An open letter that reflects customer perspectives on Autodesk in 2020.

An open letter that reflects customer perspectives on Autodesk in 2020.

Simon_Weel
Advisor Advisor
6,416 Views
14 Replies
Message 1 of 15

An open letter that reflects customer perspectives on Autodesk in 2020.

Simon_Weel
Advisor
Advisor

I expected this to be a Hot Topic in this forum, but I either missed it or nobody has made a post about it? See this open letter to Andrew Anagnost, President and Chief Executive Officer, Autodesk.

 

http://aecmag.s3.amazonaws.com/AEC_Autodesk_customer_letter.pdf

 

And the accompanying article in AEC Magazine:

https://www.aecmag.com/comment-mainmenu-36/2046-autodesk-aec-customers-demand-better-value

6,417 Views
14 Replies
Replies (14)
Message 2 of 15

L-Vettz
Collaborator
Collaborator

That's because this is a Revit help forum. Not a news forum. People post problems they are having with software bugs/workflows/etc here and other users reply with solutions. Anybody really invested in the letter and the response has very much likely already read it. This is just not the appropriate place for that discussion.

-LV
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Message 3 of 15

barthbradley
Consultant
Consultant

@Simon_Weel: Thanks for sharing it with us.  

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Message 4 of 15

ToanDN
Consultant
Consultant
Message 5 of 15

jcortelyou
Advocate
Advocate

This is something that I also expected some more motion on in forums - they've really "cleaned up" the categories so you must “Stay on Point” and not disrupt the "learning process".  

 

Couple things here.  Over the years I have been a huge critic of this poorly written piece of software.  When I first started using it years ago I was like "huh - you're freaking kidding me" as to how unintuitive it was to use.  I did a few things - presented things I thought could be improved, commented on specific issues and actually tried to help other people figure some things out. 

 

What I found in most cases was surprising - not only did the company not give a hoot but the users themselves were/are so convinced that this program is GOD that they would Bully you for commenting on anything negative and blast you for thinking like a human being.  

 

I'm lucky enough to come from not only a Construction Background but a Media/Music/Arts background as well.  I have had the benefit of working with many pieces of software over the years to make a living.  Most all of them turn over at a RAPID pace - they are competitive with their rivals and fight for every last user.  They do this by making the creative process more enjoyable - they create vibrant user interfaces, simplify work flow, and create new ways of making digital art exciting.  Not only are you buying new versions and upgrades but you are like a Kid waiting for them to be released because of the fun it’s going to bring to your job. 

 

 This is where Autodesk Fails – over and over again.  “Move on - people nothing to see here – get back to work”.  Not only is there very little innovation – they again are completely stubborn and RUDE when accepting criticism from the users who put food on their table. 

 

“And while we don’t agree with everything in the letter….”  - Really??  Here we go again.  It’s this type of response that makes people angry.  Stop being Defensive and LISTEN to what people are saying.  Instead Amy Bunzel starts ranting about the Cloud and Lies about Revit’s Performance – Lady what are you talking about??!! 

 

These people are so detached from reality, most have never created a set of drawings or worked on a real project before and the ones that have probably do not hold any position of power within the company to make real change – otherwise we would have received a completely different answer. 

 

As a Designer, I have my own plans for the future – especially now that I know nothing will change in the near future with Revit.  

 

First – I am using Revit for Emergencies Only – There are times where it’s a valuable tool but I make sure I know what I’m getting into before I start something In it.  Second – I am using Sketchup & AutoCAD more and more these days to present my ideas to clients – it’s easier and honestly looks just as good with Vray Attached.  Third – I am looking at other options for 2021 and as someone who has to manage and create I am looking into what the easiest workflow is to bring older projects into other Vendor’s Software – this is the tricky part and why people haven’t thrown in the towel all together.  Revit is very difficult to export/import and retain information into another program.  You’re losing hours of work and lots of money unless you are fortunate enough to keep the license for revisions. 

 

I could go on and on and get really specific about the shortfalls of Revit.  What’s even more disappointing is AutoDesk’s response – “[INSERT CUSS WORD HERE]”.  That's the reason I will be leaving permanently. 

 

Message 6 of 15

RobDraw
Mentor
Mentor

Sorry, but this is not the place for such opinions. This is a user help forum. Users helping users. There is a product feedback page where your thoughts would be more appropriately place, or even better, you can make a blog.


Rob

Drafting is a breeze and Revit doesn't always work the way you think it should.
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Message 7 of 15

jfjacques
Collaborator
Collaborator

Actually this is the exact place for this kind of feedback .

 

If Autodesk did not abuse its monopoly, the Revit learning forum, as well as other Autodesk forums, would not contain so many frustrated users. As this letter proves, increasing costs, superficial updates, and legacy workflows are not inevitabilities, but the direct result of abusive business practices.  For those of us not at the head of international architectural practices, changing this reality means getting involved in small ways, such as on this forum. To that end, if you believe that Autodesk is abusing its monopoly and/or that this should be something lawmakers look into, I suggest you note it in in your signature - I will be doing so.  

 

I was happy to see this letter address important issues that often don't get enough air, such as the lack of multi-threading and Autodesk's generally patronizing attitude. I was also ecstatic to see this letter cleave to the heart of the matter, by proposing a complete customer centric retooling of Revit. (Something which I've advocated for 3ds max for many years now. )

 

Large software companies have been able to coast on a lack of contemporary anti-trust and anti-competition laws for quite a while. This has allowed companies like Autodesk to abuse its customers, and to thumb its nose at those users requesting better software - where else are they to go after all? This context is beginning to change. In a follow-up to its anti-trust/anti-competitive behavior hearings, the US congress aggressively argued for the need for stronger enforcement and a different set of standards. Though Autodesk was not part of these hearings, there is overwhelming evidence that it should be fined for its behavior. There's also a growing body of evidence that argues that the only way to keep 3d software evolving at a steady pace, is to break-up Autodesk.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Message 8 of 15

RobDraw
Mentor
Mentor

@jfjacques wrote:

Actually this is the exact place for this kind of feedback .


 

You also are wrong. Have a look around and tell me how many threads you see about customer complaints and editorials. This is a user help forum. A place for users to ask questions and get solutions. It is not a discussion group for unhappy customers. There are other more appropriate places for your opinions and where you can find like minded people. 


Rob

Drafting is a breeze and Revit doesn't always work the way you think it should.
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Message 9 of 15

Mohamed-Nassar
Collaborator
Collaborator

Wow Thanks for share this

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the above reply answers your question; Please mark it with ACCEPT SOLUTION
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mohamed Nassar , ACP, Autodesk Ambassador Gold
BIM Support / Structure Modeler
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Message 10 of 15

Mohamed-Nassar
Collaborator
Collaborator

Sorry this comment by wrong

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the above reply answers your question; Please mark it with ACCEPT SOLUTION
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mohamed Nassar , ACP, Autodesk Ambassador Gold
BIM Support / Structure Modeler
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Message 11 of 15

HVAC-Novice
Advisor
Advisor

This forum has a "Revit ideas" subforum. Even relatively simple but useful requests get ignored by Autodesk for years (or ever in most cases).  The ideas forum is not for users to help users, it is for users to communicate with Autodesk. The problem is, no one is listening on the other side. 

 

One could also argue the user forum would be less busy if the simple and reasonable requests for improvements would be implemented. The standard response for many problems is either to put it in the ideas forum, or program it in dynamo. What? I'm paying how much for a software and still have to program simple features myself? 

 

I work with other software that is on expensive subscription. But there is very reasonable improvement every few months and the workflow improves quite a bit every year. And that subscription includes direct support. And I also saw that some of the ideas I brought up were implemented in future versions. 

 

These open letters and any complaints won't do much. If there is no valid alternative, nothing will change. 

 

I'm also under the impression recent improvements were targeted towards fabrication. So what is it, a design tool for designers, or a tool for contractors? 

 

Another problem are all the software in the suite. Most is useless, or redundant. Many do the same thing, just in varying quality. If the features are useful, integrate them in one software. 

 

Then the "wrong results" features like HVAC loads and lighting. Either implement a solution that actually works and provides correct results a professional can use, or remove the feature. Right now we have mislead designers actually using Revit for HVAC load and lighting design. I can't blame them, since a professional expansive software could be expected to provide correct results. A bad feature is worse than no feature. Maybe this is just a checklist item so they can say it does load calculation. Yes, you can, except the results are totally wrong. 

Revit Version: R2026.4
Hardware: i9 14900K, 64GB, Nvidia RTX 2000 Ada 16GB
Add-ins: ElumTools; Ripple-HVAC; ElectroBIM; Qbitec
Message 12 of 15

RobDraw
Mentor
Mentor

@HVAC-Novice wrote:

This forum has a "Revit ideas" subforum.


 

But that is not where you are at.

 


@HVAC-Novice wrote:

Even relatively simple but useful requests get ignored by Autodesk for years (or ever in most cases).  


 

Pure speculation. Heard it so many times about ideas that are mundane that it has no meaning here. Most likely there are other priorities or the "idea" is not supported by the powers that be or even the industry. 


Rob

Drafting is a breeze and Revit doesn't always work the way you think it should.
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Message 13 of 15

HVAC-Novice
Advisor
Advisor

You are right, we are not legally entitled to improvements. 

Revit Version: R2026.4
Hardware: i9 14900K, 64GB, Nvidia RTX 2000 Ada 16GB
Add-ins: ElumTools; Ripple-HVAC; ElectroBIM; Qbitec
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Message 14 of 15

RobDraw
Mentor
Mentor

There has been an intelligent conversation about this going on since this letter came out over in at RevitForum.org with some of the brightest minds in the field and at least one Autodesk representative.

 

That is just one example of an appropriate place for you all to go.

 

Good luck!


Rob

Drafting is a breeze and Revit doesn't always work the way you think it should.
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Message 15 of 15

HVAC-Novice
Advisor
Advisor

thanks for pointing us there. 

So you don't have to google, here the link to the thread

 

I agree with the general sentiment of that thread that there is "room for improvement" 

 

Revit Version: R2026.4
Hardware: i9 14900K, 64GB, Nvidia RTX 2000 Ada 16GB
Add-ins: ElumTools; Ripple-HVAC; ElectroBIM; Qbitec
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