Alibre has apparently copied the workflow of SolidWorks, at least based on my limited knowledge of it.

I consider this way of working to be similar to HP's "reverse polish notation" for their calculators.  For this reason, I use TI calculators.  My brain just doesn't work that way.  Likewise, I find the workflow in Solid Edge more to my liking.  I prefer to tell the CAD program what I want to do -- a protrusion, and it tell me what I need -- a profile created on a plane or planar surface.

SW and Alibre both have you create the sketch first, and then tell the software what you want to do with that sketch, only to find out you didn't create the sketch correctly to be used in that feature, or you actually need two or 3 sketches drawn first, and then select what feature you want to create using these.  I realize that training and experience will reduce my annoyance with this workflow, but I can't rewire my brain.

Are there any enhancement requests out there to make the user interface more friendly to various workflows?
For example:
  Fewer dialogue boxes.
  Choose to either create the sketch first or create the protrusion first.  If you create the protrusion from inside the sketch command, it automatically uses that sketch.  If you choose protrusion first, you can select an existing sketch or be prompted to select a plane to sketch on.
  To create the initial sketch, if a plane is selected, draw on that plane, otherwise prompt the user to select one.  Don't have a default plane and don't error out if a plane is not selected.

Any other opinions on this.  Is a revamp of the user interface to allow both workflow concepts even feasible?

--Scott

For some pleasure reading, try FAQ731-376