Cadalyst - November/December 2008 - (Page 50)

mcadmodeling By Mike Hudspeth, IDSA Ask for What You Want By requesting a software enhancement, you can help improve products for yourself and fellow users. ow many times have you heard someone say, “There are two kinds of people in this world . . . ”? Usually the statement is followed by something either humorous or scary. The humorous statements generally are based on some aspect of human nature that we all can recognize and laugh at. The scary statements sometimes are based on cold, hard fact, but more often they’re based on cold, hard ignorance. Either way, we should be very careful with the scary statements because they are the ones that can come back to bite us. No matter which kind of statement follows, it inevitably will be a broad generalization. But you must remember that although the statements are general (and as such inherently inaccurate), they aren’t necessarily false. Take for instance these two groups: the active and the passive. One group makes things happen; the other watches things happen. Depending on the circumstances, either group might have its advantages. Which group would you like to think you’re in? H customers want. If you’ve never filled out an enhancement request, you’re in the majority. When most people find something in their software they don’t like, they just grumble to whomever is sitting near them, then learn how to get around it or live with it. Those are the passive folks. If you who fancy yourself the active sort, you can visit your modeling vendor’s web site and fill out a form to enact the change. Most software vendors’ web sites have support sections. There you’ll find things such as tips and tricks, tutorials, FAQs, and links to users’ groups. You’ll also usually find a link to an enhancement request form. You may have to dig a Perks vs. Problems A software enhancement request should not be confused with a problem report, or bug — but you should be equally diligent about submitting each. As I’ve modeled, I’ve encountered myriad problems. Some were my fault, but others were caused by the software (figure 2). It happens. Software is made of millions of lines of code, and software engineers are human. A really interesting experience I’ve had on numerous occasions is when I’ve reported something and the technician said, “I didn’t know it would do that.” Get Active Okay, we all know that no one is perfect — least of all companies that sell 3D modeling software. I’ll go out on a limb here and tell you that no matter how good an application is, it can always be better. No matter what 3D modeling package you use, you will eventually find something wrong with it. It won’t do what it’s supposed to do or what you want it to do. Invariably, you will find yourself wishing it would do X, Y, or Z. What can you do? Fill out an enhancement request. The software enhancement request (figure 1) is your opportunity to voice your desires to your software developer. Companies use it to see how they are doing and what their Figure 2. A picture really is worth a thousand words when it comes to explaining a problem or describing an enhancement you’d like. If words aren’t sufficient to get your message across, send a picture! When you have a problem that repeats, take action. First, see if it is file specific. If you can duplicate the problem in other files, then it most likely is software related. Next, see if someone else has the same problem. (This is a good way to gauge whether you as the user are doing something wrong.) If others have the same problem, pick up the phone and call it in. Now, you may incur a cost if you don’t have a maintenance contract, but if you run into the problem often, it’s worth your time and money to request a fix. Ultimately, a software company can’t fix something it doesn’t know about. Figure 1. Here is an example of a software vendor’s enhancement request form. 50 www.cadalyst.com cadalyst November/December 2008 http://www.cadalyst.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Cadalyst - November 2008

Cadalyst - November 2008 Contents Editor's Window CAD Central Tech Trends: Designed after Our Own Image Budget-Conscious Workstations — 64-Bit CAD Power for Less than $2,500 Cadalyst All-Star Awards 2008 SolidWorks 2009 — 3D MCAD Software IES Virtual Environment 5.9 — Building Performance Analysis Software View Point: A Design with Teeth CAD Manager: CAD Manager’s Survey 2008 MCAD Modeling: Ask for What You Want AEC Insight: AEC Software by the Clock CAD Cartoon Issue Indexes Hot Tip Harry: Hot Tips for Cold Days

Cadalyst - November 2008

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