Often times the users is unaware of the fact that, having the Element Info dialog open can be the cause of apparently slow responses from MicroStation.
For example:
If you have the Element Info dialog open when you select a large number of elements, or large element such as a mesh with millions of facets, you have to wait for the Element Info dialog to populate before you can do anything else (including canceling the selection process). This can take a very very very long time.
I propose the following options for the Element Info tool so it has less impact on productivity.
- Limit the amount of time Element Info is allowed to monopolize the system. After a user-definable time limit (perhaps 10 seconds) Element Info would suspend processing of the selection for Info and allow the selection to become active for other uses. If the user then decides the Element Info is needed the user can then manually initiate the processing of the selection.
- Add the option to require the user to manually initiate the processing of a selection for Info. This would allow the dialog to remain open without impacting productivity until info is desired by the user.
Since many user like to keep the Element Info dialog open and/or docked, implementing the above ideas would greatly reduce the frustration caused by having to wait for the Element Info dialog to process every new selection.