Conference hydra::amiga_v1

3508.0. "Video Tutorials 3D Cookbook and Advanced DPIII" by SHARE::DOYLE () Wed Feb 21 1990 10:31

	Well yesterday I recieved "3-D Cook Book" by "Byte by Byte" and
      "Advanced Tutorial for Deluxe Paint III", both from ABLE for
	$17.95 each.
	Although both showed me a few tricks about my programs, I found that
       most of the information was a rehash of the manuals.
	 I found both done in the style of the old high school teaching aids,
       but D-paint III of better quality as well as content (this may be 
	because of my personal situation, see below).
	One thing I did find out with the 3-D Cook Book, was the large amount
       of options that were left out of SAjr. (what I have) and SA4D (what
	they used in the tutorial), some of wich can cut down the creation 
	process to a minimum (ex: Global Paths), and some that are mostly
	convienences (ex:grids).
	 Of course I realized that SAjr. didn't support raytracing, but
	I hadn't realized how many raytracing options there were.
	 Also seeing those Raytraced images on video in action made me
	wonder about upgradeing (anybody remember what that deal is?).
	  This tape might be more siutable for someone who has the SA4D 
      program, and can't make heads or tails of the 3D modeling/animation
      concept.
	The D-Paint III video, for the most part, just cleared up those 
      tutorials in the manual, the ones I tried and messed up when I first
	got the program.
	I enjoyed watching and listening to the creator Dan Dasilva talk
      about the creation of his product as well his reasons for adding
	animation to his latest version.
	The guy who took you through the tutorials however, was a weenie,
      but he got the job done and thats all that really counts.
	For me, these video's cleared up some points and concepts I 
	didn't understand from reading the manual, and there were a couple of
	tricks thrown in.
	Also, there's nothing like watching how it's done to have the lesson
	sink in painlessly.
	But, I expect I'll be sticking to book tutorials, they seem to have
	more content for the price.
	 Of course with arexx, interactive tutorials on disk could be a big +.

	 Both get 4 out of 10 stars for content. (I was interested in seeing
	 SA4D's options)
         Dpaint III gets 5 out of 10 for quality.
	 SA4D gets 3 out of 10 for quality (the picture jumped alot).
         Both rate 3 out of 10 for price/performance.
	
	     Back to you Siskel & Ebert ;')	

								Ed