Will the book be targeted for the new user?
Or will it be a compilation of tips/tricks that would benefit the established editor as well as the newbie?

Personally, I'd like to see it as a list of tips/tricks.

John

Defiantly would love to see a book geared towards " Tips & Tricks ", I think there are enough options out there already for the beginner. While I consider myself at least moderately proficient with Vegas, I'm reminded on a daily basis how little I know and just how much I have yet to learn.

Just last night I was working on a project with a rather complicated series of type and wanted to duplicate it and move it to another segment. I wanted to render it but with transparency to accomplish this and found the answer here on the board ( http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=238691 ) I kept missing the "change the alpha channel drop down from none to straight (unmatted) ". This was a huge revelation for me. But I would have been lost if I had not remembered reading about it on the board.

The biggest thing for me about these little " Tips & Tricks " isn't necessarily the techniques learned, but the ideas and applications that they inspire.

As always, one mans humble opinion.

- Ray

www.undergroundplanet.com

I think it should cover things that aren't easily understood using the manual.
Kinda like... You've read the manual, you've read this book, now you're set!
As a hobbyist, I've learned the basics. However, a reference book on how to accomplish the more complex tasks would be EXACTLY what I'd need.
Already available is the manual, and the Digital Audio and Video Book. DA and V Book shows step by step how to get familiar with Vegas. I'd see this as a reference for things not covered in those two.
I'd include also how to get the final product into DVD-A, but I wouldn't go into great detail about that app.
I take it this would be a book for Vegas 4?!? ;)

My preferred topics... Color correction, Surround Mixing, Chromakey

Want my deposit now?? :)

M

How about an in-depth discussion of the FX and audio plug-ins. These are the most poorly documented aspects of Vegas at the moment, while providing some of the greatest strengths and flexibility..

Color correction is another area that could bear some in-depth discussion, as could the use of the vector scope and wave form monitor.

Codify all the little things we all learn through trial and error, many of which distill on this BB into "tips and tricks."

Also, a glossary which correlates Vegas terminology with terms more commonly used in the non-Vegas editing world, and/or which explains unusual Vegas terms: e.g., "event = clip" for the former, "envelope" for the latter.

I look forward to seeing what you come up with.

DELETED!

The only request I have is that you dedicate the book to Zippy---After all DSE, you had alot to do with him becoming a human being and realizing that Vegas is his friend, not his spouse.

DELETED!

I don't have the first book so I don't know if this was covered?

1. Parent tracks, bump maps, croma keying, modes indepth.
2. Scopes/color correction color isolation indepth
3. 5.1 mixing indepth
4. Audio busses
4. FX automation/when to use
5. Incorporating the Sony Media software suite to create stunning projects
6. Cardboard cut out of all shot cut keys
7. Boris3GL plugin usage

Thats all I can think of right now...

C'mon Rex! 2004 either marked the end of Zippy's use of halucinogenics, or the moment of maturity. I like the new Zippy!
One thing I can guarantee is the book will have no color. At the price point this book is designed to hit, color is not an option.
It's mostly graphics, screenshots like the other VASST books are. Workflows, etc.

Considering that you will get a lot of readers who also have the first book. I think the book should be about, now that you know the various features of Vegas, how do you use them? I mean, really use them. To be able to integrate all the tools into your creative process. To get what you want and to get it quickly. Also there are often several ways to do things in Vegas, but is there a best way or a quicker way?

For example, compositing modes: I know Vegas has ton of them, but I am not always sure which one I want before experimenting with them. If I could avoid that step, my workflow would be much quicker. So I think the book should be geared towards taking the editor to the next level. From novice to intermediate and from intermediate to advanced.
The structure of the book could be the beginning concentrates on techniques and the end chapters test how you use those techniques and how to choose which technique. Rather than walk us through a an example, give us the situation and desired output and walk us through the workflow and the decision-making process.

Spot,
Here's my input. I prefer to work through an exercise for each major function of the software. Identify the function, describe how it can/should be used, then take the reader through a step-by-step exercise. Areas that I would like to see covered are: color correction, audio noise reduction, music creation, multi-camera video track setup, fancy titling, use of FX's and plug-ins (3D for instance). For a special chapter, recommend equipment for sound recording for the new videographer with a very modest budget and maybe some outlines for shooting weddings (checklist, shots to get, script for editing, etc. I'd like to use this book as a reference manual next to my editing machine that I could tab for quick reference to the best way to accomplish a function. I've read a lot of software books but the ones I use most are the ones that have a step-by-step procedure for how to do a specific thing. Sure would like that for Vegas. Thanks for asking and looking forward to anything you put out. I have your last book and re-read it often to get parts that I missed. Good stuff! Keep it coming.
Thanks,
Randy

. . okay my 2 pennies worth.

1 - I love colour pics. Solution: Where you make a reference to a colour picture/instruction invite reader to download same pic from your server! Easy-peasey! If you wanna somone to do the graphics . . let's talk! I've other ideas too . .

2 - I've been reading the Boris Graf 3.0 manual. Yes its thick, yes it can press flowers nicely and yes it keeps my door open . . BUT, but, but there is a reason for thisas I'm learning from reading it. It does go to long lengths in "holding" one's hand. It doesn't just say, "This is how you do . . . " it says somehting like "Here we are going to do the following. The reason why we are doing . . Now you know what we did it and the the way we did it. . "

Grazie

Include a cd with all of the source material so that users can actually build the projects you are showing them it definitley helps in my opinion. The price of a CD should be next to nothing to include. I bought TheStreetProductions DVD training set for Combustion 3 and it included all of the source footage which allows you to follow along easily.

I lilke both the big book and DVD workshop for learning the many tools in Vegas. I would like to see a book that approaches Vegas from a solution point of view. Your DVD Workshop takes this appoach at times. Your first Big Book describes Vegas tools in detail, now the second book would be more like "Putting Vegas to Work". Describe a certain end result and detail how it's accomplished in Vegas. This would be much better with color pictures, but I guess this isn't an option. Maybe include clips and veg files on CD, almost like a tutorial. The book should be directed to the upper medium to advanced user.

Good luck with the book and I'm already looking forward to it!

I think a really important thing is that the cover should match your first book...cuz I JUST ORDERED YOUR FIRST ONE TODAY!!! :)
What's taking Amazon so long... it's been like 4-5 hours since I ordered and it isn't here yet?!?

"Describe a certain end result and detail how it's accomplished in Vegas."
I agree with this idea also.
The table of contents would list what is being accomplished. When you turn to that section you would have screenshots and descriptions of the steps required to get to that end result.

Also, as I mentioned in my e-mail... there are obviously parts that you would have covered more extensively in your first book but were forced to leave out.
I'd also recommend this be aimed at the intermediate to experienced VEGAS user*. I'm a hobbyist who wants to eventually get to use Vegas in depth. Since I'll have the manual, the DV and Audio Production book (for version 3.0), and your big book, I'd be looking for a reference book that showcases Vegas' hidden strengths.

* I stipulated experienced VEGAS user meaning that the book should be aimed at intermediate to experienced VEGAS user, not experienced DV editor. If you start getting into technical terms to the point that I need to buy another book to explain these terms... :(

Finally, Vegas is a powerful AUDIO package also, and that shouldn't be left out.

That about does it. Oops! I forgot, don't forget to dedicate the book to me. My mommy would be so proud!

M

SPOT,

What price point is the book designed to hit? I just got two photoshop books for Christmas both in full color with lots (and I mean lots) of pictures. Adobe Photoshop CS Down and Dirty Tricks is like $28 at Amazon and Photoshop Type Effects is like $32 and even comes with a CD.

Personally I think any graphic industry book with pictures should have those pictures in color. Considering that I get twelve issues of a full color magazine for less than $30 a year ... if I'm expected to pay more than $25 for a single book then it better be in color.

Try getting NewRiders to publish your book if CMP is too behind the times to print in color.

JBJones

I hope an entire chapter will be devoted to something like...
"creative techniques/tricks". A step-by-step method (like in Vegas manual) will help.

To a newcomer, terms like busses,motion tracks,envelopes ,velocity, etc can get a bit confusing. Are we in the locomotive/transport industry ? An explanation of these terms can go a long way .

I still have no clue on how to tweak audio effects to achieve good results. Hope this will be explained in detail.

Make it a "must have" bible for Vegas !

SPOT - I second the inclusion of a cd for veg files and source video for the included examples.

I don't want to speak for all but, MOST of us will have somewhat of a handle on the basics of Vegas. Something that your first book explained very well. Now it is time to expand on that book and get into detail on how you accomplish a given task using the tools. Make it for the advanced user.
Just taking some thoughts from other members that could be included.

tips/tricks
FX and audio plug-ins(when to use them) (what FX will achieve certain results)
Color correction (vector scope and wave form monitor)5.1 mixing indepth
FX automation/when to use
DVD Architecht (how to get the best use out of it with Vegas)

When is the release date for this book?

BUMP! BUMP!

First and foremost, as I said above; No CD, no color images. Other than for C/C, the majority of the book won't benefit from it, and the cost is very, very high. Has nothing to do with CMP, it's my choice.
The VASST books sell for 24.95 retail, and by the time Amazon has stripped off their 30%, it's pretty cheap. Magazines are different paper stock and not designed to have lasting value. You'd be very surprised at how expensive it is to insert just a few color images in a book, hence the way it was done in the Vegas 'big' book.
All this input is very, very helpful, as it's actually caused a shift in the contents of the book early enough that I'm not re-writing the whole thing again like I did with the beginning of the Vegas 'big' book.
Keep it coming, please!? I really want to write this book for what YOU want me to write about, not what I want to write about.

Explanation and steps to download, save and use scripts in VV4 would be nice for those of us who are not code programmers. It doesn't necessarily have to teach us how to program but how to use, with a little more detail, what has already been published. Great job on workshop book and looking forward to more.