Digital Workshop

A DW email from July mentioned a "forthcoming Opus MasterClass CD". The training DVDs that I have for other programs are my favourite way of learning how to use them and I would benefit greatly from an Opus disc as I still struggle with scripting in particular.

Does anyone know when such a disc might be released? Perhaps Chris Jones or another third party would be interested in creating one, too. There's plenty of room!

Walter

Let's hear from the community

Who's interested ?
What kind of content would you like to see ?

Cheers
Chris

A series of "flash like" executions - nifty effects and clever widgets.

A New Masters of Opus! (rather than flash)

The most effective training videos combine onscreen demonstrations a la Camtasia with audio narration that explains what's going on and also points out tips and pitfalls. Some vendors provide DVD videos that play back on any DVD player - which I prefer - while some use MS codecs that will only play back on a PC.

For content I would like a primer that covers the basics and focuses on efficiently doing everyday tasks. For example, I don't bother to use frames but I probably should; I just don't fully appreciate the benefits over using multiple pages.

I would really like to see basic and advanced scripting explained and demonstrated. I've printed out the manual from Opus but find the cross-referencing confusing and frequently lacking.

It's my opinion that the best training is project-oriented. Devise a project that incorporates all the elements you want to discuss and then methodically demonstrate all the actions and logic required to build the finished product. Anticipate the viewers' questions and answer them. Put them on a DVD with a front-end that allows non-linear lesson access, of course!

Then send me the bill.

Walter

Despite having created a number of publications which connect to databases - I still struggle every time to get them working properly.

I'd like to see tutorials on Opus and databases: Access and Excel as well as on-line DBs such as MySQL (along with guidance on associated scripting).

David

As Chris requested, we need to let DW know what topics should be covered in a Master Class CD-ROM. What do they say at a wedding: "Speak now, or forever hold your peace?"

Seriously, we need to give input. I'm recommending lots of examples of the use of different features. I've learned this product by seeing what others have created, then adding my own "touch/twist" after re-reading the User Manual so what I just saw makes sense. Is this what others want, or would you prefer "Step #1..." "Step #2" to demonstrate the more Advanced Features?

If only a small handful of users show an interest in a Master Class CD-ROM, it will be difficult for DW to justify spending time/money on such a project. You must know/appreciate how expensive building something like this will be. If there's little interest, then it's not likely DW could re-coup their investment.

How about some input on what a Master Class CD-ROM would be worth to you? A great, feature rich product like OPUS (or any other software package for that matter) is almost worthless if you don't know how to use it, or you can only do "elementary tasks" because you can't figure out more complex features.

PLEASE GIVE DW YOUR INPUT.

Here are the things I would like to see on the Masterclass CDROM:

1. scripting tutorials with many examples

2. several fully developed projects with a comprehensive walkthroough of all the key features: animatioins, menu handling, multiframes and rollovers ...

3. Audio handling

4. Publishing to Flex for web output - things to watch for

5. A complete walkthrough of the security features in Pro XE, with a working example

6. Making vector packages like coreldraw or xara part of the workflow (importing vector art is something I have found to be tricky).

7. More information on making games in Opus would be great - given that XE has collision detection and joystick input.

Other people have mentioned databases.

I would think that £30 - £40 would be about right for the masterclass CD.

best regards,

Brian

I would also like to see a walkthrough of a SCORM project working with a learning management system.

Pete

I agree with Pete, a good explaination of the functions within SCORM would be very useful. DW could explain the functions in a step-by-step format in a similar way as Claude Ostyn formatted his SCORM Cookbook. For those interested in this subject I found the cookbook gave me more information and understanding in half a day than all the other papers I had read on the subject.