Survey result: AutoCAD 2015 most loved and most hated feature

A few weeks ago, we have a survey about AutoCAD 2015 features. The question is simple: what do you like the most and what do you hate the most in AutoCAD 2015.

It’s very easy to predict the features that people hate. If you regularly visit Autodesk forum or other independent AutoCAD forum like CADtutor forum, you will know what people don’t like from AutoCAD 2015. We always complain when we don’t like it, or try to find a workaround. But we rarely compliment what we do like. We must really really like it to share it.

Thanks to your vote, now we all know what features that people love in AutoCAD 2015. For you who haven’t tried it, are you interested to give it a try?

Most hated features

Let’s start with the popular vote: the vote result for most hated features in AutoCAD 2015.

The winner is: the crosshair badges.

It’s not a surprised that crosshair badges and the grouped drafting settings are the most hated features. It’s easy to find the threads in the forums. Personally I don’t find them annoying, but I must say I’m not a big fan.

The new tab is at the 3rd place. But I think there’s a confusion about this feature. New tab is new feature in AutoCAD 2015, it’s basically a replacement for AutoCAD welcome screen. It’s different with File Tab. File tab was introduced in AutoCAD 2014.

I also set an open answer as “other”, so you can write what you don’t like if it’s not on the list. Below is what we have as other features:

1. New dark color scheme (2 votes)
2. No more classic workspace (1 vote)
3. Crashes and bugs* (2 vote)
4. More heavy/ require more computer resources* (2 votes)
5. Bing map as the only option for geolocation* (1 vote)
6. Status bar icon appearance (2 votes)

I give * mark for features that are already exist before AutoCAD 2015.

Crashes and bugs are always there. All software have bugs. And they occasionally crash. So does AutoCAD. Autodesk releases hotfixes and service packs regularly to fix them. You can download them on Autodesk knowledge website here. If you haven’t do that, I recommend you to install them now.

For the the poor performance, it’s always been a complaint since many years ago. That is why we published how you can improve computer performance and how to configure AutoCAD to consume less resources. They probably can help. I use AutoCAD since R14, and yes, it feels unnecessary getting slower for me too.

The classic workspace disappear from workspace selection. But you can make it manually. We cover it here and if you want to use CUI to create it, read about it here.

For the Bing map, I think it changed after Google change the API terms several years ago. Correct me if I’m wrong and please share to us if you know about it.

Most loved features

The winner is: the lasso selection

The most loved feature is lasso selection. It is very useful to select objects from complicated drawing. AutoCAD has many ways to select objects, like we cover here before. But lasso selection is different. It can be more convenient when we need complex window/cross window selection.

The new tab comes in 2nd position. Like I mentioned before, I have a feeling that there is a confusion between new tab and file tab. However, I could be wrong.

In the 3rd position is model space viewport control. It’s awesome that many of you use the feature. Maybe you can share how you use it? Personally I only use it when I work with 3D model.

As for the “other” features, here are what we have:

1. Dark color Scheme (2 votes)
2. Merge layer from layer manager* (1 vote)
3. Purge command for orphaned data (1 vote)
4. Printable Geolocation map (1 vote)

As for the merge layer from layer properties manager, it is actually a feature introduced in AutoCAD 2014. You can read about it in AutoCAD tips blog here.

My opinion

So what do you think? Do you have the same preference with the other readers?

From the top hated features, you can see they are changes in AutoCAD interface. The badges, the drafting settings button, ribbon galleries and so on.

AutoCAD users feel that they don’t need the constant changes in the interface. They want new or enhanced features. It’s kind of ironic that Autodesk seems to love “enhancing” the AutoCAD interface. They always change it, even just change the color or icon. It’s kind of strange that it only happens to AutoCAD. They don’t change Inventor or Revit that often.

If you want to cast your vote, you still can vote here: goo.gl/forms/Twg5ebwfxf

And after you cast your vote, you will get a link to the vote result. Save or bookmark the link if you want to see the result again later.

About Edwin Prakoso

I work as a Solution Consultant in Datech Solutions, Tech Data Indonesia. I've been using AutoCAD since R14 and Revit since Revit Building 9. I occasionally write for AUGIWorld magazine and I am also active in Autodesk discussion forum. I'm a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, an appreciation for individuals who give contributions to the Autodesk community.
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