Re: [Inkscape-devel] User Help (tutorials)

Had to help save a baby squirrel tonight, but did manage to make some progress despite the time-sink. Based on the feedback, here are some changes to the animation (no sound just yet though). http://www.opendesignstudio.org/inkscape/samples/inkscape_intro_animation... Enjoy. -C On Tue, Sep 1, 2015 at 5:59 PM, C R <cajhne@...400...> wrote: > For those who have not seen Google's tremendously handy open font > library, you view/download it here: > https://www.google.com/fonts > > > On Tue, Sep 1, 2015 at 5:55 PM, C R <cajhne@...400...> wrote: > >> I'd rather use libre fonts where possible. Something that comes with a >> SIL, Apache, or cc0 font license/rights waiver. >> I don't want anything with attribution requirements. All materials, imho >> should be libre so people are free and protected against other people suing >> them for helping the Inkscape project. There is a true wealth of excellent >> scripty fonts, and Roman-Caps serif fonts. I'll pick the closest matches >> and maybe we can vote on it or something. :) If someone has a reason for >> really wanting to use proprietary fonts, artwork, etc. for branding I >> can... but I'd like to avoid it if at all possible. >> >> -C >> >> On Tue, Sep 1, 2015 at 4:18 PM, Josh Andler <scislac@...400...> wrote: >> >>> Per Jabier's reply, the branding folder contains a file that has the >>> proper branding for the text elements. They're vector, so it should be >>> easy to work with. Obviously the newer logo is what should be used >>> (which you're already doing). >>> >>> I don't recall what font was used for INKSCAPE, but it was a Pushkin >>> font that was used for Draw Freely. >>> http://www.paratype.com/pstore/fonts/pushkin.htm It was created by >>> someone with a license for the font, but it does raise the question >>> about how we feel about proprietary stuff used for our brand. >>> >>> Cheers, >>> Josh >>> >>> >>> On Mon, Aug 31, 2015 at 11:35 PM, C R <cajhne@...400...> wrote: >>> > Thanks! >>> > And Yes, though there doesn't seem to be a consistent style for >>> writing >>> > "Draw Freely". >>> > >>> > This leaves me with some options: >>> > >>> > 1. I could choose a version I like from the website (my favorite is >>> the one >>> > accompanying the vector Bird graphic). Is there a vector asset for >>> this? I >>> > could trace it from the graphic, but this is more work. >>> > >>> > 2. I could write it myself, since I have decent handwriting. If like >>> to do >>> > it in Inkscape with my Wacom tablet, however it seems that pressure >>> > sensitivity is broken in my version of Inkscape for the time being. >>> > >>> > 3. I could ask if there it already a repo for Inkscape branding >>> stuff, and >>> > if there isn't, start one. :) >>> > >>> > Any thoughts? >>> > >>> > Is the font used in INKSCAPE title an open font? If not, I'm tempted >>> to raid >>> > Google's web fonts for a Libre alternative. >>> > >>> > -C >>> > >>> > On 1 Sep 2015 1:30 am, "Josh Andler" <scislac@...400...> wrote: >>> >> >>> >> Looks great so far! I assume you know already (by your description), >>> >> but the assets for "Inkscape" and "Draw Freely" from the about screen >>> >> should be used to keep the branding consistent. Looking forward to >>> >> seeing the next iteration! >>> >> >>> >> Cheers, >>> >> Josh >>> >> >>> >> On Mon, Aug 31, 2015 at 2:21 PM, C R <cajhne@...400...> wrote: >>> >> > Quick video template update (to keep bullshit from walking ;) ) >>> >> > I've almost completed the intro animation, but got bogged down >>> with some >>> >> > emergency charity work that a friend required last-minute. >>> >> > I wanted to add in the sound effects, which I've recorded myself, >>> but >>> >> > ran >>> >> > out of time tonight. >>> >> > However, here is a quick wip sample for your Monday night >>> amusement: >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> www.opendesignstudio.org/inkscape/samples/inkscape_intro_animation_wip.ogv >>> >> > >>> >> > The title "INKSCAPE" will fade in underneath and "Draw Freely" >>> will be >>> >> > scribbled in underneath it as last additions. >>> >> > >>> >> > Thanks for the patience. Hope everyone's collective weekend has >>> been a >>> >> > pleasant one. :) >>> >> > >>> >> > More soon. >>> >> > >>> >> > -C >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > On Fri, Aug 28, 2015 at 10:31 AM, C R <cajhne@...400...> wrote: >>> >> >> >>> >> >> PS- Speaking of crowd-funding, be sure to visit Synfig Open Source >>> >> >> Animation Studio's crowdfunding campaign and show them some love! >>> :) >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/synfig-free-animation-software#/story >>> >> >> >>> >> >> On Fri, Aug 28, 2015 at 9:39 AM, C R <cajhne@...400...> wrote: >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> So I'm getting late to this discussion. I guess it sounds like >>> >> >>>> people >>> >> >>>> are >>> >> >>>> ready to do this! >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> This will be an ongoing project, so input is great at any stage. >>> >> >>> You're >>> >> >>> not late either, it's early times still. :) >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> (sorry, kind of long) >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> Also never a problem. More information is better! >>> >> >>> Welcome to the discussion, and thanks for your advise! >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> I'm of the opinion that there is no lack of tutorials in the >>> Inkscape >>> >> >>>> community. I've done some both intensive and extensive >>> searching for >>> >> >>>> Inkscape tutorials, to compile a centralized source of >>> tutorials, for >>> >> >>>> the >>> >> >>>> community (something I saw lacking in the community, and wanted >>> to >>> >> >>>> provide). >>> >> >>>> http://forum.inkscapecommunity.com/index.php >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> Thanks for the link, and for your work collecting and vetting >>> these >>> >> >>> resources! :) I'll have a look through these, I'm sure they will >>> be >>> >> >>> quite >>> >> >>> useful not only in determining the best way to proceed, but in >>> terms >>> >> >>> of >>> >> >>> information content and possible linking from the finished >>> >> >>> documentation >>> >> >>> (pending approval from the parties that made them). It may also >>> be >>> >> >>> good to >>> >> >>> have two video sections that link off the main Inkscape.org >>> website, >>> >> >>> one to >>> >> >>> a set of official tutorials, and the other to the growing set of >>> >> >>> excellent >>> >> >>> community-done resources. >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> For the tool feature videos, it would be useful to have small >>> official >>> >> >>> videos to accompany the documentation. I find that it's quite a >>> matter >>> >> >>> of >>> >> >>> preference which people prefer (written or video tutorial). Even >>> my >>> >> >>> own >>> >> >>> preference changes depending on my moods, so having both >>> available is >>> >> >>> no bad >>> >> >>> thing. >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> Official videos have manifold purpose: >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> -They provide concise context-relevant information that we can >>> include >>> >> >>> alongside the documentation for Inkscape. This saves time having >>> to >>> >> >>> google >>> >> >>> for videos of the information at hand, so more time can be spent >>> >> >>> learning in >>> >> >>> a streamlined way, that it may not be possible to get from even >>> a list >>> >> >>> of >>> >> >>> several thousand user-contributed videos. There will be a lot of >>> >> >>> repeating >>> >> >>> concepts that are covered in user-videos, but there will also be >>> be a >>> >> >>> lot of >>> >> >>> gap-filling as well. >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> -They provide more content-rich inkscape.org, which adds to the >>> >> >>> professional image of the project, and is important for trust and >>> >> >>> provides a >>> >> >>> nicer experience for new users. I've lost count how many times >>> people >>> >> >>> posting on the forums have been told to "google it" (even though >>> I >>> >> >>> reached >>> >> >>> these comments BY Googling!). Why should they have to google it? >>> Users >>> >> >>> can >>> >> >>> spend more time learning, and less time reading what other users >>> think >>> >> >>> about >>> >> >>> their issue on forums (that's time saved in hours across possibly >>> >> >>> hundreds >>> >> >>> of comments). We are in the unique position to provide an >>> answer, on >>> >> >>> the >>> >> >>> spot, that is guaranteed to be the correct one. :) >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> -They are a resource under the project's control. One of the >>> >> >>> criticisms >>> >> >>> that our open source community faces is that information is >>> >> >>> scatter-shot, >>> >> >>> and you may not be able to find resources, or links may be >>> broken to >>> >> >>> the >>> >> >>> original content, or the content may only be available in some >>> >> >>> countries. >>> >> >>> Having control over our content ensures we can reach the most >>> people. >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> -They give us another opportunity to connect with more users. >>> This is >>> >> >>> important not only for development purposes, but also for social >>> media >>> >> >>> campaigns for development acceleration, appearing at graphics >>> >> >>> conventions, >>> >> >>> etc. (I do all my convention-booth graphics in Inkscape, btw. So >>> >> >>> thanks >>> >> >>> again to all the Inkscape devs for making life easy for me!) >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> -It enhances the public image of Inkscape as a professional >>> resource >>> >> >>> for >>> >> >>> serious designers. Great-looking well-thought out videos are a >>> must >>> >> >>> for a >>> >> >>> project like Inkscape! :) Every video serves as yet one one more >>> >> >>> advertisement for the Inkscape project. The more of them there >>> are, >>> >> >>> the more >>> >> >>> eyes are likely to see them. We can capture search keywords as >>> well >>> >> >>> with >>> >> >>> each video, gaining the project more exposure. >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> -It provides an opportunity for us to teach best practices for >>> >> >>> professional design workflows, as well as educate new users, and >>> ease >>> >> >>> the >>> >> >>> transition from commercial software packages. (If you Like >>> >> >>> Illustrator, >>> >> >>> you're going to LOVE Inkscape!) :D >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> So I'm bewildered with complaints of people not being able to >>> find >>> >> >>>> tutorials. I did that all with my handy internet search engine. >>> >> >>>> Nothing >>> >> >>>> fancy, I can assure you! I wonder if maybe those folks just >>> have not >>> >> >>>> ventured outside of DA, in their search? >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> Or their search terms didn't turn up any relevant videos. One of >>> the >>> >> >>> problems with video content is if you are looking for something >>> very >>> >> >>> specific, you may have to hunt through lots of complete >>> tutorials, >>> >> >>> hoping >>> >> >>> they cover the thing you want to know. This problem is solved >>> more >>> >> >>> easily >>> >> >>> with feature-focused videos, accompanied by all relevant >>> keywords. The >>> >> >>> inkscape.org website should also contain a search box to search >>> these >>> >> >>> keywords in our own collection of official videos. I also >>> recommend an >>> >> >>> expandable tree-style map of our videos providing a way to click >>> down >>> >> >>> and >>> >> >>> feel out what you are searching for (handy if you don't know >>> what a >>> >> >>> feature >>> >> >>> is named). >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> For example, a piece of the tree could go: >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> +Tools >>> >> >>> -Select and Transform Tool >>> >> >>> -Edit Paths By Nodes Tool >>> >> >>> +Tweak Objects Tool >>> >> >>> - Tool Overview >>> >> >>> - Using Different Modes >>> >> >>> - Width, Force, and Fidelity - Getting the effects you want >>> >> >>> + FAQ / Troubleshooting >>> >> >>> - Why does the rest of my shape turn into a glob? >>> >> >>> - It's only working on some objects, but not others >>> >> >>> - etc. >>> >> >>> -Zoom Tool >>> >> >>> -Measurement Tool >>> >> >>> -Rectangle/Square Tool >>> >> >>> -etc. >>> >> >>> -Working with Shapes >>> >> >>> -Working with Layers >>> >> >>> -Working with Groups >>> >> >>> -Selecting >>> >> >>> -Filters >>> >> >>> -Exporting >>> >> >>> +Using Colours >>> >> >>> -What is a colour space? >>> >> >>> -What is a colour system? >>> >> >>> +FAQ / Troubleshooting >>> >> >>> -My printer wants an Illustrator (.ai) file, arrrgh! >>> >> >>> -My greens are looking too Blue in print >>> >> >>> -My blacks are too grey in print >>> >> >>> +What should I use for my project? >>> >> >>> +Can Inkscape use PANTONE colours? >>> >> >>> -Pre-Press Considerations >>> >> >>> -etc. etc. >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> Note that only certain branches of the tree need videos. Others >>> could >>> >> >>> have a quick animated gif with a text explanation. It's >>> important to >>> >> >>> include >>> >> >>> all the written and video materials together, so visitors do not >>> have >>> >> >>> to >>> >> >>> visit different sections of the website to find the information >>> they >>> >> >>> are >>> >> >>> after. >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> Nevertheless, I do think it's important that there are >>> "official" >>> >> >>>> tutorials. >>> >> >>>> There was some talk a few months ago about building a >>> Documentation >>> >> >>>> team, >>> >> >>>> and I would certainly look forward to participating in such a >>> group >>> >> >>>> (although iirc, it was only going to happen when someone had >>> more >>> >> >>>> time.....I >>> >> >>>> don't remember the exact details anymore). >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> I would be happy to assist the Documentation team. >>> >> >>> I would be equally happy to help assemble it if those involved >>> >> >>> previously >>> >> >>> do not presently have the time. >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>>> I think more *official* tutorials are needed, than the 6 or so >>> >> >>>> currently >>> >> >>>> available. But I have serious reservations about video >>> tutorials >>> >> >>>> with >>> >> >>>> music >>> >> >>>> background and no narration. I have never seen such a video >>> that I >>> >> >>>> found >>> >> >>>> was helpful, in my opinion. >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> There will be narration, it will just be textual, step-by-step, >>> rather >>> >> >>> than voiced over. >>> >> >>> There is nothing preventing people from adding voice overs, but >>> I'd >>> >> >>> like >>> >> >>> to start cranking out as many of these videos as possible, and >>> I'm not >>> >> >>> convinced my voice would be pleasing enough. :) >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> (You may notice there are probably less than 5 >>> >> >>>> YouTube vids on my page. It's because I haven't found many >>> >> >>>> worthwhile, >>> >> >>>> that >>> >> >>>> aren't connected to a proprietary venture.) >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> Yes, control over the videos is a key benefit of doing them >>> ourselves. >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> Videos from the Screencasters (heathenx/Richard Querrin) series >>> are >>> >> >>>> still >>> >> >>>> the best video tutorials around, imo (even though now somewhat >>> >> >>>> dated). >>> >> >>>> I >>> >> >>>> think they represent the standard we should strive for, if >>> there is >>> >> >>>> some >>> >> >>>> consensus that video tutorials are needed more that text >>> tutorials. >>> >> >>>> Although I haven't seen any indication of a need for video >>> tutorials, >>> >> >>>> more >>> >> >>>> than text. It's just trendy, afaict. >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> For the longer videos, I'd agree, but for feature documentation >>> >> >>> videos, >>> >> >>> we will need more concise and much shorter videos with less >>> banter, >>> >> >>> and none >>> >> >>> of the "subscribe, rate, etc." stuff. :) >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> That sounds like a cute idea for an intro to the tutorials >>> (the >>> >> >>> bouncing >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> bubbles, etc.), but honestly, that's the fun part of making >>> >> >>>> tutorials. >>> >> >>>> Has >>> >> >>>> anyone volunteered to make the actual tutorial part of the >>> videos? >>> >> >>>> (I >>> >> >>>> haven't finished with reading the whole thread yet.) >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> I'm volunteering for both at this point, but once we have the kit >>> >> >>> (which >>> >> >>> includes the finished intro/outro, and caption overlay), it will >>> be >>> >> >>> easier >>> >> >>> to enlist others to help with the tutorial parts >>> (screen-captures, and >>> >> >>> captioning). >>> >> >>> It may sound fun and trivial, but the intro, format and >>> templates are >>> >> >>> the >>> >> >>> ground-work for a professional video series. They will make the >>> >> >>> tutorial >>> >> >>> content consistent, and MUCH easier to do. The point of these >>> initial >>> >> >>> steps >>> >> >>> is to produce a kit that we can use to make quick, professional >>> >> >>> looking >>> >> >>> videos with Inkscape branding. While I will have the initial >>> sample >>> >> >>> completed this weekend, I suspect we will change it a bit based >>> on >>> >> >>> feedback. >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> Thanks for listening, >>> >> >>>> brynn >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> Thanks for your input and thoughts! They help tremendously. >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> -C >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>> >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> -------------------------------------------------- >>> >> >>>> From: "Martin Owens" <doctormo@...400...> >>> >> >>>> Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2015 7:53 AM >>> >> >>>> To: "Inkscape Devel List" <inkscape-devel(a)lists.sourceforge.net >>> > >>> >> >>>> Subject: [Inkscape-devel] User Help (tutorials) >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> > >>> >> >>>> > >>> >> >>>> > >>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> >> >>>> > >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> > _______________________________________________ >>> >> >>>> > Inkscape-devel mailing list >>> >> >>>> > Inkscape-devel(a)lists.sourceforge.net >>> >> >>>> > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/inkscape-devel >>> >> >>>> > >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> >>> >> >>>> >>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> >> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>> >> >>>> Inkscape-devel mailing list >>> >> >>>> Inkscape-devel(a)lists.sourceforge.net >>> >> >>>> https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/inkscape-devel >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> >> > >>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >>> >> > >>> >> > _______________________________________________ >>> >> > Inkscape-devel mailing list >>> >> > Inkscape-devel(a)lists.sourceforge.net >>> >> > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/inkscape-devel >>> >> > >>> >> >> >