Book

Ok, I have decided to attempt to write a manual of a sorts for KoolMoves over this holiday season. Kind of a on-line book, but in order to do this I would like some assistance. Johnie, CoolMoves, Richard, Bob, everyone, if everyone contributes a section to this book, then it could be very informative.

Basically I would like People to write on there experiences, what you have learned, this isn't going to be a replacement for the KoolMoves help files, maybe an add-on eventually, but we shall see. Please respond on this thread if you would like to help write a section.

Thank you

Brad

Sounds interesting Brad. What format, style, and approach did you and others have in mind?

Interestingly enoughBrad, I am engage in a simular project. Right now I'm working in Word with it.

I am working from the perspective of a complete animation manual covering basic animation skills and working the software into it.

Perhaps some collaboration, you do some, I do some. You have the basic idea I had, considering the fact that KoolMoves seems to be more on the side of animation then anything else, it seems smart to cover the basics of animation with the software.

Brad

OK

What do you have so far? Wait meet me in the KoolKit chat room, much more communicative then this....

Brad

Never mind, it keeps kicking me off, what do you have so far? Should we both write the sections, and then some how combine the two?

Brad

This is a very cool project. I wish that I were far enough along in learning animation and KoolMoves to help, but I think you guys are way beyond me. But if you can think of a way for me to help, I'd be glad to.

Do you have WORD? Perhaps you could be the "organizer" we give you everything and you organize it into chapters. Though I don't think you are that limited in your knowledge of the program. You should give yourself some more credit.

Brad

I have the very beginnings of an drawing book going Brad.

I'll send you some of it this week.

OK

I have Word on an older computer, Word 95 I think. I only have Microsoft Works on this one and I think it sucks.

Star Office will be able to read Word files.

As soon as I see what you(johnie) have, I will see what I should add, or write, whatever and then if evolbeagle can orgranize it send it to him? Then we will go from there, I want a complete manual, with animation basics, advanced animation techniques, and intergrate these two with the KoolMoves software. I have started some preliminary writings, but no chapters yet:)

Brad

I downloaded Star Office a while back, so that'll work then. As a user of KM and beginning animator, I'm really looking forward to this manual.

glad you like the idea, I am going to work on it a little tonight, as well as do an update of KoolKit

Brad

Well if you checked you will notice I didn't update KoolKit, but I did get a lot done on the book, have the introduction and brief writings of the first two chapters. So I WILL update KoolKit tonight:)

Brad

To throw this in, KoolMoves help is Microsoft HTML Help because the help files are just html files and associated .gifs that are compiled via the Microsoft application.

Just wanted to let you guys know I'm still in for helping with this manual in what ever way I can. I haven't been checking the forum as much this week because of three huge projects I'm trying to finish before the holidays. That pattern will probably continue for the next week or so. So if you need a quick response on the project, please email me; I'll get it sooner.

Johnie-

Two questions-

1.Hows the intro for the KoolKit site?

2.email me what you have created for the book??????


Thanks

Brad

1. I lost the intro from my computer when it died and I am parsing SWF's to retrieve the bitmapped info.

2. Okay! I get it to you tonight.

You probably have all the help you need, and I am just a beginner in KoolMoves, but will be glad to help if I can

Maggee

Maggee-

We would love to have help. Ok this is the idea of organization, loose, I like to organize-

Johnie-you and I(and richard if he has the time??) can work on the animation part of the book, covering the basics of animation in general and relating them to KoolMoves
Johnie-right now I am working on terms(tweening, frames) of animation, have you done this already?


Evolbeagle-organizes the sections, I will get some info to you, so you can start maybe working on a contents page. What text style do we want to work in Johnie, New York times, Arial?


Maggee, could you work on making some written out tutorials, of the tutorials that are on-line now, in word of course or Star Office what ever you have that is translateable with word 2000. Also if you have any ideas what you would like to contribute please, say something, do it, whatever the more stuff in this book, the better.

I have actually been looking into publishing this, gotten a few quotes on prices, don't know how many I would produce.
I was thinking produce it for on-line viewing via the KoolKit site. And then after 2.0 publish it on paper with some additions, maybe with Bob's...etc..help. Opinions??

Thanks
Brad

No, I'm working on Storyline, Usability, Story boarding, Formats (Raster and Vector), and Using the different views in Kool Moves.

Sure can....and I have Word 2000.

Will start tonight...providing I have my computer. We are expecting a snowstorm and I always get snowed in and sometimes lose power for a day or so. So keep your fingers crossed for me. Too bad Santa doesnt have more money, he could bring me a laptop, lol.

Maggee

Cool Maggee, whatever you get done, email to me, I will proofread(no offense:) ) then send to evolbeagle. Cool?

Brad

Oh and send me a laptop too!!
[Edited by BradBradleySL on 12-10-2000 at 05:26 PM]

wow! The book sounds very interesting and an online book would be of great help.

I wish that I knew more about Koolmoves myself to contribute to this effort. Sounds real good though and I for one will be very appreciative. Can't Wait To See It!

DJoy

Quote:

---

Originally posted by BradBradleySL
Cool Maggee, whatever you get done, email to me, I will proofread(no offense:) ) then send to evolbeagle. Cool?

Brad

Oh and send me a laptop too!!
[Edited by BradBradleySL on 12-10-2000 at 05:26 PM]

---

Yes, cool :)And no offense taken ( even though I am the unofficial spell checker for a tech chat site, lol)

Maggee

I wasnt able to start on this last night...and getting ready to work on it as I type. But I have a question (or 4)....You asked that I make some written out tutorials of the tutorials that are on-line now...so does that include ANY tutorials I can find? And does it include the tutorials on KoolMoves site? And do you want text only? Some tutorials have images, so do you want those "translated" into text?

A lot of questions, I know...but want to make sure I am doing it the way you want it.


Maggee

No not the ones on the KoolMoves site, only the ones on the KoolKit site. And as for the pics, download the tutorial development kit and use the images from that related to the flash tutorial.

Brad

Wow, StarOffice was a huge download! How big does it get when it is installed? Do I need to buy a 2nd or 3rd hard drive? Anyway, there's lots of work with other aspects of KoolMoves right now, but I going to try to find some time for this great project too. Good Luck every one!

Brad and others, I would suggest that we don't get into anything overly technical in this project becuase of Bobs anouncement that he is adding Bones.

And yes I am horrible becuase I haven't submitted any work yet- sorry about that I've been going crazy with a database design.

The good news is that I did find some FS Command stuff that is real interesting.

Timing on bones:

I am working on the next version which will address scaling bitmaps, bitmap transparency, rotation problem, frame seconds displayed, a move bug Richard discovered, and possibly button hit area. This will take between about 2 weeks to finish. After that I will start working on bones parttime and it will take at least a month. I am also pursuing swt file output and MP3.

Johnie-

I don't think you have sent me what you have done thus far with the book. Have you had time? I know I have been busy.

Brad

haven't had time... I am also revising what I wrote- trust me this is a good thing.