Topic: Alternative CAD Interfaces. Looking for feedback please.

[gmyroup]

The pre-alpha version of the CAD interface WITHOUT menus, toolbars, shortcut, and command-line should be available for download tomorrow from the Lily Pond area for those of you who would like to check it out. We've encountered additional technical difficulties in trying to upload it.

Please note that the version you download will be our stand-alone version which was created for the sole purpose of proving the concept and whether it will be embraced by the user community before we actually commit the resources ($$$) to create the add-in that will work inside AutoCAD.

[gmyroup]

The pre-alpha version of the CAD interface can be downloaded using the following link:

http://download.yousendit.com/17D19078609D73CD

If the file does not download to your PC as setup.exe simply append .exe to the filename.

We highly recommend that you read through the Instructions (located along the left hand side of the screen) before attempting to use this software. Some, but not all of the instructions have video clips associated with them. To view them simply click the Show Me button located near the bottom of the screen.

This interface is unlike any CAD interface you've ever used,  thus the need to read how it works before actually trying to use it.  It is not intended for the part-time casual user. Like all new software programs it will take time to learn so don't be discouraged if you don't get it right away.  The increase in productivity you will experience will far surpass the time you spend learning it.

This interface will not be everyone’s ‘Cup of Tea’.  At this point we are looking for ‘early adopters’ who can see the benefit of not needing to use menus, toolbars, and the command line to perform AutoCAD’s more common commands.

NOTE 1: The instructions are presented in a Step by Step format allowing you to do what they instruct you to do as you read through them.  If the instructions are unclear to you… please view the associated video clip.

NOTE 2: This application requires a mouse with scroll button. Additionally, you may need to adjust your mouse's double-click rate.

NOTE 3: Since this is the pre-alpha version of the software… there are going to be bugs.  Should one occur while you are working… note that the system WILL NOT notify you when they occur.  Instead, you will be presented with an e-mail containing specifics about the bug(s) when you exit the program.  Please take the time to send the Bug Report on to us.

NOTE 4: This CAD interface is built on a patent pending technology called 'Task Interaction Pattern Recognition'. In order for it to function correctly it must learn about your mouse interaction techniques. You will need to complete a interaction test before you can use the software.

Enjoy….

[gmyroup]

The pre-alpha version of the CAD software can be downloaded using the following link:

http://www.yousendit.com/download/T2dkOGNTSWU3bUEwTVE9PQ 


If the file does not download to your PC as setup.exe simply append .exe to the filename.

We highly recommend that you read through the Instructions (located along the left hand side of the screen) before attempting to use this software. Some, but not all of the instructions have video clips associated with them. To view them simply click the Show Me button located near the bottom of the screen.

The interface is unlike any CAD software you've ever used,  thus the need to read how it works before actually trying to use it.  It is not intended for the part-time casual user. Like all new software programs it will take time to learn so don't be discouraged if you don't get it right away.  The increase in productivity you will experience will far surpass the time you spend learning it.

This interface will not be everyone’s ‘Cup of Tea’.  At this point we are looking for ‘early adopters’ who can see the benefit of not needing to use menus, toolbars, and the command line to perform AutoCAD’s more common commands.

NOTE 1: The instructions are presented in a Step by Step format allowing you to do what they instruct you to do as you read through them.  If the instructions are unclear to you… please view the associated video clip.

NOTE 2: This application requires a mouse with scroll button. Additionally, you may need to adjust your mouse's double-click rate.

NOTE 3: Since this is the pre-alpha version of the software… there are going to be bugs.  Should one occur while you are working… note that the system WILL NOT notify you when they occur.  Instead, you will be presented with an e-mail containing specifics about the bug(s) when you exit the program.  Please take the time to send the Bug Report on to us.

NOTE 4: This CAD interface is built on a patent pending technology called 'Task Interaction Pattern Recognition'. In order for it to function correctly it must learn about your mouse interaction techniques. You will need to complete a interaction test before you can use the software.

Enjoy….
 

[gmyroup]

If you downloaded the software and experienced an issue with the Interaction Test feature... please download the file again using the updated link below:

http://www.yousendit.com/download/T2dlak8rK3hOQncwTVE9PQ

[Mark]

NOTE 3: Since this is the pre-alpha version of the software… there are going to be bugs.  Should one occur while you are working… note that the system WILL NOT notify you when they occur.  Instead, you will be presented with an e-mail containing specifics about the bug(s) when you exit the program.  Please take the time to send the Bug Report on to us.

Can you explain this a little more? How am I "presented" with an e-mail, does the program gather e-mail address information during installation?

[gmyroup]

NOTE 3: Since this is the pre-alpha version of the software… there are going to be bugs.  Should one occur while you are working… note that the system WILL NOT notify you when they occur.  Instead, you will be presented with an e-mail containing specifics about the bug(s) when you exit the program.  Please take the time to send the Bug Report on to us.

Can you explain this a little more? How am I "presented" with an e-mail, does the program gather e-mail address information during installation?

What happens is this.  If the program encounters error while you are working it writes the error to a local database table. When you exit the program it checks if there are any 'un-reported errors'.  If there are... the application will attempt to use your default e-mail client... create a message... display the message... and wait for you to send it on.

The message we receive from you would contain info about the error and nothing else.  The application DOES NOT gather system or application data from your PC.

[gmyroup]

To those interested in learning more about the interface before downloading it... I will be posting a link to a short demostration video clip on Monday morning.

[gmyroup]

To those interested in learning more about the interface before downloading it... I will be post a link to a short demostration video clip on Monday morning.

[quamper]

I'm playing with the Demo.. it's pretty interesting so far from what I can tell. I'll post more thoughts once I get the hang of it a bit more

[Crank]

For what version of Autocad is this?

[ronjonp]

For what version of Autocad is this?

It is stand-alone.

[gmyroup]

Hi folks.... I just wanted to explain the 'stand-alone' version.

This version... the pre-alpha version was actually created for 2 reasons.

The first was to prove CAD without menus, toolbars, etc. could be done... and work.  After 3 years of development and testing, we've proved the idea is truly viable and does work. 

The second reason was to determine user acceptance of the concept and that is where we are now.  The interface (or lack of) is unlike anything else in the market.  While the interface works well... and is fast... and productive.. and maybe most importantly.. actually fun to use,  some new ideas are just TOO different for the general user community... even though they actually greatly improve productivity.

If we find that there is enough acceptance from the user community... we will then dedicate the resources ($$$) necessary to port it over to AutoCAD... as an add-in that'll work within AutoCAD itself and hopefully other CAD and drawing applications as well. 

[gmyroup]

Hello...

Here are a few videos showing the CAD interface in use.  I will be posting additional videos throughout the day.

The videos are avi files.  We recommend that you view them with the Camtasia Video viewer. It can be downloaded using the following link:

    http://www.yousendit.com/download/T2dmNnFKbWdtNEkwTVE9PQ     (approx 283k)

45 sec. video of a multi-pane window being drawn:   http://www.yousendit.com/download/T2dmNnFBdWNEbUkwTVE9PQ

7 min video of a structural steel stair detail:   http://www.yousendit.com/download/T2dmNnFITWNCMTQwTVE9PQ

Small mechanical component....  http://download.yousendit.com/D9B3FAE86BD57E62

How we draw arcs:   http://download.yousendit.com/60040FC542E768E5

...and circles:   http://download.yousendit.com/86EEBF6E4688E69D



... more to come

[gmyroup]

Hello...

Here are a few videos showing the CAD interface in use.  I will be posting additional videos throughout the day.

The videos are avi files.  We recommend that you view them with the Camtasia Video viewer. It can be downloaded using the following link:

    http://www.yousendit.com/download/T2dmNnFKbWdtNEkwTVE9PQ     (approx 283k)

45 sec. video of a multi-pane window being drawn:   http://www.yousendit.com/download/T2dmNnFBdWNEbUkwTVE9PQ

7 min video of a structural steel stair detail:   http://www.yousendit.com/download/T2dmNnFITWNCMTQwTVE9PQ

Small mechanical component....  http://download.yousendit.com/D9B3FAE86BD57E62

How we draw arcs:   http://download.yousendit.com/60040FC542E768E5

...and circles:   http://download.yousendit.com/86EEBF6E4688E69D



... more to come

[TR]

Perhaps you might consider posting them to youtube instead of downloadable avi files.