Moho Forum

I've been using the Anime Studio 6 Official Guide book to learn version 7 for quite a while because it was the only guide book I could find but now with version 8 it sure would be nice if there was a newer book available. Does anyone know if that's gonna happen or, if it has, where would one get it?

Greg

Good question. I haven't seen an updated training book in a while.

Maybe it's too difficult for the author and publisher to try to keep up with the relatively fast pace of new AS version releases. It's similar with online video tutorials: VTC has not produced any AS tuts since v.5 except for a quickstart for v.6. Nothing for v.7.

Also, after paying the relatively high upgrade cost for the new version how many users will then be willing to spend still more money on a book that will be outdated in a year?

To get a book publish the publisher would need to know how many user base for that version or last year version in order to make a solid investment. Anyone can approach a publisher but they would also look at your background of your involvement with the forum in helping people solve problems. Have somewhat a great fan base for your contribution.

I help a guy connect to a publisher for animation master and in the end result was a great tutorial book that succeeded in the lesson far more than the former provided in the early version. One of the reason I took the extra step in getting the right person for the job. But it was exhausting and tedious beyond expectation, that in retrospect, he would not do that again. But after completing the book he setup a website for future changes. I think that could be marketed. In hindsight that could have been negotiated in webhosting future changes of the program. Otherwise I am not sure if the publisher got a big enough return on the investment.

But if this is your thing, don't be afraid to approach the publisher and make a proposal. I was surprise how willingly the publisher accepted the offer.

Well if I was better with the program it wouldn't be such a big deal but it's tough when I don't have as much time as I'd like to work with it.
Overall the V6 book has worked pretty well for learning V7 but V8 looks to have some pretty cool new features like the character wizard.

I can certainly learn from the PDF manual but like a lot of other programs, it's a pain in the ass unless I'm at my dual monitor system downstairs. Maybe I need a Kindle or iPad for a reader?

Kelly Murdock was the author of those books and he is still very active in writing books. Not sure if he plans on doing anymore ASP books as the only contact point I have for his is his Amazon online discussion board. He doesn't seem to go there at all so its useless.

While a user guide published by an independent party would be nice, don't overlook the Users Manual Smith Micro includes on the program disc. It's actually very thorough with a lot of examples.

The problem for a lot of people may be that the format is PDF. For me, PDF guides are limited while the program is running; they're best suited for searching for answers to specific questions rather than browsing to gain a working knowledge of the program.

Here's the solution: print the PDF at a Kinkos or independent printer, have them drill 3 holes in the printout, and then stick it in a binder. The result is much more readable and accesable when you are actually using the program.

Make no mistake, it will cost some money. I did this for the user guide for AS6, and if memory serves, it cost about $20-30. Still, that the guide was 320 pages long, and it was about the same price as buying a user guide.

Also, there is no rule requiring you to print the whole user guide; you could save money by just printing chapters covering the subjects you need.

I printed mine at home with a cis printer, cost next to nothing to print on these!

You can also get refillable cartridges for most printers and ink is cheap nowdays!

That's where I got mine!

http://cobraink.com/epson1100.htm