Firstly, I want to express that I’m genuinely trying to approach this update with an open mind, but several issues are making it difficult to fully embrace Adobe Dimensions v4. Some of these problems have persisted from previous versions, while others are entirely new. Below, I’ve outlined the key issues I’ve encountered. I’d appreciate hearing if others have faced similar challenges or if there are known solutions. My main concern with Dimension at the moment is its reliability. I often find myself questioning whether I’ve accidentally moved something or how the final render will turn out. While I can eventually adjust to the new camera system and figure out the rendering quirks, the small inconsistencies that disrupt my workflow and slow me down are harder to overlook.
Issue: 3D Gizmo Functionality
In Adobe Dimensions v4, the 3D gizmo includes colored arrows for each axis, squares for scaling and circles for for rotation. While the dragging functionality works, clicking on these elements does not trigger the expected input windows. Previously, in version 3, users could for example click on an axis arrow and open a window for precise input of movement or rotation values, including negative values. This feature is no longer functional in v4, leading to unintended micro-drags that move the object without user intent. Restoring the ability to open input windows by clicking on these gizmo elements would greatly enhance precision and usability.
Issue: Unintended Object Movement Due to Micro-Drag Detection
In Adobe Dimensions v4, selecting an object sometimes results in unintended micro-drags, causing the object to move unintentionally. This significantly impacts workflow speed, as users must work slowly and carefully to avoid accidental movements. The problem is further exacerbated by the issue that clicking on the 3D gizmo arrows or rotation squares does not open the input window for precise movement or rotation values. Instead, these clicks are often detected as dragging, leading to unintentional movement or rotation. Implementing a solution to differentiate between a click and a micro-drag more effectively, and restoring the functionality of the input windows, would greatly enhance user efficiency and accuracy.
Issue: Unintended Dragging When Editing Value Fields
In Adobe Dimensions v4, clicking on editable value fields to adjust settings often results in unintended drag motions instead of allowing for precise value entry. This issue mirrors the problem experienced with the 3D gizmo and object selection, where clicks are sometimes detected as drags. Additionally, the drag motion can become stuck, causing unintentional changes to values and disrupting scene composition. Users are forced to click away to stop the dragging action and reselect the value field to input the desired number. This inconsistency significantly impacts workflow efficiency and accuracy. Improving the distinction between click and drag actions in editable value fields would greatly enhance user experience.
Issue: Materials Library Organization
With the significant update to materials in Adobe Dimensions v4, the number of material groups and variations within each group has greatly increased. Previously, there were only two groups of materials, but now there are numerous groups, each containing many different variations. This results in a lengthy list that users must scroll through, without any option to collapse or expand all groups simultaneously. Implementing a feature to collapse or expand all material groups at the top of the materials tool window would greatly improve navigation and usability.
Issue: Similar Materials Organization
In Adobe Dimensions v4, the materials library includes many similar materials that do not justify having separate clickable entries. Materials that are very similar in nature should be grouped with a sub-selection feature, allowing users to choose different color presets or slight texture variations within a single entry. This would significantly shorten the materials list and enhance usability. Additionally, the sub-selection menu should be accessible both during material selection and after a material has been applied to an object, allowing for easy adjustments and changes to the sub-choices.
Issue: Missing Transform, Object, and Material Properties
Occasionally, when selecting an object in Adobe Dimensions v4, the transform, object, and material properties fields are missing, resulting in a blank area with no fillable fields or options. This issue disrupts the workflow and makes it difficult to adjust object properties efficiently. Ensuring that these properties consistently appear when an object is selected would greatly improve usability and productivity. Restarting the program fixes this issue, but it still happens ocasionally.
Issue: Inconsistent Application of Transform Values
In both Adobe Dimensions v3 and v4, there is an issue where certain transform values do not apply correctly to an object, even though the fields display the updated values. For example, after changing the size and entering the correct dimensions, pressing tab to move tho the next transform field, the previous transform field shows the intended value, but the object itself does not reflect these changes. Upon deselecting and reselecting the object, the size value reverts to the previous dimensions, indicating that the field did not registered the input and failed to apply it. This problem persists despite verifying that the correct input method was used and affects workflow consistency and accuracy.
Issue: Inconsistent Compatibility with Version 3 Files
When opening Adobe Dimensions v3 files in v4, the results are inconsistent and unpredictable. Sometimes additional camera angles appear, materials may not display correctly, objects can be displaced in random directions, or all of these issues occur simultaneously. This unpredictability makes it difficult to transition projects from v3 to v4. More work is needed to ensure compatibility with older files, so users can confidently migrate their projects without encountering these issues.
Issue: Group Locking Ineffectiveness
In Adobe Dimensions v4, locking a group does not prevent individual objects within that group from being moved or having their properties changed. This undermines the purpose of locking a group, as users expect that all objects within a locked group would be protected from accidental adjustments. Ensuring that locking a group effectively prevents any modifications to the objects within it would significantly enhance control and reduce the risk of unintended changes.
These are the biggest issues for me personally. I would like to hear from the community about their experience.
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