„Insert Feature” from the invisible (!) Insert tab is a big productivity enhancer and, also, a great way to attract new users which are used with direct modellers which are more or less de facto standard in 3D modelling market (mind you, I am not talking here about (M)CAD market only but generally - about 3D modelling market as a whole).
Unfortunately, from a UX perspective, the Inventor's feature of „Insert Feature” is sadly UN-featured. Fortunately, IMHO, the things can be changed easily:
Code changes:
1. Provide an intuitive way to add a feature as the 1st object in Inventor
Description: Now when we start a new part, an empty 3D space appears.
If we press „Start 2D sketch” or „Box” from „Create Freeform” pane, the origin with the 3 basic work planes appear. It is a nice visual effect and a good UX experience guiding the user to select a plane where (s)he will build the sketch/freeform.
Please enable the same behavior with the „Insert Feature” command.
2. Provide an intuitive way to end the edition of the Feature
Description: Click on „Insert Feature”. Choose one (eg. a cone) - enter the dimensions and a scaffold appears allowing you to customize the feature directly in the 3D space. Very neat and very powerful. However, when I want to end the editing phase I find no button „Finish editing feature”. Ok, then, it should work by pressing „Enter”. It doesn't.
Please enable the editing phase of the „Insert Feature” command via Enter key.
Disclaimer: I know - RMB and click Done. However it is frustrating since all the other on-screen phases are finished via Enter. It is a convention from which this workflow deviates.
GUI changes:
1. Add a big button in 3D Model tab, Create pane called „Insert Feature” - really needed for the main purpose of this feature: enhance productivity and streamline the workflow especially for the new users. All the main menus from 3D modelers have this „Add Object” (with the corresponding list of 3D bodies) as their first option.
