Tutorials Updates

Could we have a couple of links(in the application under help for example) to approved sites, that can provide current tutorials as a free pdf download. That would leave you to concentrate soley on developement.
The trouble with Wiki’s etc, although very informative and well set out; they are absolute pain in the ***!!!@@@ to print.
Regards
Charles

I, like many people who learn new software, depend on tutorials to learn the interface and new techniques quickly. However, when tutorials no longer match the new version of the software, this becomes a laborious, time-consuming and often puzzling task.

The Tutorials included in the 3DC Help are very good, but [i:udji64ys]are[/i:udji64ys] out of date. It seems to have been some time since they were updated to match the updated version 3DC.

I completed the Creating a Model Step by Step, but it took me much longer than it should have, because the location of some tool panels, etc is not quite the same in the tutorial as in 3D7.

Also, in the Cross Section Modeling, a link to the set of plans BLS 465 created by Tobias Benjamin Kohler is no longer easily reachable, as the site has moved. I reached [img:udji64ys]http://www.railfaneurope.net/frameset.htm[/img:udji64ys]
<!– m –><a class="postlink" href="http://www.railfaneurope.net/frameset.htm">http://www.railfaneurope.net/frameset.htm</a>&lt;!– m –>
, but am now at a loss to find the plans (although they may still be there).

I will continue trying to use the tutorial without the images, but it would be wondeful if someone experienced with both 3DC and with the tutorials could update them. I would even help with this myself, if I were familiar enough with 3DC .

a further suggestion would be to offer tutorials on 3DC’s site, perhaps in a standard format. These would be easy to keep updated .. (and when I know what I’m doing I would help)

Here is an example of what could be done… these are tutorials pages set up by the Paint Shop Pro Users Group, who even have them organized by software version: [img:udji64ys]http&#58;//www&#46;pspug&#46;org/tut/tut8eff&#46;shtml[/img:udji64ys]
<!– m –><a class="postlink" href="http://www.pspug.org/tut/tut8eff.shtml">http://www.pspug.org/tut/tut8eff.shtml</a>&lt;!– m –>

Yeah… I’m a noob and who am I to come charging in with all these outside ideas? but truly, my suggestion are offered most respectfully, and as I said, as soon as I know what I’m doing, I’d be willing to help…

Meanwhile.. I’m grateful for any tutorials I can manage to follow!

i agree butterpaw these tutorials do need to be updated and i would even like to see some new tutorials come out that would be great.
thanks, pirate

Maybe we could have one of these ‘new fangled wiki things’. Where [i:1o5uta0b]simple[/i:1o5uta0b] little videos/tutorial could be added for each tool/option by us the users for the users by the users ?

Tutorials take a long time to do.

Alan,

That’s a great idea. This also would permit some organization of tutorials by tool with subsets categories for beginners, and advanced users. Beginners need encouragement to successfully complete simple tasks to gain self-confidence in using the tools. Some more complex tools may need an intermediate level tutorial for some before attempting advanced use.

Richard is probably extremely busy right now working on the KUJU Rail Simulator Exporter, which explains why the tutorials may not exactly match the current usage within 3DC7.

I am an infrequent user of 3DC and have used an older version of 3DC to make assets for Trainz in the past. However, I have kept my 3DC subscription up-to-date and have 3DC7. When I tried to use it, I had similar problems.

Charles

I’ve been using mediawiki for some years, so if you decide to go that route, I’d be glad to help any way I can. I don’t profess to be a total expert with it, but am pretty competent

Sorry for double posting, but a further thought, as I reread this thread.

‘Richard is probably extremely busy right now working on the KUJU Rail Simulator Exporter’ … which is as it should be – he develops the software.

We, the users, are the ones who can (and should, imho) prepare tutorials..

As soon as I have successfully completed a problem I’m working on .. I will make a tutorial of a part of it that could be used in the building of a number of different sorts of models.

Uhm another thing.. the Tips that come up at the beginning are really great.. I just wish they would link directly to the place in the help where it shows how to use the tool … OR … even just show the tool’s icon and possibly mention where it sits..

However, given that this is within the software package and would take a lot of time for Richard to update… if we do set up a tutorial area, the tips could be placed there also, and we could all contribute to adding the additional info (if y’all like the idea, of course)

this would be great butterpaw, let us know how your progress is coming or if you need any help..
pirate

well the problem I was working on was solved the employing the Piper plugin… and that’s been nicely presented by Bazza

However it’s certainly one that could be in the special tutorial ares (if we do that). I do feel a bit new here, and so if people like the idea and set it up, I would certainly contribute

meanwhile I’m going to start making notes of my stumbling blocks and solutions <!– s;) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!– s;) –> <!– s:) –><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!– s:) –>

The tutorials do need updating. I agree. I actually do go through them on a regular basis and update them to match changes. Many of the screen captures are out of date, but I usually don’t update them unless the changes make them difficult to understand.

I’ll go through the tutorials again soon.

Any other specific suggestions as to tutorial updates.

I’ll also look at all of the other comments made here about wiki etc.

It is pretty tough to develop AND document. My main priority is to develop right now. I’m the only one who can do it (besides the creation of plugins/operations scripts), but as mentioned, anyone can create a tutorial.

Every tutorial written by users is much appreciated by me, even if I don’t mention it.