after some time and effort.. now almost 7 wks since i posted my initial comment. i must say that the menus are still a pain. I am trying to find a door that meets to my senior designers specs (ie looks the same as his sketch). well since this firm is a "subscriber" we have every library back to 5 or so.. each one is just a hair different.. i play with the parameters but nothing matches. every one i try has at least one parameter missing that I need. the main problem is that it is still this stupid interface. for example: sometimes two places where materials are found in addition to the 3D drop down, what is up with that? and the separate box for plan and section, in ADDITION to the 2d presentation box in parameters. and because every library is a hair different, therefore the parameters and drop down menus can be different also. GOSH. i just love how ADOBE does a great job on their updates, not messing with the classic feel of the program only adding new features.
however. i liked that feature in library 8 where you had a picture of the door, handle, etc but that now seems to have disappeared in favor of the old method of a drop down with styles 1-8 (and is some cases up to 20 or more). little things like that hamper productivity as well as nativegating through the new improved interface.
the main problem is things are so scattered around it takes afew extra moments to locate. or at least in my version i have set up, the new library has something like 5 folders to click through to get to the objects. this may or may not be something that is avoidable but i have tons of stuff to do and spending an afternoon to configure my interface like that guy below is not something i want to do. i have work and a family and at the end of the day i am at home not a the office trying to fix things GS should have taken care of before shipping. here is a bit of interesting info-i believe the technical drawers here at my firm are still using 9, even though we had the "big update course" a few months ago and they know ALOT more about archicad than I do.
and some of you may have adapted easier than me, it certainly isnt because of lack of whatever you might think.. i am able to use all sorts of programs like AUTOCAD from R14 to now, 3Dviz, maya, as well as modular audio programs like MAXmsp, LogicAUDIO, Reaktor, and pureDATA. some of which the learning curve is VERY high. so in my opinion , this is more a matter of gs releasing new versions quicker to get more money, before the version is fully 100% ready for the public. it is like they have a bunch of sucker beta testers shelling out big money (as I am not the one who pays the bills here, I dont have much of an idea as to the cost of archicad only that it used to be in the ball park of a few thousand euros and mulitply that by how many licenses) for an inferior product and something people used to get for free (as beta testers). GIVE a BIG hurrah for capitalism!