability.

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@m_kingdon wrote:

I've noticed that community managers are now in the place where the top contributors used to occupy, I believe this is a recent change?  Top contributors were relegated to the bottom of the page several months ago.  ...

I sometimes have an off-kilter point of view.

I see the Top Contributors list as a roadside attraction on the road trip through the Community Forums—something interesting, that you probably won't stop for and definitely will not make a detour for.

There are between 60 and 70 billboards for "The Thing? Museum" along I-10 starting at El Paso, Texas, heading west across New Mexico, and up to Phoenix, Arizona.

The Forums are a useful tool hosted by Autodesk.
The support content is, by and large, provided by users (Peer Support).
I would like to see the Top Contributors list be given better visibility.

The following is from the Civil 3D Forum. I think it is representative of the forums. (1920 x 1080)

The Forum Modernization has added new and useful information.

As a Forum Frequent Flyer, Part A, is my primary interest. I already know that I want the Forum or Ideas.
(Like many other I bypass this and parachute into the forum via a bookmark.)

My mental muscle memory effectively blurs out everything else. I am trying to be open to the new content.

I do not know how new users react, but is suspect you are gathering metrics.

The Community Manager List, Part B, is in close proximity. This is a good thing.

The Top Contributors List, Part C, is five (5) screens down. I realize this is not intended to be an indication of hierarchy or relative value, but it feels like it is. 

I suggest moving Top Contributors list above the Activity feed.

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@CGBenner wrote:

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@m_kingdon wrote:

I've noticed that community managers are now in the place where the top contributors used to occupy, I believe this is a recent change?  Top contributors were relegated to the bottom of the page several months ago.  I think having the community managers here is a decent design choice, but it would be nice to have the top contributors here also, maybe in two columns. 

Having the top contributors relegated to the bottom of the page still feels like a slap across the face.

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This is another one that has been mentioned many times, but we found in recent discussions that it's almost a 50/50 split between those who love seeing the leaderboards for inspiration, and those who hate them because they create unnecessary competition.  I suspect that, at least for now, we won't see any changes on this one.  I've been wrong a few times on all of this, so let's wait and see....  Thanks, Mike!

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With regard to competition: The Top Contributors List s is not a priority to me. I haven't bothered to put up a profile image.

Here are some less apparent considerations:

• These lists are probably the most visible acknowledgement of user contributions.
  The spotlights are nice too.
• This is a subtle reinforcement message to users, especially new users, that this is peer support.
  Community in action.
• I am not privy to the 50/50 nature of the competition issue. I have been in conversations where it came up. There have been overzealous abuses. I think the good outweighs the bad. Without metrics, I would caution concern as to the depth and breadth of the input you are getting. In this sort of meeting, I would have difficulty saying, "I like to see my name" as a reaction to "I am too virtuous to want recognition."     
• I would check the historical information on occasion. It is nice to see the user legacy. It takes the community past "What did you do for me today?" 
• I do not think metrics and clicks properly assess the roadside attraction nature of the Top Contributors list.
  It acknowledges contributors just by being there and it informs users just be being seen.
  Clicking user profile is much more appropriate within a topic posting or reply.
  Not everything that matters can be counted and not everything that can be counted matters.

"THE THING?  Museum" is in Dragoon Arizona.
It moved there from California in about 1965.
I have been nearby dozens of times and never been tempted to drive a dozen mile out of the way to see it.

 

I guess this post is something of a roadside attraction along the Autodesk Forum Modernization road trip. 

[kerry_w_brown]

@bukola_odunyemi, @CGBenner  et al

Could someone remind me of the purpose and benefits of the Upvote capability applied to the original post in a thread (for forums )
What does it achieve that is more effective than a simple intuitive 'like' of the initial post?

added:  I can see how an Upvote may be applicable to a Blog or Article or WishList/Idea post, but not for a Forum initial post.

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Looking back at the posted images I'm reminded of the issue of waste white space that has not been addressed.

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In my opinion the issues related to forum thread navigation and the required changes to the Replybox functionality are the most important things that the 'team' should be addressing. These two issues ( along with whitespace ) have been high on the user priority list since day one of the modernization adventure.

They are certainly things that limit productive use of the forums.

//----------------------

Regards,

[ChrisRS]

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@kerry_w_brown wrote:

@bukola_odunyemi, @CGBenner  et al

Could someone remind me of the purpose and benefits of the Upvote capability applied to the original post in a thread (for forums )
What does it achieve that is more effective than a simple intuitive 'like' of the initial post?

added:  I can see how an Upvote may be applicable to a Blog or Article or WishList/Idea post, but not for a Forum initial post.

I do not intend to carry water for Autodesk or speak for Chris Benner or the team.
My initial thought was that upvoting a topic meant:

• This is a well-written Topic
        - or -
• Yeah, that is a big goof by Autodesk.

I could not see how this was useful to the user or Autodesk.
During an Office Hours meeting, I found otherwise. It can mean:

• I agree.
• Me too.
• That is significant.

It is also a tool for community managers to determine what topics are important to users.
It can help Forum Frequent Flyers see where their attention is needed.

I dislike the confusion with [Vote] in the Ideas forums, where it is an actual vote.
There is probably a better word, but I can't think of a great one. Maybe [Boost] or [Elevate].

//----------------------

Looking back at the posted images I'm reminded of the issue of waste white space that has not been addressed.

Humm  ...  What is the 'White Space' you speak of?

Shameless plug: Here is a link to a post of mine that helps with white space and makes the upvotes less prominent in the topic listing. Link: [Two (2) Line Topic List] 

The pop-ups will help new users. I have not addressed the actual topic post format.

//----------------------

In my opinion the issues related to forum thread navigation (YES!) and the required changes to the Replybox functionality are the most important things that the 'team' should be addressing. These two issues ( along with whitespace ) have been high on the user priority list since day one of the modernization adventure.

They are certainly things that limit productive use of the forums.

//----------------------

Regards,

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[kacper.suchomski]

Hi everyone

Some time ago I raised the issue here that more and more people are publishing threads on Idea Station about solutions that have already been implemented. From my observations, this trend has been intensifying for ~half a year.

Recently it has become even worse - users are posting direct requests for help in solving the problem on IS.

Naturally I wonder about two things:

1. What could be causing this?
   Could this have something to do with the new forum layout?
   Can the new structure impact the navigational effectiveness of new users?
   Or maybe the cause lies somewhere else? What do you think?
   
   
2. How to solve this?
   The Idea Station link is in the ribbon in many programs. It may be worth creating an analogous shortcut to the appropriate forums.
   Or maybe you have better ideas?
   Or maybe such problems do not occur in other clubs?

I'm curious what it looks like in other environments.

[Simon_Weel]

Uhh, what is Idea Station?

[kacper.suchomski]

Hi Simon

Idea Station is a portal dedicated to submitting ideas for new features/software improvements in future updates.

You can access the portal via the link on the home screen ribbon.

For many years, a significant portion of new features in subsequent updates has come from user suggestions.

[Cadguru42]

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@kacper.suchomski wrote:

Hi everyone

Some time ago I raised the issue here that more and more people are publishing threads on Idea Station about solutions that have already been implemented. From my observations, this trend has been intensifying for ~half a year.

What do you mean by "Idea Station"? Do you mean the Ideas forum? Which product are you talking about? Not all of the products have an Ideas forum. But it doesn't help that Autodesk will claim an Idea has been implemented when it hasn't. At least, in the C3D Ideas forum that's the case.

[GaryOrrMBI]

The newly redefined Forum Home page requires more clicks and more scrolling to get to the actual Forum of interest. This is especially true for anything in the AEC group (which is where I spend pretty much all of my time on here).

Developers, and perhaps tablet/phone users, may not have anything else to do but click on things but for the rest of us it just leads to more carpel tunnel issues...

-G

[kerry_w_brown]

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@GaryOrrMBI wrote:

The newly redefined Forum Home page requires more clicks and more scrolling to get to the actual Forum of interest. This is especially true for anything in the AEC group (which is where I spend pretty much all of my time on here).

Developers, and perhaps tablet/phone users, may not have anything else to do but click on things but for the rest of us it just leads to more carpel tunnel issues...

-G

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Developers, particularly the ones who provide free peer to peer support in these forums are not exempt from the issues you raise.

. . . and we do have better things to do than just "clicking on things" 

Check your assumptions !

added:   A developer tip for you to aleviate your RSI risks :

Make Browser bookmarks for the pages you visit a lot.

Regards,

[kerry_w_brown]

@CGBenner , @kacper.suchomski 

On the topic of Idea Forums . . 

Is this ( attached ) the new expected location for product ideas ??

For @ ChrisRS,

This image is also an example of my mention about "white and wasted space" that you questioned.

Regards,

 

[Simon_Weel]

Idea Station is a portal dedicated to submitting ideas

Ah, the Ideas Boards. 

You can access the portal via the link on the home screen ribbon.

'Ribbon' set me on the wrong foot - I thought it was something accessible from within an application.

[GaryOrrMBI]

Well, this could turn into nasty back and forth stuff real quick.

I'll forego that by simply saying:

The new home page design requires too many clicks and additional scrolling to get to where you're going within the AEC Industry hub especially.

And yes, everyone knows how to create bookmarks, I simply have enough of those already that I need to get my real work done.

Have a good day.

-G

[kerry_w_brown]

@GaryOrrMBI ,

I have no argument with you about the click-fest required to get where you want to go.

I didn't agree with the way you portrayed developers.
I'll leave it at that.

live long and prosper,

[Curtis_Waguespack]

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@Simon_Weel wrote:

Uhh, what is Idea Station?

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@Simon_Weel the first ideas forums were originally called “Idea Station”  when they first came out.

@kacper.suchomski, I was at an event with some of the Inventor developers the last couple of days, and noticed they still use the term “idea station”… so you’re in good company 😉

I’m guessing it might be only the Inventor community still saying it this way?

[kacper.suchomski]

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@Curtis_Waguespack wrote:

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@kacper.suchomski, I was at an invent with some of the Inventor developers the last couple of days, and noticed they still use the term “idea station”… so you’re in good company 😉

I’m guessing it might be only the Inventor community still saying it this way?

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Thank you, that's nice.
I can confirm that (almost) all AEE members on the Inventor forum use the phrase "You can submit it to Idea Station", when we don't find a solution or we think it's worth reporting an improvement.
I don't even know when it changed. 😂

But I don't want to create an empty carousel of posts.

I brought up the Idea Board (Station😉) topic in the context of problems I've noticed recently. I described it in this post:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/announcements-and-meet-greet/community-redesign-modernizing-the-autod...

And I asked openly whether the problems I was seeing might have something to do with the redesign of the community site(s).

I believe that making it easier to use, especially for beginners, should be the strategic goal of these services (as @Gabriel_Watson wrote about once).

[Simon_Weel]

Ok, I get it. The idea forum I visit most is for Revit. I don't see an increase in suggestions / questions about stuff already implemented? What I do frequently see is new posts for ideas already posted. There's some 'AI' involved in listing similar ideas when you post an idea, but either that listing isn't read or people think their idea is unique.

[Tarek_K]

Hi all,

The announcement thread has just been updated with the latest link to the blog post! It will cover more behind-the-scenes updates. All the information you can find here!