In this article we will look into UX design patterns across different CAD softwares with respect to Messaging display location.
The importance of message location in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) applications lies in its impact on user experience, productivity, and effective communication of information. Message location plays a crucial role in optimising user experience, supporting efficient workflows, facilitating communication, and enhancing overall usability in CAD applications.
Here are key reasons why message location is crucial in CAD softwares:
- Placing messages in prominent locations ensures they are easily visible and accessible to users and do not go unnoticed.
- Well-placed messages can enhance workflow efficiency by providing timely feedback, instructions, or alerts without disrupting the user’s flow.
- Efficient message location helps optimise screen space utilisation thereby avoid cluttering the main graphics area and maintain a clean and organised interface.
- Messages placed in interactive elements like dialogue box, encourage users to explore and engage with the interface, leading to a more immersive and engaging user experience.
- Messages in strategic locations can provide valuable feedback and guidance to users, helping them understand system status, errors, or recommended actions.
- Consistent message location across different parts of the CAD interface promotes familiarity and ease of use for users. They can quickly learn where to find important information or notifications.
For most of the CAD Softwares discussed here, the placement of various components are as followed:
- Quick Action Toolbar — Placed at the Top of the screen.
- Ribbon — Placed at the top and across the screen
- Tree — at the Right side of the screen
- View Cube and View tool bar — at top left side of the screen
- Dialogue box or Properties Panel — kept close to the tree and just below the Ribbon bar, on the Graphics area where it is easy to locate by the user
Autodesk Inventor
6. Messages: All error messages appear in a dialogue and at Top Left corner
OnShape
6. Messages:
- Doesn’t provide too many messages on screen
- On hover a tree item error message appears and Filter option for errors
- Real time validation — error on input field
- Informative message at the Top Center
Siemens — Solid Edge
6. Messages: Error message appears close to the cursor
Siemens — NX
5. Dialogue box or Properties Panel — appears on top of the Tree on the Right side of the screen
6. Messages:
- Progress message — bottom close to Tree
- Notification message -close to Tree
- Real time validation or edit feature, message appears at the bottom right
- Messages with CTA appears at the center of the screen
Autodesk Fusion 360
5. Dialogue box or Properties Panel — appears at the left side of the page below the View cube
6. Messages — Error message right bottom
Dassault Systeme — Catia
2. Ribbon — Placed at the bottom of the screen
4. View Cube and View tool bar — View cube at the bottom right corner and view tools close to view cube
6. Messages:
- Real time validation or edit feature, message appears at the bottom right
- Messages with CTA appears at the center of the screen
Dassault Systeme — Solidworks
4. View Cube and View tool bar — View cube at the bottom left corner and the View Tool bars at the top below the Ribbon bar
6. Messages:
- Messages in What’s wrong window
- On hover/click in the tree item
- On hovering/clicking the breadcrumb
Creo
4. View Cube and View tool bar — no view cube
5. Dialogue box or Properties Panel — appears on top of the Tree on the Right side of the screen
6. Messages:
- Messages at the center in dialogue box
- Some messages at the bottom left
- Notifications are similar to Error manager
With respect to messaging it is seen these softwares have utilised multiple locations but most important ones which require a call-to-action are placed at the center of the screen for the users to follow the instructions. While for other messages — it is important to place the error messages closer to the area where it belongs to.
