Video tutorials

[Thierry]

So, as you are probably aware, our video tutorials are getting a little old and outdated. We plan on redoing all of them once the online manual will be completed (shouldn't be long now), but before that, there's a few questions I would like to ask :

- Would you like to have some sound (someone speaking in English and/or French) in the tutorials or no sound at all ?
- Would you like to have subtitles ?
- What would be the ideal length of the tutorials ?
- What features would you like to be be covered in the tutorials ?
- For the beginners tutorials (aimed for people discovering TVPaint Animation), what essential information should these tutorials contain ? (what would a newcomer should first learn about the software)

Thanks in advance

[neonnoodle]

- I like audio, because it helps draw my attention to what is going on, and can provide more detailed explanation of what's happening on screen than is possible with just subtitles.
- Subtitles are great as long as they are well-written! Otherwise they are extremely confusing. If the person making the videos is not a native speaker of English, I still find it easier to understand if they narrate, even with accented and imperfect English. It's usually easier for me to get the idea with spoken language than with a strangely-phrased subtitle.

Project-based tutorials are helpful because they relate to real-world workflows. A long tutorial can be split up into parts, but if each part is a step along the way of a single project, it will be clear how each step relates to the last and how each step moves the user toward the finished result.

For each step of the traditional animation workflow, there will naturally be certain features of TVP that will be explained in the process:
- drawing your keys and extremes (drawing tools, timeline, image marks, library panel for model sheets)
- flipping and rolling (flips panel, light table, out-of-pegs)
- cleanup and color (line smoothing, CTG layers)
- looping a character walking across the screen, or making a background pan (creating an animbrush, Keyframer FX)

For absolute beginners, the most unfamiliar thing I think is the interface and the non-standard keyboard shortcuts:
- moving around the canvas with Alt-mouse, Alt-Rmouse, Ctrl-Alt, etc.
- the concept of the drawers, and moving palettes around in and out of drawers
- the concept of instance heads, breaking instances, and pre/post layer behavior

[schwarzgrau]

I completely agree with neonnoodle. I think the best idea would be to choose an english-speaking person (probably Mark Chong, if he got time) and create subtitles for the most common languages spoken by TVPaint users (probably french, spanish, german and japanese).

[Animark]

I often used Tutorials for audio applications and some After effects stuff during the last year.

- I totally don't like if the "narrator" haven't planned the steps he tries to show and also didn't planned the spoken text. In my opinion, a video tutorial should be planned well (like an animted film ) and should use a script for the narrator. I never had problems with non native speakers or "broken english" speakers - but they should be well recorded.

- Make the tutorials very fast. Time is money . Every user is able to use the start and stop button of a video player. I've scrolled very often inside much to long tutorials to find the valuable information I was looking for.

- Make them full HD, sometime I found it very difficult to identify witch button was pressed or wich menu was choosen when watching an undefined soup of pixels.

- Most helpful for me were the tutorials have treated briefly and quickly the individual topics. I think it's better to have more short tuts as a few long ones.

BTW: I've never used a TVPaint tutorial .... yet.

[Sewie]

...
- For the beginners tutorials (aimed for people discovering TVPaint Animation), what essential information should these tutorials contain ? (what would a newcomer should first learn about the software)
...

In my opinion, one of TVPaint's strongest assets is it's brush engine. I've heard from friends and colleagues who've tried TVP that they got discouraged because they couldn't find the right drawing and painting tools and the settings for those. (The standard brushes are still kind of limited in my opinion and not as diverse compared to many other graphics software, Photoshop being the largest one out there. I think this goes especially for natural looking painting brushes. But I suppose that is another discussion) Or they found it too much of a hassle having to search for the panels that contain those settings.

So for new users, a proper demonstration on how to start drawing and painting from the get-go would be good. Where to find all the settings that one would need, smooth settings, eraser, working with layers, etc, etc.

And please don't do tutorials where the demonstrator uses a bunch of self made custom panels, plugins and crazy hacks because that is very discouraging for a beginner! It makes the software seem awfully inaccessible.

When making tutorials it would be best to use TVPaint with all the standard settings that a new user would find opening the software for the very first time.


Edit:

I think the first overarching impression you should want to give with the tutorials is; "look how easy TVP is to use straight out of the box!".

Not: "Look how many gadgets and settings we have hidden in FX panels, custom panels, plugins etc.!". Or "Look how much you can modify the software with all these custom panels". (Though at a later stage, I do believe you should dive into the custompanels with the tutorials.)

[slowtiger]

Good Tutorials are edited. Don't just use a screenrecording where the presenter either stumbles over words or actions. Do a script first, then record it, then do the actions. Be prepared to add more visual cues, like highlighting the cursor or the buttons used.

I prefer spoken words over subtitles.

[Peter Wassink]

i agree, that spoken tutorials, when done right are the best.
but to do them right takes a lot of effort.

I think the best idea would be to choose an english-speaking person (probably Mark Chong, if he got time)

...
And please don't do tutorials where the demonstrator uses a bunch of self made custom panels, plugins and crazy hacks because that is very discouraging for a beginner! It makes the software seem awfully inaccessible.

hihi

[schwarzgrau]

Hehe probably Mark without the customstuff

[Svengali]

The website, Ctrlpaint.com was created by Matt Kohr. It is a Photoshop oriented site that offers hundreds of free, bite-sized tutorials sorted into extremely well thought-out categories. Each lasts about five minutes, often referring to other, earlier tutorial content.

In addition, he monetizes his efforts by offering a collection of ten or more bundled, advanced, in-depth tutorials which can be subscribed to (@ $10.00 a pop).

In addition to the organization, Matt is a master of presentation with friendly, well thought out, conversational narratives. Each tutorial features visual examples and recorded painting demonstrations that "show" as much as "tell".

The entire site demonstrates what software tutorials could be.

Sven

[Sewie]

That's a very interesting website, Sven! Thanks for sharing.

[Elodie]

Thank you all for your feedbacks.

Indeed, the future tutorials will have a script (as we did for tvpaint 10 tutorials). Sound will be recorded first, then videos will be grabbed, then edited with sound.

We will probably work in partnership with à studio specialized in tutorials and e-learning, in order to give very good quality tutorials.

Feel fre to suggerate other ideas (thank you Sewie regarding brushes : i think it could be interesting to do à bunch of tutorials only dedicated to brushes).

[louism777]

It would be nice if you can do subtitles because some of them may be hard of hearing including myself.

[habashtvpaint]

Yes please, video tutorials for TVPaint are a must.

- I think a specialised studio with e-learning history would be fantastic to create a structured video manual... but this will raise another question I"m afraid to ask ... will they be free tutorials? with a studio involved, I doubt it

- Video tutorials will create a brilliant insight and wider recognition for the software as well.

- English is global language and I'd say it will work well. especially with english interface, but French or other languages will work well, without the need of subtitle.! its a matter of cost and time for creating them at the end i think.

- the length of the video will depend on the subject. if you end up breaking the tutorials into little features they can all have similar length. say 10 minute max. but if you're covering up a big topic, like using the FX stack with overview of all the FX, that can be surely longer than covering the use of the stopwatch or the guidelines features. As mentioned "time is money" ... I watch tutorials alot and usually never check the ones longer than 30 minutes

- I suggest for beginners or new comers to have an overview of the software (interface and core features, the core features would be the traditional animation and how TVPaint master this, there are tens of apps out there that can do special effects, illustration, brushes, storyboards, and even 2D animation) but I think its important to show how TVP is dedicated to simply the 2D animation art and packaged in a way that preserves the essence of traditional animation.

I am planning to create some myself, but as mentioned, they should be planned and recorded very well. not just blabbering in front of a microphone while nothing is happening on the screen.
my plan is to make tutorials based on personal use of TVPaint and share any tips and tricks.

[habashtvpaint]

Hello Again,

I'd like to elaborate more on the subject of TVPaint Video tutorials with an example of another favourite software I use regularly,

PFTrack is a 3D tracking software and it is used by professionals around the globe. the example I'd like to show is in their latest version (2015), the software have now a dedicated button/command in its menu called "Learning Zone" which will spring jump to a specialised vimeo channel page https://vimeo.com/channels/pftrack/60099750" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
the videos are structured in a neat order, with clear narration and very thorough explanation of the interface, commands and how to use the software.

I must admit, and maybe this is only me but I have always struggled finding what I need to learn from TVPaint manual. the explanation is clear but the index's structure is confusing and I usually end up using search to find the subject I'm after. In addition, and I believe this has been mentioned in the forum earlier, some of the examples used in the TVP manual are too simple and not enough to explain the tools or commands and can keep the reader/learner looking for more, or guided by trial and error method.

TVPaint education is a wonderful necessity and can be embedded in the software like the example I mentioned earlier, with additional treats of tips and tricks / commands/ custom menus / modified tools / organised and shared from users around the world. Also with a video channel on the web, users can find more about TVPaint contribution to the the animation industry...

I mean I would love to see how Cartoon Saloon uses TVpaint in their workflow, wouldn't you? it may not be practical for a studio to make a tutorial but its still a nice idea

[Elodie]

Thank you for your great feedback, Habash !

Indeed, the tutorials will have a cost in order to produce fast but good quality tutorials.
For TVPaint 10, from the script to the export, I needed 2 hours to produce 1 min... I spent à whole week to poorly make about 20minutes... working with a studio specialized with e-learning, we could record 4 hours (with sound) of tutorials for 3 working days.

Regarding Cartoon Saloon, i know they are quite busy and I'm afraid the only chance to see the way they work is to cross your finger for extra bonus in Song of the sea' blu-ray