The January 2012 Tutorial Discussion

[HayTay]

Congratulations on The 'New' Xara Xone and the first tutorial of the revamped site and the new year, GDB. The Xone is looking good, and different.

I found the video tutorial entertaining. Beyond learning the basics, though, I tend to dislike the video format for software tutorials altogether. They're either too fast (your VT is) or too slow and boring. I also dislike having to continually pause and rewind video tutorials to try to discover what I can't see, what I can't hear, what it was that was done some minutes ago (that I've now forgotten) to achieve an effect, or what the event was that occurred off screen with no explanation (usually some keyboard shortcut) that produced the result on the screen. I've got other issues with video tutorials, as well, but I'll quit before going on an endless rant.

In the end, I watched the tutorial about 2/3 of the way through before deciding to stop it and wing it on my own. How many inexperienced users of Xara Xtreme, Xara P&GD and Xara Designer Pro can do that though? It seems that only a few experienced users of Xara's software products have gone through the tutorial and posted their results. And fine results they are. But what about the new and/or inexperienced users? It would be nice to have some new/inexperienced Xara software users chime in and give their opinion of the video tutorial, its content and how easy or difficult it was for them to complete the dodecahedron and, of course, to post their results.

When I saw this tutorial I had flashbacks to the late 70s & early 80s when playing various RPGs (Role Playing Games) was all the rage. I've still got my drawstring bag of dice in a box somewhere in the basement. To that end, I just had to have a go at creating a 12-sided die. Everything to create the image was done from scratch, including the faces/shapes of the the dodecahedron.

This was a fun exercise.

Thanks Gary,
Harry

[Gare]

You did good, Harry, especially if you didn't use the template I offered.

I enjoy it when readers/viewers/user-artists riff on a principle. Admittedly, I'm not sure how many different situations building a twelve-sided objects would be called for, but that wasn't the entire point of the "assignment". I wanted to show what makes 3D: the geometry is the simple stuff; lighting, perspective, texture...these elements make or break any composition that wants to be photorealisitic in execution.

People tend not to feel indifferent about video tutorials: we love them or hate them, and I've been delivering tutes both ways for years, with inconclusive general preferences.

I have been reprimanded for the pace, and promise to slow it down in future video tutorials! Part of it was deliberate and the rest problematic, because I had to synch the audio to the video—I don't use a lavalier while I'm cursoring, everything is post production.

I do appreciate your input, because at the opposite extreme, I've seen tutorials that were delivered like Vermont maple syrup in December. We do live at an accelerated pace these days, particularly on the web, and I was honestly afraid of boring people.

I'd like to hear from entry level users, too, Harry. I'm a little ham-strung (here I go apologizing again) with respect to level of experience and anything I might teach. Consider this: On one hand, Gary Priester has been providing tutorials on The Xara Xone for a staggering 15 years. One might expect that there's nothing left to teach! I don't have the time to pore through every single tutorial posted in 15 years, or I'd be a much older, wiser man, and that's not my charge. So I've taken what I feel is a safe route and I'm simply teaching what interests me, myself.

If it's over too many heads, I'd ask that these heads let me know right here.

Also, I'm going to try to write a featurette each month in the "Tips and Tricks" area. Not a continuation of the single paragraph Tips Gary P. has been writing, because I think he's covered all of the short ones! Expect these monthlies to be longer and geared toward the less skilled artist/user.

Appreciate your comments, Harry,
—Gary

[HayTay]

Thanks Gary. The 12-sided die was just a 'quickie'. I think I might have another go and try to construct a more photo-realistic die with some supporting scenery.

As to video tutorials, I like them as long as they're short and sweet. A quick tour around the UI or a 2 - 3 minute video on a specific procedure, technique, etc. works great for me. I think that nearly all of the Video Demos that Xara has on their website for Xara Designer Pro are perfect. When video tutorials get longer and have multiple steps and procedures is when I (and I suspect other people) start to have a problem. That's when it becomes a frustrating, nearly endless loop of STOP-REWIND-TRY TO FIND/TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU MISSED OR FORGOT-PLAY operations. On the other hand, I can usually find or re-read written instructions much quicker. As a bonus, written instructions, screen shots, photos, etc. can be copied and pasted right into and saved with your XX, XP&GD, or XDP document for quick reference, if needed. Quite handy if I do say so myself (and I do!).

Maybe some type of hybrid tutorial, mixed text and video, is the way to go. Just a thought.

Thanks for listening,
Harry

[Gare]

I will make a mental note and stick it to the inside of my forehead for easy access, Harry.

I'm acquiring a list of significant length of people to please with my work!

Although I can see the sensibility of the length and depth of the Xara demos you posted a link to, I will be expected to out-do what amounts to "feature lists" and explanations—easily accomplished within 3 minutes because there's a logical length to a definition when explained in video.

Tell you what: I'll try to make future tutorials as good as I can, and please myself first, eh?

And I consider myself to be a real demanding audience.

My Best,

Gary

[HayTay]

Sounds like a plan to me:
1. Please yourself!
2. Please the masses.
3. Let everyone else catch up, if they please!

I look forward to your next tutorial.

BTW, the Taming and Grooming Xara Designer write up in the Tips & Tricks section of The Xara Xone is a must read for new Xara Designer users. Many seasoned users of Xara Xtreme Pro/Designer Pro may even pick up a time saving Tip or Trick, or two. Well done, Gary!