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MattMills
08-11-2011, 12:18 PM
Hello everyone. I decided to write a quick start guide to Catalyst because I found myself answering a lot of the same basic questions a lot. Let me know what you guys think. So far it has been well received. Let me know if you think I should add anything, keep in mind Im trying to keep it basic. Matt

http://web.me.com/millsmatt/Lighting_Programmer_Inc./Support_Files_files/Catalyst%20Quick%20Start%20Guilde.pdf

Mr_P
09-11-2011, 08:42 PM
A few comments without going in to massive detail:

page 3 -
Not a good idea to keep catalyst in the applications folder amongst everything else.
Better to be in its own sub-folder - then it is easier to find all the settings files that go with your show.

- should include part about selecting number of layers in preferences - sometimes 32 layers and mixes gets a bit confused.

- page 11 - should mention about mixes... not all shows run with full screen...

- page 13 - credit to SNP for the text thanks... straight out of one of my emails - not from any official catalyst manual...

good start... many have tried and given up!!..
needs a bit more detail...

Simon

MattMills
10-11-2011, 01:45 AM
Thanks Simon, I agree and this was the type of feedback I was hoping for.

Never knew Catalyst shouldn't be in Applications. So, I should just keep it in a folder on the desktop?

Ill definitely add the layers selection in preferences, great idea.

As for the mixes, I'm kind of on the fence with that one. I want this to be informative and basic. In my opinion, if someone understands the mixes part of Catalyst then this guide I have going on won't help them any. The calls I get on a regular basis are people asking how to get something playing on Catalyst. Really people that don't understand what they're doing. So I was hoping this would get them started.

So far people are digging it so ill definitely keep it going. Ill make a few revisions to this one and then start creating a more advanced one. Any suggestions on what I should cover in the advanced version? Definitely mixes, definitely PixelMad. Any other suggestions?

Mr_P
10-11-2011, 09:26 AM
I started writing specific help sheets based on questions I get asked - it is a bit easier than writing a full guide or manual.

Re catalyst location - doesnt matter where it is.
But it makes life easier if you put the application in it's own folder - then all the prefs files get saved in one place. This makes it easy to backup or archive a show since all the settings are in one folder.

I create a folder called catalyst, then in to that, put a sub folder for the show containing the catalyst application. This makes it very easy to duplicate the show folder for backup - always working from the original folder and all the copies become the backups. This means you can always reach the current version from task bar shortcut.
A lot of people leave a folder on the desktop, as it's easier to find...

S

AndreK
11-11-2011, 04:34 PM
Hello,
if someone is interested in german tutorials, just let me know and I will send you.
Cheers

Andre Krause
Technical Service & Support Specialist

Arcus Licht- und Präsentationstechnik GmbH
Obermeiers Feld 2-4
33104 Paderborn-Sennelager
Germany

Fon: +49 5254 93069 0
Fax: +49 5254 93069 29

www.arcus-lighting.com
www.facebook.com/arcuslicht

ksld
01-03-2012, 12:09 AM
Is it possible to get a pdf version of the embedded manual in the program

cheers
Kevin

Mr_P
01-03-2012, 12:26 AM
I wouldn't bother - its out of date...

take a look at:
https://sites.google.com/a/samsc.com/catalyst/home

its less out of date - Some features have been updated
But it should cover enough of the basics, until you figure out that you don't really need a manual... ;)

S

ksld
02-03-2012, 01:32 AM
OK Cheers Simon