yes some more mundane tasks are slower that they could be.
15 brought alot of modelling improvements and 16 will do too for sure. side effects is one of those trailblazing companies actually commited to making the best possible product, unlike autodesk which is concentrated on having the best looking excell sheets.
buy houdini indie and learn it at your own pace.
for 200 bucks its an absurdly good deal and you will be supporting a great thing.