#Animator Studio Guide?
19 messages in this thread
Animator Studio Booklovers!
Animator Studio has been the experimental product for Autodesk this year. We
thought we'd try online docs, so we could include animations and sounds with
the help system. We had to choose between doing a great help system online or
paper docs, if we wanted to ship in my lifetime. It turns out quite a few of
you are complaining that there is no book.
Please let us know how you like the online system and also put your vote in if
you think there should be a book as well. This will help us decide what to do
with the next release.
–marK (the product manager)
Mark –
As a brand new user of Animator Studio and just getting immersed in all the
jargon, etc. a written manual would be invaluable. It can go with me on long
car rides, sitting in the sun, or reading in bed. It's kind of hard to hold the
monitor over your head while you are reading in bed. <G> And that extension
cord for the car ride….
I learn by following the tutorials, reading the manual, doing the example again
and then reading the manual – and usually only then does it make sense. Not all
of our users work in an environment where they can learn from others around
them.
So count one vote for a manual.
Anne
>> Please let us know how you like the online system and also put your vote in
if you think there should be a book as well. This will help us decide what to
do with the next release. <<
my vote for hardcopy manuals. besides, i got all these highlighters around here
for nothing otherwise. <g> biggest reason actually, my wife doesn't let me take
the laptop when we go camping. -dave
I don't know if my unbiased vote counts. But since you asked for a vote, I'm
afraid you'll have to cut down another tree for me and put out the hardcopy.
– Jack
That's The Spirit! Jack!….Let's Get Out Them
ChainSaws…Vroom…BZZZZZ…Vrooom!
<GR&D>
Murph'
MarkG,
Yet another vote: Include bound documentation. Myself and most software
users aren't ready for the paperless society yet…
– Dave
BTW… Thanks for the suggestion on time based filter painting.
Mark,
I vote for hard-copy manuals. Makes great bedtime stories for my wife <g>.
Mark,
Hardcopy manuals, please.
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Manuals 5, Trees 0
Batter up!
Manuals 6, trees 0!
I like to highlight also and read in the easychair away from the computer.
JIm H.
Mark
Before I forget, put me down for manuals, too.
TedB
-Ted Boardman
!^NavFont01F0006MGHHGv6966
What if someone came out with a slick, interactive CDROM that contained screen
movies of all the important functions – with really valuable examples?
"Book vote" <BG>
Murph'
One vote for online help.
AND a book! I don't think a product should have LESS online help just because
there's a book. I'm willing to have overlapping info but would prefer not
having the online help be a straight dump of the manual. I like the idea that
concepts could be illustrated with little animations, like transistions, etc.
I think Microsoft did a pretty good job balancing Word's online help with
manual.
One more vote for printed manuals.
One problem I have with online help is that while I find it quite usefull for
quick reference reminders once I'm up to speed in a program, it's awkward when
I'm trying to systematically learn a new program, as AS is for me (I never
bought AniPro). Monitor real estate is eaten up by help programs. With a book,
it can be open on my lap while the entire program I'm learning is on my screen.
I know I could Alt-Tab, but isn't it easier to just look down <g>?
Bruce Meikle
WZMH Architects
"One problem I have with online help is that while I find it quite usefull for
quick reference reminders once I'm up to speed in a program, it's awkward when
I'm trying to systematically learn a new program, as AS is for me (I never
bought AniPro). Monitor real estate is eaten up by help programs. With a book,
it can be open on my lap while the entire program I'm learning is on my screen.
I know I could Alt-Tab, but isn't it easier to just look down <g>?"
I agree. Also, the printed page is easier for me to deal with.
I see I'm a little late but what the heck!
yes to a manual. There is no substitute. Books are great for dozens of
reasons!
yes to a tutorial manual. Structured lessons teach the basics and build a
foundation for continued learning.
yes to any additional material on paper or on-line that makes the product
faster to learn and easier to use.
manuals can be fun and exciting! manuals can make you proud!
manuals can have glossy pictures and inspiring diagrams.
manuals make you feel like you own something, even when the power goes out.
yes to on-line help. On line help is great for troubleshooting as you work.
The more integrated with the interface, the better.
yes to a cool CD ROM with art, video clips, sounds, example art and animation,
tips, tutorials, etc. like the world creating toolkit in 3D Studio.
Adios, Jon Bock
"manuals make you feel like you own something, even when the power
goes out."
Okay! <laughter> You have my vote! Thanks for your comments. Mark
Gerhard is the Product Manager for AAStudio – why not send him a
private email with your name/address so he can send you a copy (free,
not $20) of the printed on-line help docs. Mark's ID: 71732,3306.
Also, make sure you're registered.