It is quite apparent that we are being used as beta testers for this product. The list of bugs, instability issues and product features that just won't work even on the Autodesk newsgroup is appalling. We are in the 2nd full release after beta yet parcels are not function correctly, grading is extremely unstable and partsbuilder, the key interface for creating any structure for piping is so volatile, it is for the most part undocumented and was the subject of much debate regarding disabling the command for this release. Labels that always appear upright and the same size regardless of view scale or orientation are great except that any text NOT a label does not have this feature. There is no provision to simply lable a line without making it into a parcel segment taking care that it is part of a site that will not mess up previous labels.
Yes, a repository for templates that include drawing settings that make sense for real world drafting and styles that will produce drawings similar to what field crews, contractors and reviewing agencies are used to seeing is very necessary. Should some ambitious VBA wizzard take the risk that this program will gain acceptance, much money could be gained with such a package. Even the most simple subassemblies require many lines of VBA code. I have some label settings for street profiles that I would be willing to put in a template and add to a repository here if Mark would volunteer the space, much like the block library they are starting.
One further thing on the training you should consider . . . Dent's videos are a good source and can be kept for future reference and used for new employees. Unfortunately, I think they are still a reverse engineered project with user and data errors, along with their surprising results removed. The instructor took OUR raw data in advance of the class, found any problems and used this as a major portion of the class, showing us the initial results and the methods to fix them. It was training directed exactly toward our companies needs and procedures and left us in a position to recognize and recover from error conditions.
