User Interface

[Stressed]

The user interface has become obsolete and not intuitive because a multitude of new features were added in the last decade, but the interface is almost identical to the user interface a decade ago. Users cannot easily access features because they are buried in places that are not obvious to click.

The interface needs to expose the available features, and the clicks should not be hidden, ie click on boxes that do not clearly indicate a feature is available.

[James]

Thanks for the feedback.

I think it’s worth mentioning that HyperSizer was given a major facelift for version 7 and many customers have told us that is much improved over version 6. For software development, there’s a delicate balance between exposing capability and simplifying the user interface. We’ve found that showing too many options at once is overwhelming to new users. But on the other hand, hiding advanced features in “buried places” can be frustrating for experienced users.

You say that, “The interface needs to expose the available features, and the clicks should not be hidden, ie click on boxes that do not clearly indicate a feature is available.”

Can you be more specific? Which form in particular? Are you talking about the main Project Sizing Form?

In the Project Sizing Form there are many options that are available when you right-click on different fields. For instance, the material creation/assignment options and the cross-sectional linking options. However, the items in the right-click menus are usually short-cuts for the same option that is available on the ribbon at the top of the form. I think it's helpful to provide numerous ways to select things in the software because different software users will have different experience with other engineering software packages.

Please let us know if you have recommendations about improving the user interface.