Implicit Mental Model for QCAD User Interface

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jhg
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Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:12 pm

Implicit Mental Model for QCAD User Interface

Post by jhg » Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:30 pm

Just starting out with QCAD, no CAD experience, but over 30 years as a developer (C, C++, Java).

It seems CAD programs have a user-interface mental model that differs wildly from what a non-CAD user is accustomed to. A couple of examples:
  • I created a block, it shows up in the block list. Then I selected the block in the block list and clicked the "Insert Block" button and clicked in the drawing where I wanted a copy of the block to be placed. Nothing happened, and I cannot figure out what action I need to take to "commit" the action of placing the block.
  • I select "Edit Block". My drawing disappears, a pencil appears in the block list next to the selected block, but there's nothing on screen to look at or edit.
I have this experience with pretty much every interaction... it doesn't behave as an experienced user would expect. From using some dumbed-down design tools I understand that "real" CAD is extremely powerful and of necessity must deviate from the "standard" UI paradigms.

My question: Is there somewhere that succinctly explains the mental model required to work efficiently with QCAD?

I found a QCAD manual at https://www.camprox.com/download/Manual ... CAD_EN.pdf, but it is frustratingly silent on things like "Insert Block" j All it says is
  • Choose the block you want to insert from the list.
  • Click the insert button or choose 'Insert Block' from the menu.
  • Enter the rotation angle and scaling factor for the insert in the options toolbar.
  • To create an array of inserts, enter the number of columns and rows in the options toolbar andspecify the column and row spacing.
It doesn't explain how to actually commit the operation. It's like there's an unspoken assumption of a basic mental model that is foreign to the uninitiated.

Suggestions?

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Husky
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Re: Implicit Mental Model for QCAD User Interface

Post by Husky » Sat Mar 06, 2021 10:12 pm

jhg wrote:
Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:30 pm
I have this experience with pretty much every interaction... it doesn't behave as an experienced user would expect.
I guess that depends of you point of view. Me as an experienced CAD user would say QCAD behaves exactly as expected ... e_surprised
jhg wrote:
Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:30 pm
I found a QCAD manual at https://www.camprox.com/download/Manual ... CAD_EN.pdf, but it is frustratingly silent on things like "Insert Block" j
That manual was made for the QCAD version 2.1. The current QCAD version is 3.26.0. It happened a lot between this two version ...

https://www.qcad.org/en/changelog

and I don't think it makes sense to use a 18 year old manual ...

jhg wrote:
Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:30 pm
Suggestions?
I would recommend to have a look at the QCAD book. It will introduce you to CAD and to Qcad. Two birds with one stone. :wink:
Preview:
https://www.qcad.org/qcad/book/qcad_book_preview_en.pdf

Shop:
https://www.qcad.org/en/online-shop
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jhg
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Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2021 9:12 pm

Re: Implicit Mental Model for QCAD User Interface

Post by jhg » Sat Mar 06, 2021 11:41 pm

The current manual looks the same for that operation.

I'll take a look at the QCAD book.

For now, how does one commit placement of a block?

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andrew
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Re: Implicit Mental Model for QCAD User Interface

Post by andrew » Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:32 am

I suspect that there's something else wrong. Please attach your drawing and indicate which block you are trying to insert. A screenshot of the application while you are inserting the block might also be helpful.

Some shots in the dark:
- the block might be empty
- the block might be too small / large to be visible
- the scale factor might be set to 0 or something very small when inserting
- the block might contain itself (recursion)
how to actually commit the operation
Clicking the location using your left mouse button would "commit" the operation if you want to call it that.

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