Video Tutorials - feedback needed

[CADTutor]

In a constant effort to make CADTutor more useful for beginners to AutoCAD, I've begun adding a series of video tutorials to the site. Initially, there are 3 new tutorials:
AutoCAD 2010: Ribbon Basics (http://www.cadtutor.net/tutorials/autocad/ribbon-basics)
AutoCAD 2010: Starting a Command (http://www.cadtutor.net/tutorials/autocad/starting-a-command)
AutoCAD 2010: Joining Lines, Polylines and Arcs (http://www.cadtutor.net/tutorials/autocad/joining-lines-polylines-and-arcs)

As these are the first video tutorials I have created, it would be really useful to get some feedback from forum members. Are they about the right length? Is the audio level OK? Are they clear enough etc. What suggestions do you have for improving them. My aim is to produce the best AutoCAD video tutorials for CADTutor so any comments would be welcome.

[NBC]

Thanks for those :)
Am glad that they are now on here; I've seen these previously elewhere but that particular site is blocked in a work environment here (as at a lot of companies).
Hope hosting them here doesn't impact too much on bandwidth usage and costs.

I found them to be perfectly fine; and I shall be using them as part of my training tools when the company I work for finally gets around to implementing installs of AutoCAD 2010.

Great work, squire :)

[CADTutor]

Thanks for those :)
Hope hosting them here doesn't impact too much on bandwidth usage and costs.

I'm monitoring that at the moment. The current hosting platform is pretty strong and we currently have plenty of overhead so I'm hopeful that it won't have a major impact.

And BTW, if you have any suggestions for future tutorials, I'd be interested to hear them.

[Lee Mac]

Hi David,

Firstly, excellent video tutorials - some of the clearest I have seen.

I have just finished watching the ribbon tutorial and in terms of feedback... The video quality is superb - I'm not sure what software you have used to record it - but, as I say, extremely clear.

The sound quality is also very clear and the voice-over is crisp. My only criticism is that the tutorial is a bit "slow" in my opinion. Perhaps its unique to the way I learn, but I know next to nothing about the ribbon, and yet I found myself getting the urge to want to skip forward. The topics are explained very well, but in my opinion, I wouldn't dwell too much on each topic, for fear of the viewer losing interest.

That said, its not a major issue.

Lee

[CADTutor]

My only criticism is that the tutorial is a bit "slow" in my opinion. Perhaps its unique to the way I learn, but I know next to nothing about the ribbon, and yet I found myself getting the urge to want to skip forward. The topics are explained very well, but in my opinion, I wouldn't dwell too much on each topic, for fear of the viewer losing interest.

Hmm, I did wonder about that. I used the same pace I use in the classroom, giving students enough time to think and make notes but maybe for a video it needs to be snappier.

[Lee Mac]

As I say, don't just go by me, lets see what others think also :)

[Zorg]

Easy to follow, well paced and thorough throughout. Can't wait to see some more techie stuff! :shock:

[lpseifert]

This is no by no means a complaint, but I thought you'd like to know.
This may be isolated to my computer....
When I run the videos in Firefox I don't get the entire screen; e.g. UL corner includes the Move command (no title bar), LR corner just includes the NW quadrant of the CADTutor logo.
Although when I run them in IE, all seems fine.
I believe I have the latest Flashplayer (10?) installed

[Cad64]

When I run the videos in Firefox I don't get the entire screen

No problem on my machine. IE and Firefox both display the videos just fine.

The video and audio are good, but I agree with Lee. I think they are a bit slow paced. Now maybe it's just me, but I've watched many DVD training videos, and although the narrator usually does a good job of describing what they're talking about, they generally move quickly through each topic because the viewer can always back up and watch the video again and again if they don't get what's being discussed. When videos are too long or too slow paced I generally find myself bumping the timeline to move it along. I think 2 minute videos would be a good length for general topics like the line command. Just keep it short and sweet.

Good job though. I think video tutorials will be an excellent addition to the site. Any thoughts on compiling full length videos for sale, to help pay for the site?

[lpseifert]

No problem on my machine. IE and Firefox both display the videos just fine.

Probably my 'puter then, I wonder why. I'll just view them on IE.

[CADTutor]

When I run the videos in Firefox I don't get the entire screen;

What version of Firefox are you using? It looks OK in the latest version (3.5)


I think video tutorials will be an excellent addition to the site. Any thoughts on compiling full length videos for sale, to help pay for the site?

That kind of goes against the site principles. There are plenty of pay-for solutions out there. I may accept sponsorship from those who produce paid-for content to help finance the site but if I have one guiding principle, it is that all CADTutor content is free.

[lpseifert]

What version of Firefox are you using? It looks OK in the latest version (3.5)

Firefox v 3.0.13. I'll get the latest version and try again.

[Tiger]

Firefox v 3.0.13. I'll get the latest version and try again.

That's weird though, I also have 3.0.13 - and it looks exactly the same in Firefox as in IE :?

[lpseifert]

Firefox v 3.0.13. I'll get the latest version and try again.
I updated to Firefox v 3.5.2, rebooted (new version of Adobe Flash Player was installed) and still get the same results. Still looks fine in IE. Must be something about my machine.

[Lee Mac]

I'm also using Firefox 3.0.13 and thought I had the latest version... what is this 3.5.2 you speak of...?

[LBUG42]

CADtutor it does look great, I also have the problem of not seeing the full screen, but i also wanted to say that the speed is fine i have been helping a friend learn CAD, and when you are just learning you want someone to go slow so they don't miss anything. Thanks for the videos.

[lpseifert]

I'm also using Firefox 3.0.13 and thought I had the latest version... what is this 3.5.2 you speak of...?
Here's where I found it
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/

[CADTutor]

...the speed is fine i have been helping a friend learn CAD, and when you are just learning you want someone to go slow so they don't miss anything.

Yes, it did occur to me that the experts on this forum may not be the best judges of the pace for these tutorials. I'll be testing them with my students in 6 weeks time and that may be a better test since they will not have seen AutoCAD before.

[nukecad]

Im due to upgrade at work soon so have bookmarked this; Im sure it will be very useful.

[Lee Mac]

Yes, it did occur to me that the experts on this forum may not be the best judges of the pace for these tutorials. I'll be testing them with my students in 6 weeks time and that may be a better test since they will not have seen AutoCAD before.

Expert eh... I feel honoured :D

[Lee Mac]

Here's where I found it
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/

Thanks Larry, didn't know about that - just downloading it now :thumbsup:

[StykFacE]

Videos are awesome, David. I have Camtasia, wonder if I could get in on producing videos for general AutoCAD tutorials, as well as AutoCAD MEP stuff?? :oops:

[CADTutor]

Videos are awesome, David. I have Camtasia, wonder if I could get in on producing videos for general AutoCAD tutorials, as well as AutoCAD MEP stuff?? :oops:

Sure. I'm using Camtasia too - really like it but still learning. I'm happy to host any tutorials you create. If you do, I can let you have the settings etc. so that they all look consistent.

[Lee Mac]

Sure. I'm using Camtasia too - really like it but still learning. I'm happy to host any tutorials you create. If you do, I can let you have the settings etc. so that they all look consistent.

I also have Camtasia :)

[CADTutor]

I also have Camtasia :)

Well, what are you waiting for? :wink:

[ReMark]

So far so good. I agree however about the pacing. If it could be a tad quicker that would be a big plus.

I do have a suggestion for a tutorial and it is about a subject that comes up quite often: setting up a metric drawing. It seems even those CAD users from countries that use metric as the defacto standard there is a lot of confusion. I see this as maybe even being a multi-part video.

Like I said...just a suggestion.

I think that overall the videos will be a welcomed addition to the CADTutor website and a feature that will be accessed often. Nice work.

[StykFacE]

Sure. I'm using Camtasia too - really like it but still learning. I'm happy to host any tutorials you create. If you do, I can let you have the settings etc. so that they all look consistent.
Cool, PM me the settings and I will save them. Before I dive into it I'll get with you first to coordinate what I cover in AutoCAD/AMEP and how to "teach" it in the video.

[GE13579]

Hi David,

Just a quick point- I'm not sure about 2010 Mechanical but certainly 2009 Mechanical doesn't feature the ribbon (the only vertical that doesn't in '09 as far as I'm aware?). You might want to mention this at the start? (I'm not even sure if you do or not as I can't up the volume here).

Gary

[Lee Mac]

Just been browsing the AutoCAD Intermediate 2D Concepts from Apex...

I've gotta say, they are a great addition to the site - very well explained and very clear. I still think they are also a bit slow at times - but again, I think thats me. o:)