Who reads the Manual?!

TLF wrote on 4/1/2006, 11:54 PM

I have just completed reading the Vegas manual.

Unfortaunately, during the first half I was a ilttle unwell and can't remember a thing about it, so I'm having to start again!

So, who else reads the manual before commencing use of a program?

I'm so used using Magix Movie Edit Pro 10 Plus, that I decided not to embark upon a project in VMS until I can appreciate the differences between them. At first look, they are remarkably similar, but there are more useful features in VMS, although there are some great time-savers in MEP.

I think that once I get going, I'll be sticking with VMS for the majority of my editing.

Regards,

Worley

Comments

cbrillow wrote on 4/2/2006, 3:45 AM

Whether it's new software or some other kind of toy, I RTFM. But I rarely read cover-to-cover before getting some hands-on experience. Usually, it will be something with which I have at least passing familiarity, so, after getting past the installation or assembly instructions or a 'quick start' section, I'll start to play around to see what I can discover.

After that, how thoroughly I read and how often I return to consult it depends upon several factors. If it's something I really enjoy, I'll take the manual to the bathroom library for study, pore over it at dinner, or fall asleep in the chair reading it.

The first read-through is normally a somewhat superficial one, concentrating on specific areas that I'll need to know thoroughly, or sections and features that appear new & exciting. You can't learn it all at once, so I like to get acquainted with all the new toy can do, even though I won't be able to remember exactly how to do it. It's enough, initially, to know what can be done, and that the steps to do it can be found in the manual.

Since most of my interests involve some kind of technology -- music, video, computers, etc. -- there's quite a bit that I don't fully comprehend on the first read, so the normal progression is to read, play, read some more, play some more. Repeat as necessary!

I find that most of the areas that were at first unclear to me, eventually become understandable, and that frequent rereading is a pleasurable and rewarding experience.

TLF wrote on 4/2/2006, 4:09 AM

That's pretty much the way I do it. But even the superficial read of new and different features hasn't sunk in thanks to something that disagreed with my stomach!

The second readthrough is much easier to understand. And with my highlighter pen, I'll know which are the most important parts when I get stuck!

I'm really surprised at how powerful 4 video and sudio tracks can be. I'm used to 32 tracks, but VMS works so well (and differently) from MEP that there is little need (yet) for any more.

Worley.

Paul Mead wrote on 4/2/2006, 5:08 AM

Just in case you hadn't noticed, the online manual has much more material in it than the printed manual, so make sure you take the time to go thru the online manual.

stevec5375 wrote on 4/2/2006, 6:12 AM

My biggest complaint about the online manual is all the stuff in there that "only works in Vegas". I wish they had published that material seperately. I know they are trying to get you to upgrade but it just gets in the way.

TLF wrote on 4/2/2006, 9:14 AM

I printed the pdf manual - is that the same as the online one? The Quick Guide (printed, in retail box) was next to useless as it told me everything I had discovered for myself through playing witht the demo version.

Yes, the "Vegas Only" parts were annoying. I think the entire third chapter was "Vegas Only"!

It's a marketing ploy to make you want to upgrade ;-)

Worley.

GerryLeacock wrote on 4/2/2006, 11:08 AM

My wife reads manuals. I'm a guy. What's a manual? :)

DrLumen wrote on 4/2/2006, 11:48 AM

I'll tinker first and then read the manual if I run into problems. I usually scan over the manual later that night though. Then, after learning my way around the app, I'll start looking through the manual for shortcuts or for better ways of doing things.

rustier wrote on 4/2/2006, 5:22 PM

dive in - mess about - when all else fails . . . read the directions

VMS is so user friendly IMO some ambitious clicking will just about get you anywhere you want to go

TLF wrote on 4/2/2006, 11:41 PM

Retrograde amnesia. Those things I've learned from using Movie Edit Pro interfere with my learning of Vegas.

With MEP I never bothered to read the manual; I found the program magnificently simple to use. But VMS is somewhat different and it doesn't do quite what I expect in the way I have come to expect.

Sure, I toyed with it for a month before buying the retail version (I was very close to getting Premiere Elements), but there are still parts where I get confused. Hence reading the manual FIRST!

Worley

Andy C wrote on 4/3/2006, 3:14 AM

Yes, I'll chip in here and register my IMMENSE irritation at having to contantly filter out 'Vegas only' paragraphs and chapters.

I'd kill for Velocity Envelopes in Platinum, though...
Andy.

TLF wrote on 4/3/2006, 6:02 AM

Yes velocity envelopes caught my attention last night whilst reading in bed. Just what I'm looking for, I thought, only to discover the dreaded "this feature is only available in the full version of Vegas"!

G R O W L

Still, reversing a video is stupidly easy, so I'll keep the hackles subdued for a little longer.

Worley

soaringrocks wrote on 4/3/2006, 9:50 AM

Did I read the manuals, yes but my problem with the factory manuals is that they are really a reference guides and don't spend much if any time building a context on how to use the features. There are only two real VMS and DVDAS examples on the CDs which I found frustrating.

If I had my druthers I'd like to read a section and then experiment with some examples to make sure I really understood. If you have problems learning VMS I'd recommend buying a third party manual.

(however, these forums and a few others are very useful and well worth your time/effort to follow)

stevec5375 wrote on 4/3/2006, 11:38 AM

I love being a forum where ideas get exchanged rather than a constant barrage of complaining and bickering. That was the way Pinnacle Studio's forum were becase the product was so horrible.

It's such a breath of fresh air to use a product that actually works on all of my computers and I don't have to mess with a bunch of hacks and work arounds.

Andy C wrote on 4/3/2006, 11:47 PM

Absolutely right, stevec5375.
I trialled about 6 different NLEs before stumbling upon VMS. I then bought the product mostly on the basis of this forum. I mean, what bugs are talked about here? None that I recall seeing! On the other hand, go to the Pinnacle forums and it's war.

randy-stewart wrote on 4/4/2006, 5:55 AM

Here's a manual you may like. It's more project based. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/157820271X/102-9807972-9262513
It costs about $16 (free shipping) but I think it's well worth it. The guys who wrote it are wizards with video and are experienced trainers.
Randy