Fed up with Autodesk

[RJR89]

Anyone else completely fed up with Autodesk?

Each years release just seems to bring more unproductive gimmicks. The forums are ABSOLUTELY FULL of problems, some as far back as 2008 which Autodesk just seem to ignore rather than resolve.

[machiel.veldkamp]

Yes. However I make my salary using Autodesk products so it's all forgiven. 

[Anonymous]

INV is a quite complex program. IMHO what are you saying is an over-under-estimation. Can you give a concrete problem with high impact (affects many and affects a lot) which you want to be solved?

[RJR89]

The list off problems would be extensive. As I said the forum is full of problems dating back quite far that have obviously been ignored, yet autodesk have introduced loads of new features (like UI changes that don't really change anything/add value). I just don't understand their obsession with these new features as opposed to listening to their customers. Something along the lines of going for the low-hanging fruit to try and justify a hefty annual subscription springs to mind.

I quick browse through the forums will demonstrate my point. 

[Anonymous]

Hi RJR89,

I have used Catia, Pro-e, Solidworks and Autocad in previous contracts over the years and every software has users that complain “about this” or “about that”. Personally, the issues (and this is just my anecdotal observations) tended to be user generated issues and not the software.

When I have (again, just my observations) seen crashes, system lock ups, or whatever issue it has been due to outdated drivers, unsupported “lookalike copy” non-branded cards etc…

As far as gimmicks In the software?. Hum, I actually really like using Inventor for the job I currently do. The UI work flow for me is clean and productive.

Question – Are you using Inventor as intended? Let me qualify that question (I am not being rude here) but, I have heard time and again “the sketch environment does not work like AutoCad, the modelling environment isn’t like solidworks, the FEA environment isn’t like Blah etc…”  

When I have posted here for help (the last 8 years) I have always had a positive response. Autodesk employees have always been courteous, informative and the forum participants have been stellar in their support.

Low hanging fruit – Ha I am not going down that rout ;o)

[RJR89]

Don't get me wrong Inventor is my favoured package and I generally love it. My gripe is with Autodesk themselves. (hence the fed up with autodesk title and not fed up with inventor)

I see posts dated 2008/09/10/11 with forum members asking for really useful functionality but it's evidently being ignored. Instead Autodesk enforce the ribbon UI, ok it looks nicer and is a LITTLE bit easier to use, but the classic UI was perfectly functional. In other words they seem more fixated on fixing things that arent broke as opposed to delivering real improvements.

[Anonymous]

"obviously been ignored"

Obviously not true:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-ideas/idb-p/v1232/tab/most-kudoed

The most voted ideas are "Implemented", "Accepted" etc.

Also there are a lot of accepted ideas here:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/bd-p/78?solved-posts-page=1

In my very small experience - almost 30 (thirty) years of die-hard programming - this community is one of the most knowledgeable which I have seen. The employees are just men with a lot of minuses (yep, I have seen them) but compared to others (not to mention names here) are very, very good.

As I told you: Try to say something concrete and of sensible impact and IMHO you will receive a sensible answer.

[RJR89]

There are still dozens of suggestions being ignored.

Yet gimmicks (Like the Ribbon UI when boiled down, adds no real value)  get added religiously.

Focus on good functionality before ramming gimmicks down our throats is all Im saying.

[Anonymous]

Hi RJR89,

Yes the classic environment was perfectly functional – Just not as nice as the current UI.

I loved my first Car, I used a Key to get in, used a key to start the engine (after pulling the choke button ;o) It had wined down windows and all that – Ahh reminiscing here.

Now my car opens when I get close (key still in pocket) I push the start button (seat and steering wheel auto-adjust to my liking) I twist a dial to D and press the accelerator and go.

Ok, going off topic here, but the analogy is constant development is and will always happen.

Everyday someone is born into this world, every day someone starts there new job, everyday the world is passing us by (one day at a time).

[RJR89]

yes all those features added to your car save you time and effort and add convenience.

the ribbon doesnt really add any of that. So it's costly gimmick rather than an upgrade with a cost attached to it.

[Anonymous]

Hi RJR89,

As I said earlier, I really like the Invetor UI Workflow. Maybe were two sides of a coin here with differing opinions.

I dont understand the "costly Gimmick" you have a beef over. The interface (along with Solidworks - Pro-e / Creo - Solid edge Etc...) have all adopted a similar interface approch.

[RJR89]

so the ribbon was enforced (2013 I think?), and after a bit of a crossover period I got used to it and now really like it.

My specific beef with it can be illustrated with this question. 

Name one thing, honestly, that the Ribbon does substantially better than the Classic UI?
(Spoiler alert, there's nothing.)

Yet there's still request for functionality that would save real time being ignored.

[Anonymous]

Hi RJR89

Are you saying you want MOM back?

(My old Menus).

Checkout @neilcross Youtube TFI CAD TIPS There is one video (cant check here. I.T. blocks youtube) that comments on the old menus and its not as great as you remember.

[RJR89]

No I never said that.

Anyway was just having a rant. It's a forum and participation in rants isn't enforced, was just curious whether my frustrations were shared.

[mcgyvr]

---

@RJR89 wrote:

No I never said that.

Anyway was just having a rant. It's a forum and participation in rants isn't enforced, was just curious whether my frustrations were shared.

---

Yes your frustrations are shared by others (quite a few actually from what I've seen)...

Even Autodesk staff will at least agree with you on many aspects when not in the "public eye" from my experience..

But its really a good lesson in anger management 🙂

There comes a point though when finally just realize you need to forget about it, put your head down and just do your job.. Attempting to fight will do nothing here.. Its absolutely useless...  There is little to no "bang for the buck" in going back and fixing history for them..... 

If a new feature happens to come along that you enjoy.. Hooray!!...  (Its been years for me that I've seen a new feature I was excited about and the ones I have weren't even documented features...last I remember was design view rep drag/drop sorting)

If you find a bug thats getting in your way of your current workflow... Find another workflow..

[mcgyvr]

Ok.. one thing I will say..

I do see value in what they are doing (sometimes...) like the new hole dialog/functionality.. Once I get used to the change I can see it might be an improvement in my modeling speed,etc.... BUT.. If I was given the choice of a new hole dialog or fixing some lingering issues I would NOT choose a hole dialog... The hole dialog seems to make the stakeholders happy though so it gets the development dollars...  But those lingering issues plaque me all the time and fixing them would likely speed up my process even more than a new hole dialog ever will..

[RJR89]

 Attempting to fight will do nothing here - It's only a fight if someone fights with you. like I said participation in forum thread is a choice.

It takes 10 seconds to vent some steam typing on here. But actually getting solutions can take a lot longer, weeks ive found in some cases.

And agreed on the hole dialogue point.

[Anonymous]

As a programmer which knows both parts (inside & outside) of the Ribbon, I
can assure you.



1. I am not a fan of the Ribbon

2. It is easy to implement it

3. It helps a lot with UX & LX, meaning Program acceptance for new
users

4. It behaves much better on screen width constraints

[RJR89]

I'm not sure any of the above compels me to change my mind on the impact of the addition of the ribbon.

I cant recall the Classic UI causing my self or the dozens of other Inventor operators I know using it any problems. I haven't encountered any cases of the Ribbon saving large amounts of time. But again dont me wrong I like it now, however it wouldnt be the end of the world had it never come to exist.

There's other functionality I'd trade places with it in a heart beat.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi RJR89,

Many thanks for your feedback! Your passion is clearly visible in your posting. I appreciate it. I have read the whole thread repeatedly but I have not yet seen a specific issue mentioned. Could you give me an example of a dated issue not yet resolved? I am more than happy to take a look and follow up with project teams and get back to you.

Autodesk Inventor, like it or not, is one of the three most popular professional-grade mechanical design solutions as of today. It is nowhere near perfect in my opinion. There is a lot of room for improvement. However, we do have many customers around the world leveraging the software to do their jobs on a daily basis.

In the end, it is a tool of choice. If it causes you so much trouble, we want to know the specifics and we want to change those. If we could not deliver what you expect, it might be time for you to rethink the choice. I certainly wholeheartedly want you to keep using the tool and giving us feedback. It only helps us build a better product. As long as you use Inventor, we are here to help. Please let us know how we can help you better. This is what the forum is for.

Many thanks!