quality of "HELP" function Poor manuals

[geoff 0]

I have had an Ultimaker 3 from when they where released great bit of kit, BUT the supporting instructions on how to use functions in the software I find very poor. by example You have a function 'support blocker' selectable from the main screen. So how do I find how to make use of it?

 

Logic says type 'Support Blocker' in the HELP search window the answer comeback with "NO RESULTS FOUND" so I try the manual for Software No Results Found, well this is what lets a great product down.   

 

Ultimaker, if you want to see how it should be done take a look at ONSHAPE CAD and look at the tutorials on every function let alone when you select a function if you hover on it it will give the basic intro on how to use the function.  

 

You talk about widening audience and making the technology more accessible, you achieve this by brilliant supporting documentation and DIY online search tools and tutorials so someone needs to make the decision to make the time TO IMPROVE the poor support information , then and only then do you have an outstanding product.

 

Iso I still do not know where to find or how to use the SUPPORT BLOCKER!!!!!!!!

Edited October 17, 2019 by geoff

[Smithy 1,144]

It is easy to use the support blocker function.

You select your model where you want to block the support.

Click on the support blocker icon in the left menu or press E

Then click somewhere on your model where you want to place the support blocker cube.

The cube acts like a model, so you can move or scale it to fit your needs. 

And the area which is covered by the cube will not have any support after slicing.

[Crystalvalen 3]

@Smithy, your reply is correct and I think fairly comprehensive in regards to the Support Blocker function in Cura, but I think the OP speaks to a real problem: for something this simple and straightforward, there should never be any reason for a user to have to resort to forums to figure it out.

 

In my experience, Ultimaker documentation has been decent, but there is always room for improvement. If there are ways we can make the user experience of the Cura software better or more intuitive—especially for tools that are front and center and will likely be explored by any curious user—we should definitely strive for that. Settings hidden in the preferences pane need it a little less so, but there is nothing which could not be benefitted by adequate documentation; things that are obvious to experienced 3D printers are not always so for the beginner.