Jee-Bee wrote: ↑Sun Jul 03, 2022 2:56 pm
...But FC is quite difficult compared with other CAD software!
Hmm...I don't agree that FreeCAD is hard to use. I think it is different than other CAD offerings.
Recently a new user (in another online media haunt) has nothing but great comments on how easy to use and how powerful it is. This particular person is familiar with several commercial offereings and is confused by the "FreeCAD is hard to use" comments. (And, I'd note, he is not the only person to say it is not hard, in more than one online media...) So, why do some have difficulty and other not?
Why aren't we looking into how WE as users / Programmers/ ... can change FC so that the adaption to FC goes more smoothly?
I'm quite sure that every FC User that use also other CAD software can point to one ore more functions within FC that are (way )too complex, work but not with all Workbenches, Inconsistent (selection )methods within a WB / in different WB's, Yes the function that you are looking exist but you can find it in (an unexpected )WB ..., Feature request in one WB while it is basically lack of functionality in another WB (Or in both WB's), etc.
Please, fire up your compiler and show us how you would make all this improvement...
Addressing inconsistencies is a great place to start. But, what is wrong with the workbench concept? Maybe, the right thing to do is make the customization front & center and encourage people to use the capability...in that sense, maybe it would be better to proffer FC as a toolbox, a "some assembly required" Ikea of CAD.
I know that i sound now like a grumpy old men... I don't want to sound like one, but i have sometimes the feeling that Users that are here for some time don't see the weaknesses of the system anymore.
I like to trigger also the long time users here to open your eyes and really spot for improvements and speaccially for users that work with other CAD software too how do i use it in software x, y, ... are there improvements based on what you see there ?
Hmm...there are those who simply attempt to help people use what is available. I don't think there are many long time users who don't see or won't admit there is plenty of room for improvement. Many are very proficient with FC, but, have no background in software development. (After all we don't see every user even making macros.)
A user asks a question, she is not interested in a response like "oh, let me get right on that and code it up for you". They are asking how to do their thing now, if there is a way...not after you get it coded up.
I wouldn't call that closed eyes. But, I also don't agree that just because "it works like this over there and it's so easy" should be a trigger to make FC do it that way (there may actually be more efficient or better ways already...if you ask and are told how).
Note: there ARE plenty of things that could be easier, are just plain missing, confusing, etc. And, there have been many things with similar descriptions that have been fixed over the years...by people who sat down and coded or fixed them. Unfortunately, there are no managers passing out work assignments with deadlines...