The VV3 manual is an "evil" necessity!

Jay Gladwell wrote on 2/9/2002, 8:46 AM
The manual for VV3 leaves a great deal to be desired. I'm finding it extremely difficult to find instructions on how to do certain tasks. For example, how to create a "freeze frame" was found under "capturing a timeline snapshot." That is a very misleading description of the function or process being carried out.

If the powers-that-be ever have the presence of mind to "upgrade" or "improve" the manual, they ought to consider including terminology that most of us (at least those that came from film editing) are familiar with.

Waiting for the day that pigs fly.

Jay

Comments

wvg wrote on 2/9/2002, 9:05 AM
Interesting comment. I found the manual both very well written and well organized. We are talking about the same document right? Not the puny Quick Start, the FULL 363 page manual you can get in PDF format off the SOFO web site.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 2/9/2002, 9:26 AM
Yes, that's the one -- all 360+ pages.
wvg wrote on 2/9/2002, 3:54 PM
I'd wager LOTS of people using Vegas Video have little if any film editing experience. Part of climbing of the learning curve is grasping a particular application's terminology which can differ between Product X verses Product Y... even from lay terms in common use. For instance your example of "freeze frame" (somewhat slang) than the more formal "capturing a timeline snapshot". While they both probably mean the same things if you compare the terms side by side, finding "help" for whatever you're needing it for can be time consuming if you don't know the term a application uses.

In any complex application there's bound to be some confusion... at first. For example in Vegas Video their is a floppy icon on the Tool Bar that saves the project file and another floppy icon just above the preview window that saves a single frame from the timeline; your freeze frame. If you hover your mouse over each, you quickly learn what each does, compared to just looking at them, you may guess.

For all Vegas Video does, and it does a great deal, I think the guys at Sonic Foundry really came up with a complete yet uncluttered interface, far easier to use then say that "P" application which makes it that much easier to focus on your editing.

As far as the manual, people will differ at to its usefullness. Like I said, I think it is first rate. When combined with the extensive online help, working your way through the extensive tutorial and them taking advantage of the help offered here in the forum, anyone putting in just a little effort and exploration of the product's features should get up and running quickly and become proficient with regular use. :-)
EricK wrote on 2/9/2002, 6:53 PM
I must agree, the first manual I read was for VF.00. I commented to Sonic Foundry about the terminology being based on sound recording and not video editing. Now that I am using Veags 3.00 keep looking in the Forum for "clues" on how to do things.
kkolbo wrote on 2/9/2002, 11:53 PM
Hmmmm... After reading tons of manuals, many of them for NLE's when they first came out years ago I was impressed with the SF manual and read it cover to cover. By doing so I learned their way of saying and doing things. That is important since every manufacturer that I have used has 'their own' language. I also uncovered many new ideas that I would have missed. As a professional I give the manual a B to B+.

For example if read the whole amnual you also learn that to freeze the end frame of a clip, just turn off the 'LOOP" switch and extend the event beyond the end of the clip. You now have a freeze frame at the end that is accurately the last frame! If you need this for an event rather than a clip, render just the event to another track (did you know that you can do that?) and then turn off loop and extend the event beyond the end and viola! See what is in the manual :)

Sorry guys, too much happy juice in my Wheaties me thinks.
K