35 replies to this topic

[Psmith]

As you might have discovered, 3D-Coat is constantly changing and improving - as Andrew likes to keep it alive and growing. It keeps us on our toes, as well.

So, to keep "in sync" with Andrew and with 3D-Coat, the manual must remain as living as the application. Also, as time goes by, interface lingo and layout are changing, at the same time.

Now, those who want to stay current can do so by looking here.

I'll post a Manual Update, here, as often as is practical, complete with all new Video Links, courtesy of the "The Candy-Foss Kid".



Greg Smith

[Psmith]

These Manual and .xml changes are current, through the 29th of February, 2012.

It's getting too big to upload here, so now, the link will be here:

Manual Update February 29th, 2012



Greg Smith

[Tom K]

I would imagine it could be very confusing to a new user not knowing the names have been changed to see something in the manual that doesn't match what they see on the screen.
Here are some things I noticed that need to be changed:
The brushes used to be called pens but there are still references to pens.
In the preferences panel there is a section that deals with brushes but sometimes calls them pens.
Hide pens with cap lock
Show pen shape curve
Show pen alpha texture
The next four items use the word brush, yet if you hover your mouse for the help text, it says pen.
then it has:
message above pen
message below pen



Tom

[Psmith]

Thanks Tom. This is exactly the kind of assistance we can use. I've uploaded a corrected version of the "English.xml" file in place of the old one. So, feel free to find more errata, and be sure to download the corrected version.


Greg Smith

[Tom K]

The word "Transparency" on the top of the screen in paint room really needs to be called "opacity".
The 100% percent value doesn't correspond to 100% transparency. it corresponds to opacity. this would also make it match the terminology used in the layer panel where the same thing is called opacity.

Also, the help tip that pops up for the transparency adjustment doesn't look right. It says " select a mask for applying color or depth"

Tom

[Psmith]

Tom:

I only have access to the "English.xml" file, where most of the interface text is found. I can't find this one, or I'd have changed it long ago. I think it is "hard-coded" somewhere else.

I've written Andrew about this, but . . .

If you have access to an XML editor, feel free to find it, test it, (by selecting "Help/Languages/English", while in 3D-Coat - selecting your changed "English.xml" file. If it works, let me know.



Greg Smith

[VolumesculptR]

Nice thread
But I always thought that 3DCoat wiki-manual should be the most up-to-date source (besides Andrew's news on Twitter, or in updates thread in the forum), but - Nope (at least we have such a possibility to fill in 3DCoat wiki manual in future).

Thanks for you excellent job!

PS. I`m not sure - Greg, are you the author of 3DCoat pdf layout?
As I would like to have a template somewhere in the place (for futher translation work).
(Excuse me for bothering...)

[Psmith]

Currently, I'm the guy doing the English updates for the manual. I didn't author the document you have mentioned.

The original English 3D-Coat manual was authored in Adobe InDesign - and was extremely convoluted and difficult to modify. After much discussion, Andrew allowed me to use the general scheme for the manual, but also to use a different software app, (a much simpler and cheaper one), to do these updates.

I don't really know the state of the manual for the other languages. My suggestion is to try and keep all language versions closely related and, if possible, to use the same authoring software. But, this is up to Andrew to determine.

For your information, I am currently using Serif PagePlus X5 for my manual contributions. I can't speak highly enough of this app, its cost and its ease of use. Absolutely sufficient for this type of work.


Greg Smith

[VolumesculptR]

I see, Thanks (and sorry for hijacking the topic with my suggestions about the manual )
And what do you think about wiki-manual as 'up-to-date thing for dynamic 3DCoat manual' ?
Just wondering... I thought wiki was made for this (but not used to be used as supposed) may be for now?

[Psmith]

I'm all for the wiki containing any and all helpful and current information about 3D-Coat. It's just a community effort and not necessarily monitored or regulated or even, necessarily, right about what it teaches.

The manual, on the other hand, tries to reflect more official kinds of information and practice - not necessarily the only ones.

And, for my part, I'm always open to correction and improvement of the text.


Greg Smith

[IKHandel]

Am Getting an error about a corrupt pdf file when I try to download...

Could someone confirm the pdf file is ok, so I know if the problem is at my end....Thanks

IK

[polyxo]

Hi Greg,
I have one small request: Could you please keep the resulting pdf layered?
So that one can switch off the grey mask for printing like in the old manual.

thanks!

[philnolan3d]

Am Getting an error about a corrupt pdf file when I try to download...

Could someone confirm the pdf file is ok, so I know if the problem is at my end....Thanks

IK

No problem with it here. Also 190 people have downloaded it I think someone else would have mentioned it if there was something wrong.

[Psmith]

Polyxo:

It is layered and you can turn the background off - I just downloaded and checked.

I do believe, however, that you must use a "bona fide" .pdf reader like Acrobat, for the layers to work. I don't think that Adobe Digital Editions, for example, is compatible with layers.


Greg Smith

[IKHandel]

ok thanks for replies... Problem was at my end in firefox prefs.. Sorted now!

Nice work by the way, very slick!

IK

[polyxo]

Polyxo:

It is layered and you can turn the background off - I just downloaded and checked.

I do believe, however, that you must use a "bona fide" .pdf reader like Acrobat, for the layers to work. I don't think that Adobe Digital Editions, for example, is compatible with layers.


Greg Smith

No problem, I have Acrobat.
Btw. I just did a Brochure with Indesign. It is so economic to work with - I can not believe that I spent 10 years with other DTP Software.
Just sayin...

[Psmith]

Polyxo:

InDesign, if used properly, can be very economical and useful - but the original authors of the manual didn't use it in an economical way.

Also, I didn't have the extra cash laying around to buy this overpriced Adobe Product.

So, there you have it.


Greg Smith

[Voxelman]

These Manual and .xml changes are current, through the 9th of February, 2011.

Phil's Video Links are delayed.


Greg Smith

Thanks Greg. Just downloaded it.

[planaria]

is there no possibility to compile this in a wiki rather then pdf? pdf's always load slowly for me and usually end up being quite buggy.

im only mentioning it because it seems like a really great resource, but honestly the fact that its pdf makes it frustrating for certain people to use.

either way thanks for the effort!

[philnolan3d]

3DC already has a Wiki you can get to it by clicking "manual" on the main 3DC website:
http://www.3d-coat.c....php/Doc:Manual