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I mentioned this awhile ago before there was a wish list. There is one thing you'll notice about software packages that got crazy huge over the past few years. Of course, a lot is due to file sharing, but if these people couldnt figure out how to use it, they wouldn't have gotten as popular (Flash comes to mind). One thing I feel Enliven needs, is less "Technical Documentation" and more full fledged BOOKS on how to use the program, with real world examples, like the 100's of books out there on how to use Flash or Dreamweaver or 3Ds Max. The technical documentation is nice for those who can read a dictionary of terms and figure out for themselves how to use those terms, but for creatives like me, I NEED a book where it says "Ever wanted to do that nifty car demo from scion that alows you to do all this cool stuff? This is how!" A Enliven+MTX script for dummies book. The 3 tutorial's available really dont do the software justice, they are ok for maybe trying to get someone to purchase the software, but as training material I find them lacking

For example, I have been waiting for 7 days trying to get information on how to talk to a SWF texture in a viewpoint scene, from outside the scene (and have no problem doing it in the MTX, as the only thing I use Enliven for is to import the 3D model and set textures). Can't get an answer (though forum admin mentioned he is trying and Dave posted some info on flash). Something like this is SOOOO basic, and should not slow down production for a week, but because of lack of concise, easy to find and read material with REAL WORLD EXAMPLES, I have completely had to STOP production on this piece until I can track down what I am doing wrong in my commands. These types of pitfall's KILL these projects, as my boss is just shaking his head saying "Why are we wasting time trying to use this technology if there isn't adequate training for it"? I can find more information on how to simulate this effect with stills in Flash then how to do it for real with technology that allows me to do just that, and relatively easily enough, IF I can find the hidden little nugget of information that will show me HOW.

It shouldn't be a mystery on how to use this technology, and honestly, IMO, an artist who uses enliven should be able to easily enough find the resource that they need that will allow them to do these things (without having to use a decoder ring and manual), or at the least have at least 1 book out there they can buy to train them on this. I realize that the technical documentation is there, but I find I have a hard time piecing the information together, and you can't search by "How do I talk to my actionscript in a swf that is a texture in my scene from outside my scene". :P

The second something like this becomes available I would buy 2 of them.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Media Outbreak,
 
Posts: 105 | Registered: March 16, 2007Reply With QuoteEdit or Delete MessageReport This Post
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