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ptc-51555391-Visitor
1-Visitor
June 20, 2013
Question

Why does PTC insist on Ribbon Interface? Over 40% strongly dislike!

  • June 20, 2013
  • 24 replies
  • 19894 views

Why does PTC insist on pushing the Ribbon Interface in Creo?

 

I personally feel that the Ribbon Interface doesn't work well in 3D CAD software. CAD softwares are geared to use the mouse as the main input device. The demands of everyday CAD work requires users to click away on the interface. For MS Office Suites, the Ribbon Interface works well. This is because the main input device for these tools is the keyboard. People spend more time typing away and uses the mouse seldomly to format what they have typed. And when they use the mouse, the selections are mostly under one tab. Has PTC conducted any real world usuability studies?

 

The Ribbons Interface doesn't make Creo easier to use. It's a smoke and mirrors interface. What I mean by this is that it is an interface that may make Creo look like an MS Office product which PTC thinks will make the public think that Creo is finally "Easy to Use". This interface doesn't adress the true usability issue. It's the same tool with a different skin. PTC needs to overhaul their interface from ground up and provide solutions that is truly innovative.

 

I understand that PTC's management made the decision to license the Ribbon Interface from Microsoft but these management people don't have any clue on how to use the product. When speaking to people from PTC regard the issues with the Ribbons Interface, it sounds like this conversation isn't even open for discussion. They have a lot invested in the interface and managment have given them directives that nobody wants to challenge.

 

Microsoft shouldn't be a company that PTC should look at for inspiration. What is the last innovative product that Microsoft made? Surface Tablet?

 

I feel that PTC has dropped the ball and have ignore its customers needs. When going over the polls in this discussion forum, I find that over 40% of the users don't like the ribbon interface. This is a staggering figure.

 

I'd like to hear what others have to say about this.

    24 replies

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    dgschaefer21-Topaz II
    21-Topaz II
    October 18, 2013

    Forgive me if this has already come up, I admittedly have not read the entire thread.

    This thread keeps coming up and I've always wondered about the 40% figure, so I re-read the original post and found this:

    John Pynkel wrote:

    ... When going over the polls in this discussion forum, I find that over 40% of the users don't like the ribbon interface. This is a staggering figure.

    I'd like to hear what others have to say about this.

    It seems that this is just an observation of the OP from the posts on this forum. Several thoughts:

    1. This is not exactly a scientific or reliable study.
    2. 40% is still a minority.
    3. This is only one forum, there are at least two other active forums of PTC users.
    4. Forums are biased toward users with a gripe. People don't come to a forum, generally, to sing the praises of the software, car or whatever the forum caters to. They come with a complaint or a problem to solve. So, the people without issues will be underrepresented.
    5. With any UI change, a given number of users are going to be unhappy.

    Frankly, given the nature of forums and the nature of UI changes, if there are only 40% of the people here unhappy with the ribbon, I'd say that's a success. What this is saying is of the group of users unhappy enough to log on to a forum to complain, only 40% are complaining about the ribbon.

    S
    23-Emerald III
    StephenW23-Emerald III
    23-Emerald III
    October 18, 2013

    You know, 92% of all statistics are made up on the spot!!!

      S
      SteveFowler1-Visitor
      1-Visitor
      October 22, 2013

      Has anyone been on photoshop 6, I can find hardly anything there anymore and as far as microsoft goes, I struggle with those also. Doesn't really matter if most of the input is keyboard if you can't find the command to enter it. I am still using WF5 so haven't really been exposed to the modeling ribbon. However I use this everyday so I am sure once I find the commands I will probably remember from one day to the next. All the other programs I use only occasionally I will probably always struggle with their ribbons. Even Outlook and Explorer have commands hidden I used to use occasionally and now have to look deeper. Thats just progress and I'm not getting any younger.

        D
        dhermosillo15-Moonstone
        15-Moonstone
        December 14, 2013

        Here's another good comment about the ribbon (the article is good too):

        http://engineerblogs.org/2011/05/proe-my-love-hate-relationship/#comment-18864

        P
        ptc-25068611-Visitor
        1-Visitor
        December 14, 2013

        Hello there,

        I'm a CAD user since '96. I've always fought pro/e cause its horrible interface and not user friendly approach to modeling. The drop down menus were fool and disgusting. It looked like a CAD for disables. I'm not a ribbon fan, but I think that new interface was the right way to change to go toward a modern future. I also understand that is hard and not simple for the older user to adapt themselves to the new and that requires a strong effort to go ahead, but it was necessary to start to be a "normal" CAD.

        Marco

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