Abstract: A W-graph system comprising a server connected with a plurality of clients via a network. Each client/user performs a design task via a design application while the server collects timestamped event data. The server generates a plurality of W-graphs for a plurality of tasks based on the collected event data. Each W-graph comprises one or more representative workflows, each representative workflow comprising at least one merged node representing nodes from different workflows for different users performing the same task. A W-graph for a task selected by the user may be viewed in a W-graph GUI. A user may also select a W-suggest function to have a current workflow for a task analyzed for optimization based on a W-graph generated for the same task. A modified current workflow is generated that highlights user techniques in the current workflow that are less efficient than user techniques in the W-graph.

Abstract: A W-graph system comprising a server connected with a plurality of clients via a network. Each client/user performs a design task via a design application while the server collects timestamped event data. The server generates a plurality of W-graphs for a plurality of tasks based on the collected event data. Each W-graph comprises one or more representative workflows, each representative workflow comprising at least one merged node representing nodes from different workflows for different users performing the same task. A W-graph for a task selected by the user may be viewed in a W-graph GUI. A user may also select a W-suggest function to have a current workflow for a task analyzed for optimization based on a W-graph generated for the same task. A modified current workflow is generated that highlights user techniques in the current workflow that are less efficient than user techniques in the W-graph.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a generative design application iteratively generates designs via a generative design process. In operation, the generative design application performs one or more layout operations on virtual objects based on a first set of design constraints to generate a first design. The generative design application then modifies the first set of design constraints based on feedback associated with a mid-air representation of the first design displayed in a virtual reality environment to generate a second set of design constraints. Subsequently, the generative design application performs one or more layout operations on the virtual objects based on the second set of design constraints to generate a second design that achieves design goal(s). Advantageously, enabling a designer to incrementally indicate design goal(s) as constraints via a virtual reality environment instead of as a predetermined objective function reduces both the time and effort required to generate designs.

Abstract: A command map GUI that illustrates command usage patterns of a first entity and/or a comparison between the first entity and a second entity. A server receives and stores command usage data from a plurality of clients, each client executing a software application that enables a set of commands. A client displays the GUI based on command usage data received from the server. The GUI displays a circle chart comprising a plurality of segments representing various command categories, each segment including a wedge that represents the amount of usage of the corresponding command category. The GUI also displays a plurality of data points, each data point representing a command, wherein the distance from the center of the circle chart represents the amount of usage of the corresponding command. The GUI may display a certification and/or an unused command recommended for a user based on command usage patterns of the user.

Abstract: A command map GUI that illustrates command usage patterns of a first entity and/or a comparison between the first entity and a second entity. A server receives and stores command usage data from a plurality of clients, each client executing a software application that enables a set of commands. A client displays the GUI based on command usage data received from the server. The GUI displays a circle chart comprising a plurality of segments representing various command categories, each segment including a wedge that represents the amount of usage of the corresponding command category. The GUI also displays a plurality of data points, each data point representing a command, wherein the distance from the center of the circle chart represents the amount of usage of the corresponding command. The GUI may display a certification and/or an unused command recommended for a user based on command usage patterns of the user.

Abstract: A tutorial system presents a tutorial comprising a series of steps for building a computing system and testing successful completion of at least one of the steps. The computing system comprises a programmable controller and at least one hardware component. The tutorial system is coupled to the target computing system via a connection. The tutorial system may present one or more programming steps for the user to enter and load particular programming to the controller. The tutorial system may further present one or more physical steps for the user to physically configure a particular hardware component, such as physically configuring connections or wiring between the particular hardware component and the controller and/or another hardware component of the computing system. The tutorial system directly tests successful completion of a physical step or a programming step through values received from the computing system via the connection.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a task-based recommendation subsystem automatically recommends workflows for software-based tasks based on a trained machine-learning model that maps different sets of commands to different distributions of weights applied to a set of tasks. In operation, the task-based recommendation subsystem applies a first set of commands associated with a target user to the trained machine-learning model to determine a target distribution of weights applied to the set of tasks. The task-based recommendation subsystem then performs processing operation(s) based on at least two different distributions of weights applied to the set of tasks and the target distribution to determine a training item. Subsequently, the task-based recommendation subsystem generates a recommendation that specifies the training item. Finally, the task-based recommendation subsystem transmits the recommendation to a user to assist the user in performing a particular task.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a pattern-based recommendation subsystem automatically recommends workflows for software-based tasks. In operation, the pattern-based recommendation subsystem computes an expected distribution of frequencies across command patterns based on different distributions of frequencies across the command patterns. The expected distribution of frequencies is associated with a target user, and each different distribution of frequencies is associated with a different user. The pattern-based recommendation subsystem then applies a set of commands associated with the target user to a trained machine-learning model to determine a target distribution of weights applied to a set of tasks. Subsequently, the pattern-based recommendation subsystem determines a training item based on the expected distribution of frequencies and the target distribution of weights. The pattern-based recommendation subsystem generates a recommendation that specifies the training item.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present application sets forth a computer-implemented method for remotely monitoring performance of a task in real time, comprising receiving, in real time from a first student computing device, first student data that includes a first set of actions performed in a first student application instance executing on the first student device, comparing a first student action included in the first set of actions to a first target action, in response to comparing the first student action to the first target action, identifying a first issue indicator associated with the first student action, determining a first remedy associated with at least one of the first target action and the first issue indicator, and performing a first remediation action associated with the first remedy.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for facilitating the learning of a new software application. The technique includes causing a first user interface to be displayed on a display, wherein the first user interface is based on a user interface associated with a first software application; receiving a user input via the first user interface from a user; determining a first function associated with a second software application that should be provided to the user based on the user input; and causing the first user interface and a portion of a second user interface associated with the second application and incorporated into the first user interface to be displayed on the display, wherein the portion of the second user interface provides the first function to the user to enable the user to perform one or more subsequent operations relative to the first function.

Abstract: Techniques for gradually transitioning a user to a second navigation scheme while using a first navigation scheme in a 3D design application that generates and displays a 3D virtual environment. The design application initially implements the first navigation scheme and a set of function tools of the standard navigation scheme. The design application monitors for a set of patterns of navigation actions during use of the first-person navigation scheme, each pattern being performed more efficiently when using the standard navigation scheme. Upon detecting a pattern using the first-person navigation scheme, the design application may switch to the standard navigation scheme. Also, upon detecting selection of a function tool, the design application may switch to the standard navigation scheme during use of the function tool. When the function tool is closed, the design application may switch back to the first-person navigation scheme.

Abstract: Techniques for gradually transitioning a user to a second navigation scheme while using a first navigation scheme in a 3D design application that generates and displays a 3D virtual environment. The design application initially implements the first navigation scheme and a set of function tools of the standard navigation scheme. The design application monitors for a set of patterns of navigation actions during use of the first-person navigation scheme, each pattern being performed more efficiently when using the standard navigation scheme. Upon detecting a pattern using the first-person navigation scheme, the design application may switch to the standard navigation scheme. Also, upon detecting selection of a function tool, the design application may switch to the standard navigation scheme during use of the function tool. When the function tool is closed, the design application may switch back to the first-person navigation scheme.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include a method, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and a system for generating video clips for teaching how to apply a tools in various application programs for editing documents. The method includes identifying one or more characteristic features of a video clip. The method also includes providing the one or more characteristic features to a trained machine learning analysis module. The method further includes evaluating the characteristic features to generate a clip rating. The method also includes determining whether to discard the video clip based on the clip rating.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for presenting an online tutorial. A method for presenting an online tutorial may generally include providing an interactive tutorial to a user. The interactive tutorial may include both tutorial content specifying steps to perform a task with an application and an application interface associated with the application used to perform the task. This method may also include recording the user interacting with the application interface to perform the task according to the steps specified by the interactive tutorial and augmenting the tutorial content with the recorded user interaction.