New manual

[samsc]

thanks reagan.

Please tell us when you have a new manual or part of manual.

I know you have a new version of software ready---- because i wrote it.

I might also have to write additional documentation and place it here - for new features if your manual is not adequate.

[samsc]

So reagan.

Have you guys proof read your new support pages correctly, and not repeated a lot of mistakes you made in the past?

[reagan]

thanks reagan.

Please tell us when you have a new manual or part of manual.

I know you have a new version of software ready---- because i wrote it.

I might also have to write additional documentation and place it here - for new features if your manual is not adequate.

A new manual specific to v3.3 (Pro, DV, Xpress) is downloadable
here[pdf] 12.2 MB. New features are described in detail (though I'm sure Richard can comment further if the manual doesn't satisfy product questions). Use this form to report errors or omissions in the manual. Cheers!

[samsc]

The stuff on presets isnt quite right.

The order in the chapter is confusing- and should be example led - not feature led.

you dont show someone how to use a phone - by telling them what each button does.

[Spam Butterfly]

Since I wrote the presets section I guess I should answer this.

a) I write to a timeline - other people have to proof, format and typeset what I write. I had a limited amount of time to write this section.

b) It is very much work in progress.

c) We will be releasing updates regularly and revising existing documentation.

Hugh

[samsc]

Hugh - in your next revision -


You should show people how to do things with presets.
Showing people how to do tasks is always a much better way of writing a manual.
You can show people how to do 3 or 4 things - and they can figure out everything else for themselves.
Describing features one after another makes manuals unreadable and unuseable.

I have repeated this message to everyone who has attempted to do manual writing.

[samsc]

Presets are very important as their purpose is to remove the need for complex programming to be done on a lighting console - in certain situations.

There are very easy to set up and use, and hopefully much much easier to learn than to learn how to program a lighting console.

This is the approach that documentation needs to take.

You dont have to learn how to store and program cues, with complex parameters.
You can play back all parameters with great flexibility independantly of each other.
Presets are designed to be setup and used in seconds.

[samsc]

these are the things you should show people..

you should show people they can do all the following from seperate presets:

1. fading a layer. without altering any other parameters.
2. fading a layer and changing other things.
3. loading a movie. without altering any other parameters.
4. loading a movie faded out, then fading it in.
5. playing with visual fx.
6. altering just visual fx.
7. moving the image in a layer.
8. moving the image to random positions.
9. moving the image in a circle, or a figure of 8.

10. storing or capturing all current parameters.
11. altering captured parameters.

12 setting up the keyboard to do different sets of things.
13. using keys to just alter certain parameters, like start and stop a movie.


etcetcetc