The Confusing Update Window

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 81 views

The Update UI in the Addon Manager is Confusing, and Practically Unusable

The Addon Manager in FreeCAD is a crucial tool for users to manage and update their installed addons. However, the current update UI in the Addon Manager is confusing and practically unusable. This article aims to highlight the issues with the current update UI and propose a solution to improve the user experience.

When the user has selected the "Check for update when AM is launched" option, the Addon Manager scans all addons and shows the number of available updates. This number appears as a label of a button. The user can click on that same button to update all the addons at one go. However, the problem arises when the user clicks on the button, and all the addons are updated immediately.

The Confusing Update Window

The update window presents a large number of buttons, similar to a piano keyboard. This can be overwhelming for users, especially those who are not familiar with the Addon Manager. By the time the user has even a chance to figure out what the buttons do, the update is already over. This can lead to frustration and confusion among users.

To improve the user experience, the following changes are proposed:

Streamlined Workflow: The user should be presented with one set of buttons at a time, in a streamlined workflow. This will allow users to focus on one task at a time and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Delayed Update: Do not launch the update immediately until the user has made their choices. This will give users the opportunity to review and confirm their selections before proceeding with the update.

The following is the full version info of the system:

OS: Windows 11 build 26100
Architecture: x86_64
Version: 1.1.0dev.40504 (Git) Conda
Build type: Release
Branch: main
Hash: 855ad6c70904f911b2ce7114dd1a5bc24da98bd1
Python: 3.11.11
Qt: 5.15.15
Coin: 4.0.3
Vtk: 9.3.0
IfcOpenShell: 0.0.0
OCC: 7.8.1
Locale: English/United States (en_US)
Stylesheet/Theme/QtStyle: OpenDark.qss/OpenDark/Fusion
Logical/physical DPI: 96/123.928
Installed mods:
- AnimationFreeCAD 1.0.0
- Beltrami 1.1.0
- CurvedShapes 1.0.13
- Curves 0.6.59
- ExplodedAssembly
- fasteners 0.5.37
- frame 0.1.1
- FrameForge 0.1.3
- FreeCAD-Ribbon 1.8.0
- freecad.gears 1.3.0
- FreeGrid 2.2.0
- OpenTheme 2024.9.1
- parts_library
- Quetzal 1.3.3
- SearchBar 1.4.1
- sheetmetal 0.7.21
- Silk 0.1.5
- symbols_library

None

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The current update UI in the Addon Manager is confusing and practically unusable. By presenting a large number of buttons at once, the user experience is compromised. To improve the user experience, a streamlined workflow and delayed update are proposed. This will allow users to focus on one task at a time and avoid feeling overwhelmed. By following these changes, the user experience in the Addon Manager can be significantly improved.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Update UI in the Addon Manager

A: The current issue is that the update window presents a large number of buttons, similar to a piano keyboard. This can be overwhelming for users, especially those who are not familiar with the Addon Manager. By the time the user has even a chance to figure out what the buttons do, the update is already over.

A: The desired solution is to present one set of buttons at a time, in a streamlined workflow. This will allow users to focus on one task at a time and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, the update should not be launched immediately until the user has made their choices.

A: Delaying the update allows users to review and confirm their selections before proceeding with the update. This ensures that users are aware of the changes they are making and can avoid any potential issues.

A: The streamlined workflow will improve the user experience by allowing users to focus on one task at a time. This will reduce the feeling of overwhelm and make it easier for users to navigate the update window.

A: The proposed changes will improve the user experience by making the update window more intuitive and easier to use. This will reduce the likelihood of errors and make it easier for users to manage their addons.

A: The changes will make it easier for users who are not familiar with the Addon Manager to navigate the update window. The streamlined workflow and delayed update will reduce the feeling of overwhelm and make it easier for users to understand the process.

A: No, the changes will not affect the functionality of the Addon Manager. The proposed changes are designed to improve the user experience and make the update window more intuitive.

A: Users can provide feedback on the proposed changes by commenting on this article or by submitting a new issue on the project's issue tracker.

A: The next step is to implement the proposed changes and test them to ensure that they meet the desired requirements. This will involve working with the development team to make the necessary changes and testing the update window to ensure that it is working as expected.

A: The exact timeline for implementing the changes is not yet known. However, the development team is working to implement the changes as soon as possible and will provide updates on the project's issue tracker.