The lateral nodal loads aren't used until RAM Frame, so why should I have to go through RAM Steel Beam and Column checks every time I change one? These should be able to be applied and modified in the RAM Frame module. This would also help deleting useless nodal loads easier if it can be done in 3D.
It is very logical to do it the way your described. There are several other things to enhance with nodal loads as well, like using a vector other than global axis. It's a fairly big project, given the legacy of having the nodal loads in Modeler, with competing priorities.