I think the frustration is really rooted in the balance between artist and technical uses of any particular tool.
I can be 100% sure that this tool could be re-written to work more like a feature in any other package ie opaque as mud.
The transparency of the tools that SESI provide is refreshing to say the least but that transparency can come at a cost.
And when the best workaround is to learn HDK, that isn't the most practical solution, especially for a more artistically driven task.
It is and probably will continue to be a constant struggle on SESI part but i think one that will benefit both parties (you need a technical userbase as much an artist one ).
In my humble opinion of course .