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korr10-Marble
10-Marble
January 2, 2012
Question

Must be in related tab to carry out related function in drawings

  • January 2, 2012
  • 2 replies
  • 4635 views

Why is it that in WF5 drawing mode, you cannot select items on the drawing without being on the proper tab? THIS HAS CREATED EXTREME USER FRUSTRATION & INCREASED TIME TO CARRY OUT FUNCTIONS. Not to mention added mouse clicks. To edit text you MUST be in the annotate tab, to carry out simple table functions MUST Table tab, if you want to change the display of a view you MUST be in the Layout tab. If you need to carry out advanced functions, then it makes sense to be on that tab. JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA, IT MAY NOT BE SO.

I would really like to know how they even thoguht this would be a good idea. Just another example of PTC adding effort to our design/documentaion time.


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2 replies

B
BrianMartin13-Aquamarine
13-Aquamarine
January 2, 2012

Hi Kenneth..

I understand your frustration. However, there's a way to select items and move dimensions, notes, symbols, etc without being on the Annotate tab. Simply hold down the ALT key and you'll be able to pick items no matter which tab is active.

Hold down ALT + CTRL to select multiple items. Once we starting using this, it dramatically cut down on the number of complaints we received. I made a tip for our users documenting it... I've attached the tip below.

totd_010.png

Does this help?

Thanks!

-Brian

Patriot_1776
Patriot_177622-Sapphire II
22-Sapphire II
January 3, 2012

Exactly why I have not switched to WF5. I find the new features in the modeling useful, but that P.O.S. MS-like ribbon is hated so much I haven't switched yet even though I got the training some time ago. right now, I don't have time to fight the system and just use what I know works.

Honestly, I really hate the new interface in general and dread switching.

Thanks for that tip though Brian, I'll share it with all my other frustrated users here!

B
BrianMartin13-Aquamarine
13-Aquamarine
January 3, 2012

Yeah I have fielded many calls from annoyed users over the ribbon interface. I've passed these concerns on to PTC. Wildfire 5 feels like Wildfire 2 did back in the day. It feels sort of "half finished". Remember how half of the commonly used functions got the dashboard interface upgrades in WF2... but not ALL functions got it? That's kinda like WF5.

We've gotten much better at navigating the interface. We're looking forward to Creo 1.0 when we can customize and minimize the ribbon. We have much better options in Creo 1 to customize the interface to our liking.

Thanks!

-Brian

Patriot_1776
Patriot_177622-Sapphire II
22-Sapphire II
January 5, 2012

Can I use Creo to model and WF4 to make dwgs? Kidding......sort of...... I'd type more, but I'm busy looking for my brake pedal.........oh wait, I found it.....it's in the trunk because it's more efficient there......

B
BrianMartin13-Aquamarine
13-Aquamarine
January 5, 2012

I think when you finally make the jump to Creo you'll quickly figure out how to use the quick access toolbar to access your commonly-used commands. This will minimize the pain of switching from WF4.

And despite what people say, drawing mode isn't all bad. There are some very welcome additions that really extend the functionality of the package nicely. It's always a bit of a mixed tune... there are great new features that make the software sing. There are also a couple of sour notes in there.

Overall I think you'll have better luck going right from WF4 directly to Creo 1.0 Creo Elements/Pro (Wildfire 5) is sort of half way between the two. It's a bit uneven to switch between the WF4-style interface for modeling and the Creo ribbon style interface for drawing mode. I think jumping into the ribbon with both feet is probably easier.

Customizations to the ribbon aren't really possible in Creo Elements/Pro... but they ARE in Creo. That's another reason to hop directly to Creo 1.0 when the time comes. I don't think the transition will be as bad as you think. You'll either make your peace with the ribbon quickly or else hide it completely and work around it with the quick access toolbar and keyboard shortcuts.

Take care...

-Brian

Patriot_1776
Patriot_177622-Sapphire II
22-Sapphire II
January 10, 2012

Hey Brian.

We're stuck here for now on Creo, but since I haven't been forced to move, I'm working on WF4. When the need for immediate dwgs (like, yesterday!) calms down, I'll probably switch to get it over with. But, since I'm having so many problems in W/C, that's one less headache I need. My eyeballs are getting kinda sore from that stick.....

I think I'll be quick to dump the ribbor permanently. I hate it in Word and Excel, and so hate it here. I think, that after enough research is done, that we'll find out certain people respond to certain interfaces, and some don't. Like some people can do math in their head, and some can't, though they may think in 3D whereas the number-crunchers can't.

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