Project Overview
This UX project focuses on improving the user experience (UX) for working with simulation connectors within a 3D software program. These connectors, including hinges, Cardan joints, sliders, ball and socket joints, and wheel suspensions, are crucial components for creating realistic simulations of mechanical assemblies.
Problem, Assumption, UX Solution
Current State raised issued
limited experience : the user can't connect multiple objects at once which limit the experience and use cases.
UX Goals
Increase User Efficiency: Reduce the time and effort required to define and manipulate simulation connectors.
Improve User Understanding: Enhance user comprehension of connector properties and their impact on simulations.
Minimize Errors: Reduce errors caused by user confusion or complexity.
Promote User Satisfaction: Create a more intuitive and enjoyable experience for working with simulation connectors.
Information Architect Problems
The current solution focuses on improving the user experience for working with simulation connectors in C4D. A crucial aspect to reconsider is the information architecture behind these connectors.
Feature-Based Organization: Traditionally, connectors might be organized by their functionality (hinge, slider, etc.). This can be overwhelming for users who might not be familiar with the specific terminology.
Limited Context: Information might be presented in isolation, making it difficult for users to understand the purpose and impact of different connector properties.
Limited Visibility: The user selects the connector feature without the ability to choose a specific connector, and after proposing a Fixed connector by default the user can change it.
Proposed IA Strategies:
Task-Based Organization: Reorganize connector information based on user tasks. This involves grouping connectors by the actions users want to achieve (e.g., "restrict movement in one direction," "create a rotating joint").
Progressive Disclosure: Present information in layers. Basic controls and settings can be readily accessible, while advanced options can be revealed through progressive disclosure techniques like collapsible menus.
Benefits of a Task-Based IA:
Reduced Cognitive Load: Users don't need to memorize technical terms. They can focus on the task they want to achieve and select the appropriate connector based on its functionality.
Improved Discoverability: Connectors become easier to find by grouping them based on user goals.
Enhanced Context: Information about connector properties can be presented about their impact on the task. This allows users to understand the "why" behind specific settings.
Information UI
Menu Architect
Adding a mental defining step to shortlist the workflow from the beginning, making the user understand the connector's groups better and take accurate decision for minimum clicks for the journey.
UX Concept & AM redesign
how to achieve a train cars, every car connected to each other with a Hinge and each car have four wheels with suspensions !
Current workflow will use 4x5 wheel suspensions and 4 Hinges. I aim for 1 hinge and 5 wheel suspensions.
Attribute manager UX Concept implementation
Enable the user to connect a scalable unlimited amount of objects to a sequence of connectors, looping and choosing anchor start and anchor point, expanding the usability of the feature and reaching the minimum clicks to complete a set of connectors
Yellow: presenting the base, the stable part that can be connected to the object or to be connected to its position.
Blue: presenting the dynamic object
Both can be moving and connected to a sequence of object
Testing
Bugs Life
Conclusion
By shifting the information architecture of simulation connectors towards a task-based approach, C4D can significantly improve the discoverability, understanding, and efficiency of working with simulation connectors. Users will be able to focus on achieving their desired results rather than navigating technical details.