Touch screen (MS Surface) - Not a great experience

[Chad-Smith]

I've been using an MS Surface device recently to test out the Docs features, i.e. browsing, marking up, etc.

But sadly this doesn't seem to be a very good experience.

In particular, the navigation on sheet views and marking up, certain buttons like colour are able to be selected but then the colour itself does nothing.

This is disappointing because using a pen on the device is a more natural way to markup.

Even more disappointing is that Windows devices like Surfaces are quite prevalent in design and construction, even more so than iPads, but don't seem to have the same support.

ADSK seems to have a fixation on iPads, almost as though there is a secret partnership with Apple, even though they are a less capable device. ADSK products are predominantly Windows-based, so why not provide the same attention to mobility? e.g. a Surface Book can run Revit, and is doubly suitable as a mobile device when on site. An iPad cannot. The same madness goes for ReCap Pro Mobile, but that's for another forum.

Development platform choices at Autodesk be crazy. 

[ilai_rotbaein]

Hi Chad,

We will take a look into those issues and fix them. We are targeting BIM 360 for Surface products as well and while we have not developed a native app for now, the support for the browser based workflows should be seamless. If that’s not the case then we’ll fix it.

Thanks,
Ilai

[zijing.zhang]

Hi @Chad-Smith,

Thanks for your feedback. Currently, Docs doesn't have window app to fully support MS Surface touch screen experience. But, if you are using a Surface in office or on a desk, you could connect with a mouse, which is a walk-around. This may help a little bit. 

If you have any feedback that you would like to submit regarding any enhancement, please click on the “BIM 360 IdeaStation” link on the BIM 360 community home page. This will help the Project Manager and developers hear your voice on any changes/concerns with functionality directly for consideration in future builds.

Thank you and have a great day!

Zijing

[Chad-Smith]

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@ilai_rotbaein wrote:
We are targeting BIM 360 for Surface products as well and while we have not developed a native app for now, the support for the browser based workflows should be seamless. If that’s not the case then we’ll fix it.

---

Thanks Ilai.

While native Windows app support would be great (purely for offline mode), having complete compatibility with a touchscreen/pen in just a browser would definitely be appreciated. The Forge Viewer simply isn't touch friendly, with many features not working.

[avelh]

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[doreen.dvoretz]

Hi @Chad-Smith,

Could you please share which version of the MS Surface device you have, and which browser you're using?
With the Surface Pro 4, which we have at hand, both navigation on sheet views and markups seem to be fully functioning when using Chrome, IE or Edge.

If you could please provide more details, it might help us narrow down the problem you're experiencing. 

Thank you,

Doreen

[Chad-Smith]

Here are some more details on some further testing.

Device: Surface Book 1

Browser: Firstly Chrome (62.0.3202.75), but then MS Edge (41.16299.15.0).

My original comments were on Chrome, but I have since tested on Edge and it performs much better although not perfect.

Using the pen on Edge performs so much better than Chrome. There was a slight delay in Chrome, but Edge is near instant which is great.

Here are some specific things that don't work between the two browsers.

Chrome only

• Markups - Color and Thickness. After pressing Settings, the color and thickness cannot be changed.

Chrome and Edge

• Zoom Window - Cannot draw a window to zoom.
• Split View Mode - Cannot move the view vertical divider line. I get the icon but cannot select it to move.

This is all I have come across so far, but will update should I find any more.

[doreen.dvoretz]

Hi @Chad-Smith,

Thank you for the detailed information.

We'll look into it.

Best Regards,

Doreen

[anil_mistry]

Hi @Chad-Smith,

Thank you for your patience. I will check with @doreen.dvoretz on this issue and will give you an update soon.

Thank you and have a great day!

[anil_mistry]

Hi @Chad-Smith,

Thank you for your patience. As @doreen.dvoretz in her last post saying that they are not able to duplicate this behavior using Surface Pro 4. We are trying to locate Surface Book 1 so we can duplicate this behavior. We will keep you posted. 

Thank you and have a great day! 

[Chad-Smith]

Update.

I have available to me a different touchscreen laptop. A HP Pavillion x360 (model number: 11-u021TU).

This laptop experiences the exact same issues/limitations as per my last post, in both Chrome and Edge. And while not with me at the moment, I can test on the 13" variant of this laptop too.

So this doesn't seem to be limited to just the Surface product line.

Please let me know if there is any further testing I can perform on your behalf with my two touchscreen laptops, as I would really like to see this working correctly. Thank you.

[doreen.dvoretz]

Hi @Chad-Smith,

We were finally able to reproduce the exact same issues you've been experiencing using an Asus touch-based laptop.

We're working to address them as quickly as possible. 

Thank you for reporting the problem!

Best Regards,

Doreen

[Anonymous]

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[doreen.dvoretz · Accepted solution]

Hi @Chad-Smith,
 
I wanted to let you know that the development team has addressed the issues you've mentioned with Windows Touch-Enabled devices.
The fixes will be included in one of the December releases.
 
Thank you for your patience.
 
Best Regards,
Doreen

[dvalcarcelmanzano]

Same issue is happening now for ACC, is there any solution for it?

Regards,

[Derek_Smythe]

I am trying to use a Surface pen with the freehand tool in Bim 360. It works but only if you left click with the little button on the pen.  All other software Knows you are using a pen and does not require the left click.  It is basically impossible to use the pen while trying to hold down that button.  Does anyone know how to change this?