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! 

[Tarek_K]

Hi all, 

following up after the blogpost saying that I have updated and adjusted the base of things I sorted and logged from here with the recent updates made and announced by Bukola on the blog I linked in my previous post.

Just a reminder in this post here I have currently the table which updates accordingly live for you to view, once I made the update in there. 🙂 

Also @Simon_Weel yes, I have listed that also as line item #7 in the list! So this is covered, but I added your name to it. 🙂 

In addition on these items the status has changed from the latest update released now. 

I dont know yet what´s included in the coming cycle of updates, but I will bring the and the elements listed and reproduced by me here on the list into the discussion! 🙂 

Hope you all here feel with these updates having gone live on these items already a bit of improvement. Let me know if you have questions! 

[Cadguru42]

Does no one at Autodesk actually look at their changes before publishing for the masses? Why is there a huge banner for posting to the Autodesk Gallery above the posts in the C3D forum?

[ChrisRS]

---

@Cadguru42 wrote:

Does no one at Autodesk actually look at their changes before publishing for the masses? Why is there a huge banner for posting to the Autodesk Gallery above the posts in the C3D forum?

---

We've been Branded!

This was covered in the recent blog. 
It does not majorly hinder functionality.

Like on a road trip, there are billboards for roadside attractions that you glance at, but you don't take the detour. There are some folks who do.

• I find it interesting that on a Full HD screen, no topics are visible.
• As of the time of this reply, the banner is not displayed in Civil 3D Ideas.
  Isn't "let there be anything" the point of posting our ideas?
• I find the "Let there be anything" campaign mildly offensive.

[Cadguru42]

So the issue of excessive space and not even getting to see the posts for the forums without scrolling didn't get "fixed", but instead got worse. I thought the banner was supposed to be the stuff up top when something's being worked on and only temporary. I didn't realize it was going to make the forums even more idiotic looking by taking up 1/4 of the limited vertical spacing on a forum home page. 

Tarek seems to be paying attention, but so far it's only lip service. There's no need for a giant banner of non-product related stuff on a product's forum. There's already a problem with how much wasted space & useless information is used and this made it 25% worse.

This should be simple. People go to a product forum to read & create posts about a product. Why is it Autodesk cannot be bothered to make it where posts can even be seen on a product forum without scrolling down? There's not even an indicator that a user should scroll down to see posts.

[kerry_w_brown]

@ChrisRS , @Cadguru42 ,
I agree : There is a perfectly useless 180mm to spare in the right side gutter they could have used !

I just asked Mrs Google (She who knows all) "first rule of web website design" 

The first and most important rule of website design is simplicity and clarity.
 This means avoiding unnecessary clutter, ensuring easy navigation, 
and prioritizing the user's experience above all else. 
By keeping the design simple and uncluttered, websites become more user-friendly 
and effective, guiding visitors towards their intended goals. 
Here's why simplicity and clarity are so crucial:
User Experience:
A clean and simple design is easier for visitors to navigate and understand,
 leading to a more enjoyable and productive experience. 
Focus and Attention:
 Unnecessary clutter distracts users from the main content and purpose 
 of the website, hindering their ability to find information 
 or complete actions. 
Effective Communication:
A simple design helps users quickly grasp the core message and 
 purpose of the website, making it easier to communicate effectively. 
Usability:
 A well-designed website is not only aesthetically pleasing but also
 practical and easy to use, fostering a positive user experience. 

**added**  I re-read this just now and was aware that there is no mention of 'advancing the brand' or 'impress potential customers' or increasing sales potential' , it's all about the users.

Stay well,

[a.laasW8M6T]

Yes that's a bit ridiculous.

Especially considering  the reasoning for Moving the Pinned posts from that area to their current obscure location was to prevent users from having to scroll too far to find the "Activity Feed"

[ChrisRS]

Serenity Prayer "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

In the case of this forum redesign, I accept that some things won’t change, but Autodesk could certainly reconsider its usability priorities.

---

@Cadguru42 wrote:

So the issue of excessive space and not even getting to see the posts for the forums without scrolling didn't get "fixed", but instead got worse.
The excessive white space issue is tied to the vendor's templates, making adjustments a substantial effort. The lack of resolution doesn't indicate neglect but rather the scale of the challenge. Given how extensively this concern has been reported, I choose to focus on issues where change is more feasible.
I thought the banner was supposed to be the stuff up top when something's being worked on and only temporary. I didn't realize it was going to make the forums even more idiotic looking by taking up 1/4 of the limited vertical spacing on a forum home page. 
Announcement Banners The structured use of Blue, Yellow, and Red banners anchored to the Hero Header aligns with expectations. This approach is logical and unobtrusive.
Engagement Banners Introducing what I term 'Engagement Banners' shifts the focus. While announcements have utility, the Gallery Banner feels unnecessary in this context. (Spoiler: Yes, it’s about the gallery.) I am not a fan!

Tarek seems to be paying attention, but so far it's only lip service. There's no need for a giant banner of non-product related stuff on a product's forum. There's already a problem with how much wasted space & useless information is used and this made it 25% worse. I concur, but the decision-makers clearly do not. 

This should be simple. People go to a product forum to read and create posts about a product. Why can Autodesk not be bothered to make it so that posts can be seen without scrolling down? There's not even an indicator that a user should scroll down to see posts. 

Autodesk has invested significant time and resources in surveying users, concluding that many want more than just a peer support forum. The modernization team is responsible for delivering that 'something more' while retaining its original function. However, multiple teams with differing objectives, alongside a vendor imposing design constraints, complicate execution. 

@Cadguru42, you and I want a thoroughbred peer support racehorse. Instead, the team is assembling an overburdened camel.
If peer support remains intact within this effort, I’ll root for it to somehow cross the finish line—and call it a win. After all, low expectations are easier to exceed."

---

Serenity Now!

I accept that some things in this forum redesign are beyond changing. But the decision-makers at Autodesk could certainly reconsider usability priorities. Until then, I’ll channel my inner Frank Costanza.

SERENITY NOW!

 - Frank Costanza 

Link: Seinfeld - SERENITY NOW! 

                The Costanzas are driving in the car.

                ....

Frank:     SERENITY NOW!  SERENITY NOW!

George:  What is that?

Frank:     Doctor gave me a relaxation cassette.
                When my blood pressure gets too high,
                the man on the tape tells me to say, 'Serenity now!'

George:   Are you supposed to yell it?

Frank:     The man on the tape wasn't specific.

[kerry_w_brown]

My new standard to live by:

" After all, low expectations are easier to exceed."

. . . Just kidding 😋

[m_kingdon]

I don’t necessarily mind the idea of a campaign banner that is frequently updated with new Autodesk projects and campaigns.  The problem I have is the amount of space the banner occupies, paired that with the already spacey design of the community page and we are left with a bloated page that feels less functional as a community space and more like a PR town square.

This does somewhat undermine the argument for removing the pinned posts.  We were told this was to save space and make the forum more functional and the content easier to access without having to scroll, but now the space is being occupied by non-forum PR content.

I think this design is being influenced and pulled in various directions by too many departments.  It feels increasingly like a design by committee situation and those rarely produce a favourable outcome.

[m_kingdon]

You should also have a look at the ACC forum, there is a banner under another banner.

[Cadguru42]

---

@Cadguru42 wrote:

Does no one at Autodesk actually look at their changes before publishing for the masses? Why is there a huge banner for posting to the Autodesk Gallery above the posts in the C3D forum?

---

This doesn't even make sense. If this is the Civil 3D Forum, why is there a banner for a non-C3D related feature so prominent below the forum header? It implies that it's part of the C3D forum, but it's not. If anything, it should be above the forum navigation banner and below the Community banner. 

But what do I know? I only use the forums to read posts, which apparently Autodesk doesn't think is worthy enough to even see on the home screen of a product forum. 

[rmoore1]

Autodesk doesn't like it but some of us have resorted to browser addins to get rid of the useless junk.

[kacper.suchomski]

I wanted to applaud the restoration of post numbers and links. It's a good back!

Can we expect page numbers to return to topic lists (maybe instead of upvotes) and to the top of the topic so we don't have to scroll through 20 replies to get to the last one?

[pendean]

@rmoore1 Its the only way to go.

[ChrisRS]

Looks Good!

I am quite certain that Autodesk does not care. 😁 

Good Luck!

[kerry_w_brown]

---

@rmoore1 wrote:

Autodesk doesn't like it but some of us have resorted to browser addins to get rid of the useless junk.

---

I'm waiting for them to say "we're done" before I do the same thing.

Regards,

[pball]

I couldn't wait. I did have to update things recently but it's worth it for me. I stopped browsing the forum as much before I cleaned up things to my liking.

[ChrisRS]

@kacper.suchomski wrote:
            

I wanted to applaud the restoration of post numbers and links. It's a good back!

See below.

Can we expect page numbers to return to topic lists (maybe instead of upvotes) and to the top of the topic so we don't have to scroll through 20 replies to get to the last one?

I strongly agree.

---

I, too, was happy to see the post (Message) numbers return. 
I have changed my mind.

During an office hour session, I had discussed their utility in cross-referencing within replies.
At that time, the Link icon was not working, and I was not familiar with the options menu permalink. I did mention that when threading becomes available, the need for numbering would be less. At that time, threading was imminent.

The post number is not static, but changes based on the discussion sort order, newest to oldest, oldest to newest, or threaded (User-Forum preferences - Linear Layout),.
Post numbers are not suitable for making cross-references.

Currently, my Sort order is set to Oldest to Newest, the default value.

Your post number is 713 of 716. This reply will become 717 of 717.

Example : Hi, @kacper.suchomski. This is about your reply number 713.

Setting my sort order to Newest to Oldest,

Your post number becomes 5 of 716. This reply will become 717 of 717.

My example post will still say: Hi, @kacper.suchomski. This is about your reply number 713.

The correct cross-reference would be 5.

Setting my Linear Layout to Threaded,

Your post number becomes 717 of 717. This reply will become 718 of 718.

My example post will still say: Hi, @kacper.suchomski. This is about your reply number 713.

The correct cross-reference would be 717.

 

 

 

PI no longer see value for including Post number.

The "Link" and Peralainks are the only reliable cross-reference mechanisms.

What are your thoughts?

As implemented. post numbers take up valuable vertical space.

This is not as big an issue on the actual discussion page and is a personal preference.

The post numbers, if retained, can be on the same line as the author, on the right with the post date and time.

Original:

Proposed

I find the placement on the right less distracting.

Comparison.

The height difference is not great.

[ChrisRS]

A form has not been submitted for this reply.
I am looking for, and open to, feedback!

@Tarek_K wrote:

Hi all,

going through the posts 1 by 1. and making a bigger post. 🙂

...

I will build on @Tarek_K's post.

• These previously submitted issues have not been addressed. I do not know where they stand in the analysis and prioritization process.
• None of these issues severely decreases Forum Functionality. I would not classify them as urgent.
• They do, however, decrease usability and thus increase user frustration. They are part of the excess whitespace/height issues
  I would classify them as Important.
• Addressing these issues would improve usability and user satisfaction.

Hero Header: Add Reply Page Navigation and Back to Top

I previously posed about this. / this linked one / by @ChrisR (2025-01-21): Add Reply Page Navigation and a Back to Top button to the Hero Header.

I think something like this would make navigation easier.

1. Add Navigation to the Hero Header. (Notifications and Collapse/Expand are discussed later)
2. I would like to see the search Icon located as shown. This is a preference, not an issue. See further discussion below.
3. This is the version I would like to see when the Hero Header is collapsed.

Detailed views with suggested Tool Tips,

4. Full height Hero Header.
5. Collapsed Hero Header. 

 

This layout provides the desired navigation tools.

• By locating these tools in the Hero Header, they remain visible while scrolling.
• Tools Tips will help all users, especially new users.
• A major UI complaint has been excessive white space and excessive scrolling. Providing this navigation array in an always visible location eliminates some of the scrolling.
• I have since rethought the array layout and feel that a more compact array is adequate.
  This maintains more room for the navigation breadcrumbs. (See My Reply for a breadcrumb discussion.) 
  Something like:   [<]  3  [>]  [↑], where 3 is the current page. The current page should be clickable and allow users to type in a page number. *
• A Collapse/Expand button would be nice, but not necessary.
• In the January post, I suggested that the bottom of the page navigation array was unnecessary.
  Because space usage at the bottom of the page is not an issue, and because there is room for a more robust navigation array, I think it should be retained.
  Something like:   < Previous   1 ... 16   17   18   ...   35     Next >       -or-       [<<]  [<]  17   [>]  [>>], where 17 is the current page.
  The current page should be clickable and allow users to type in a page number. 

Hero Header: Settle on a Single Search

See previous post, / this linked one / by @ChrisRS (2025-02-17): Simplify Search - Add to Hero Header.

Note: this is based on the pre-April 30 appearance.

Currently, these pages have three search elements. I suggest replacing them with a single search in the Hero Header.
My incomplete knowledge is based on what I have discovered ** and the discussions in this thread.

Advantages of a single search entry in the Hero Header

• The current search entries function differently, but there is no explanation. The "C" pop-up seems to be able to do everything needed.
• There is less to learn for new users.
• The pause to ask "Is this the one I need?" is eliminated.
• There is improvement in the white space/height situation. 
• Using the search pop-up eliminated the need for the search bar in the header.
• To be consistent with the mobile version, the Search Icon should be moved to the right of the notification icons.
• An example is shown above.
• The Hero Header is more Heroic.
  

Collapsed Considerations

New thoughts on the Hero Header Collapse mechanism.

• This is a good feature. It does not help with the initial view height situation, but it is an improvement when scrolling.
• The collapsed header hides the search, notifications, and User icon.
  This is useful information that would be nice to have visible, but it is also a potential distraction
  • Add an icon to expand, ▲, or to collapse, ▼, the header. (Best option?)
  • Add a go to top icon, ↑. Pressing it will position the browser to the top and cause the header to expand.
    (I would find this satisfactory, but it might clash with your design aesthetic.)
  • Consider shifting this information to the top line of the collapsed Hero Header. (The shift may confuse users.)

Negligible Notifications

The notification icons in the Hero Header are very difficult to read. When this change occurred, there was considerable discussion about whether this was an error or a design decision. After giving it due consideration, I chose to have no opinion on the matter. That said, I am not a fan. It is hard for me to imagine that the low visibility is an advantage for new users unfamiliar with the system.

6. This is an enlarged view of the notification area. There is a barely visible icon. When you roll over the icon, a scarcely visible outline shows up, indicating it is clickable. Tool tips would be a big help. The tiny, muted red dot indicating that you have a notification is very easy to overlook.
   This may be by design to avoid a cluttered interface by fading out non-applicable information. If so, it can be improved.
   When there is an active notification, Switching the notification icon to solid white, or some other method, would be a vast improvement.  [Edit 2025-06-23]
7. Likewise, when entering the text editor, the notification that you have auto-saved information is hard to read. This notification only shows up when you have auto-saved information, so there is no reason to downplay the idea that it can be loaded. I do not see how this can be an advantage for new users. Please fix it.

Conclusion
I thank all of these suggestions are enhancements to forum usability.
I acknowledge that the issues mentioned do not significantly harm forum functionality.
I also acknowledge that some of what I have said is personal preference.

I would be interested to see what other users think.

Please feel free to comment.

* It could be enlightening to the team if an Autodesk employee not associated with the modernization project was tasked with searching this thread for posts 150 and 475 and reporting on the experience.

[Tarek_K]

Hi all,

thanks for the ongoing comments. I just want to say I read them all and I understand and feel them by myself too. Though what I have done now: 

Except for a few issues, all of the issues in the list view I shared have now been sent to our product team as reproducible bugs or actionable improvements, where I am weighing in on the prioritization. We've also made recommendations about the most pressing usability elements, so they are hopefully resolved sooner rather than later within some sprint cycles (note a cycle is always two weeks though).

On the UX elements @ChrisRS @kerry_w_brown I added them to the corresponding listed item when it comes to the improvement suggestions, for e.g., the header. 

@kacper.suchomski this you can already find in the list view of all the things I have gone through with line number 64, though. I definitely have brought it in and will raise it. 

@m_kingdon thanks for raising the ACC one - it is in the list I shared, now in position 131. If you would say which would be more valuable for the ACC board, which one would you choose? Just asking to give along a bit of options to consider. 

Where I need your help as there are three outstanding issues neither me nor any of my team member has been able to reproduce:

• [Issue 84]: The like button is not working until the page has been refreshed. This was reported in January and there have been a few releases since then, so I wanted to check if this is still occurring before we deem it as solved. @cadguru42
• [Issue 88]: The 'All Activity' drop-down on the user profile causes the profile to crash and remove profile information from the screen. This was reported in March - is this still occuring? [Curtis Waguespack]
• [Issue 16]: Clicking the back button on mobile whilst viewing an image sends the user down a few messages. This was reported in May, but we have not been able to replicate this.

Any further screenshots, screen recordings or steps to reproduce alongside browser/mobile device details would be helpful in helping us reproduce the issues so our development team can fix.

Also, I did hear you that the list is hard to find - my question to this group engaging here though, same as I asked earlier in a post of mine: As the thread is quite long - should we do a new one, with the list I have first and formost at center and we can have discussions on the listed items or any other thing there? Then it also makes it easier to be fair to discover new elements in these discussions. But I want to leave this to this group (if you support just give a like) 

Thanks a lot everyone!