Spend a Littleon Documentation

The documentation of CAD software seems to be getting worse and worse. Two reasons for this, I think. One is that CAD software is becoming more and more complex, as well as increasingly interconnected, and that outpaces the ability to clearly document its functions.

Another reason is that CAD vendors rather that you pay to learn their software, preferably paying them. None of this on-your-own-time nonsense. We have highly-paid professionals standing by. Kind of like being bullied into buying an unwanted extended warranty: you've paid for the product; now pay us some more. Oh, and don't put away that chequebook just yet...

Or maybe, just maybe, CAD vendors haven't gotten around to fixing it, after exhausting their resources on programming and marketing. As in this example: I'm perusing the online docs for IntelliCAD v6.4 (the very latest version) and come across this documentation mired in antiquity:

PLATFORM -- Indicates on which platform IntelliCAD is running.
Type: String
Saved: Not saved
Range: Microsoft Windows 98 or Windows NT

Glory be! The old days always were the best.

Comments

[Jon Banquer]

Ralph,

I've been saying this for years! In fact, I just said it in an interview I gave to the Novedge Blog. While the questions I was asked were ok, I had to agree to not mention any specific CADCAM vendor. I was also expected to debate rationally with numerous anonymous / phony posters.

I figured for once I'd give these posters a taste or their own medicine which seemed to anger the host of the Blog who had elected to go with an unmoderated format.

I highly recommend that SolidWorks users get the SolidProfessor videos that I just spent $600 for. They are worth every penny! For those on a budget they can try the $25 myigetit SolidWorks course. I intend to try it myself as soon as I finish the SolidProfessor videos on SolidWorks. Myigetit lets you try a ton of their videos for free. Those that I viewed were excellent.

The real problem right now is that the major CAM systems need video done to cover their massive gap in documentation. I'm speaking of MasterCAM and Gibbscam.

If you would like to read my interview and what I had to say about this problem you can read it here.

http://blog.novedge.com/2007/07/an-interview-wi.html

Thank you for finally saying something about this massive problem! I've been waiting. :>)

Jon Banquer
San Diego, CA

[Mattapotamus]

QUOTE>>>>The real problem right now is that the major CAM systems need video done to cover their massive gap in documentation. I'm speaking of MasterCAM and Gibbscam.<<

What version of Mastercam are you talking about ?

The current version has a HUGE help file with MANY MANY videos available via links inside the help file.