Better help documentation and videos

[burnandreturn]

I for one think you need to make better how to videos and documentation.  For all the time you all spend sorting out problems people are having trying to sort out how use the program you could invest some time in much better more comprehensive videos.

I vote for a step by step video series for dummies!  You all have changed so many concepts from "traditional" CAD programs that the program is not at all intuitive to all but the brightest.  I am not one of that group so need more help!  It seems the help and videos jump all over the place without a lot of consistency.  It seems I spend as much time looking for a video or help topic as I do watching and reading.

Just my .02 cents worth of observation.

[JDMather]

I think open forums such as this provide perhaps the most efficient form of "documentation" available in the 21st century.

If you can formulate a question or problem description - multiple users, both expert and beginner, can contribute in a collaborative "crowd-source" information environment working towards a solution to the problem.  I often see users post that they spent hours searching on their own, and then someone here responded with solution within minutes of posting the question.

Do  you have a specific problem description?

A lot of times I will dismiss (with some aggrivation) responses by beginners, but then every once in a while a beginner who doesn't know better makes a suggestion that I never would have considered because "I already know it all!"  Their suggestion might not be of professional caliber - but it prompts a different line of productive thought.

I would like to see more use of the Autodesk Screencast for tutorials and documentation and problem definition.

Anyone running into a problem could  refer to an exact time step in the recording.  If it is "professionally" produced documentation sponsored by Autodesk - the video could be tagged for editing similar to wikipedia.

Where Autodesk is really missing the boat, in my opinion, is  in not "capturing" the "professional" instructors.  In my experience I estimate that only about 10% of all users of any CAD program (and this includes the "instructors") really know how to use the program.

That 10% manages to find a way to self teach.  The remaining 90%....  ...oh well!

Post specific questions.

Make Screencast recordings where appropriate.

Reference exact url of flawed or incomplete or poorly understood information.

[burnandreturn]

The approach you mention wastes a lot of time on everyone's part. It is a very poor approach to teaching any subject. I have been on both sides meaning as a teacher and a student. How much time gets wasted trying ti figure things out? Proper documentation would allow new users to go step by step to build a proper set of skills. It is a good thing pilots don't learn to fly with your method!!!!

[Pedro_Bidarra]

"It is a good thing pilots don't learn to fly with your method!!!!"

Good analogy, but not for your intents, pilots learn to fly with a lot of training in simulators and then simpler and smaller aircrafts. No pilot reads a manual and is instantly habilitated to fly an Airbus.

People can have different opinions, obviously, as long as it's constructive criticism, pointing exactly where, how and why something could be better implemented. But what I don't understand, and is totally uncalled for, is the vitriolic nature of your comments.

[burnandreturn]

There is nothing vitriolic in my posts. I only stated my opinion just the same as you and JDMather stated his. Do you think his post was vitriolic because he disagreed with me? I didn't at all. He stated his opinion and I stated mine. So get over it!!! And even in small aircraft there is lots of theory and instruction before one solos.

For my way of thinking the trial and error method of learning Fusion wastes a lot of time. If someone is very familiar with something they overlook or don't take a big notice of things. Imagine driving into someone's property for the first time. You notice things that the owner is so used to seeing everyday that they take no notice. I know realtors that when they list a property have someone come and look and tell them what sticks out or what they notice first. Or things if they were buying would have to be changed.

Autodesk should hire me to do their documentation!! I would do everything wrong (not on purpose) and so would need a step by step guide to get it right. Just sayin'

[Pedro_Bidarra]

"So get over it!!!"

I rest my case.

[CGPM]

https://myigetit.com/Library/Topics/69?name=Autodesk_Fusion_360

This is the gold standard of Fusion training, at least when I did it just over a year ago, and I think still free for the fist month or two.  If you think Autodesk's training material for Fusion is bad now you should have been trying to learn it 1-1/2 years ago, it was pathetic!!!!!!  I came to Fusion from a 15 year old wire frame cad/cam program, it was a big learning curve.  Without Myigetit I don't think I would  have stayed with Fusion, but now I am so glad I did!

[Oceanconcepts]

There are different learning styles, and different contexts in which documentation is needed. Videos are great for in-depth training, and if they are indexed and searchable as JD suggests they become exponentially more useful. But following a video session is time consuming if all you need in a hint on how to access a particular function. I can scan print documentation to find what I need far faster than I could go through a video. 

Fusion will appeal to lots of non-truadional CAD users. People like me, whose primary focus is elsewhere. We will probably never become proficient at all aspects of the program, we just try to pick up the tools we need to get a particular job done. I came to Fusion (Project Forge, then) from modest experience in solid modeling, and had no problem using the program right away. I’m not likely to sit through a lengthy basic tutorial. But I still find I need a reference to specific tools and quirks of the program- the quicker and easier to access the better. 

The forums contain a wealth of information, but the search functions and interface make it often difficult to find. But questions do get answered, consistently. 

I don’t think there is any one solution to help. Sometimes you need a quick answer to a specific question- for that traditional text and picture documentation is ideal. At the other end of the spectrum are training in optimal workflows to accomplish complex tasks- for that video training sessions can get more in depth. Some are coming from little or no CAD background, others are coming from being, say, SolidWorks pros. Each will have different needs. 

Following JD’s suggestions on forum posts would help build the archives into a better reference. Maybe they should be included in the interface- “how to post a question”. 

There is clearly a lot of work going into help resources for Fusion, I’m sure that will continue. We can help by making positive and specific suggestions when things are not clear or could be improved. 

[burnandreturn]

OK,  I have been reading, watching videos,  etc..    What I find are a lot of outdated videos that don't reflect  the updates to the program.   It would seem to me the logical thing to do would be to take down the obsolete videos and tutorials.  Just sayin'