This is a perfect rant in that it is so specific it loops back around to universality. I have no experience with any of the programs you mentioned - I'm only in the comments because I thought my husband, who uses SolidWorks sometimes in his day job, might find this thread entertaining - and yet I totally related to everything in your comment. I have felt all those same frustrations, just with different software; stuff that was perfectly fine getting "improved" to the point of uselessness for my situation.

You're a great writer! It takes skill to rant so well about niche stuff that anybody can relate.