Is Production Assistant useful?

ingvarai wrote on 5/13/2009, 7:11 AM
It is basically a set of functions using the Vegas API, isn't it? I wonder how useful it is, and how log it takes to understand how to use it. I will problably never make anything that ever will be broadcasted, so the color tunings and white balance adjustments for TV and so on is not for me. But I find it tempting to have a nice tool to atuomate repetitive tasks, definitely. I find myself doing things over and over. And if it is possible to make templates for a complete project, it definitely becomes interesting.
Do you use the Production Assistant?

ingvarai

Comments

BrianStanding wrote on 5/13/2009, 10:35 AM
I've played around with Production Assistant, and so far, I am quite impressed. If you use Excalibur, Ultimate-S or some of the free workflow scripts available for Vegas, you may find it somewhat redundant. However, I think PA has a better workflow, a more elegant interface and a better focus on the critical tools needed to speed up editing, than any of the other alternatives.

In answer to your question, yes, you can set up a template for a complete project, including named tracks, standard FX, standard leaders, etc.

If you don't already have Excalibur and/or Ultimate-S, then I'd say Production Assistant is a must-have. If you already have those, you still may want to try it out, because I think PA integrates better with (at least my) editing workflow.
stevengotts wrote on 5/13/2009, 1:13 PM
Yes! Just using the trial and learning it, its still way faster than the old way I did things with my own premade templates.. It automates so much of the workflow for me, and Im still finding new uses and applications of PA. I did find getting the concept and workflow to be complicated at first. But once I got a grasp of the concept and potential, I speed through processes such as automating the generating of 3 different versions of a presentation each with their own look , graphics, time etc. and thats not including the other 95% of it potential. Thanks Vaast.
Steven
InterceptPoint wrote on 5/13/2009, 2:28 PM
I'm liking Production Assistant. All I've really done is a quick photo montage with random gradient transitions, Ken Burns zooms, one of the Cinema-look filters and some title overlays. But it was a good project for getting going with PA. I stumbled and fumbled but, with some help from VAAST, figured things out. I will certainly buy it when my 30 day trial runs out.
ingvarai wrote on 5/13/2009, 4:47 PM
I will certainly buy it when my 30 day trial runs out
Ok, so it is fully functional then, until it expires?

ingvarai
InterceptPoint wrote on 5/13/2009, 6:59 PM
Ok, so it is fully functional then, until it expires?

***

As far as I can tell it is fully functional.