FCS3 WORST documentation I’ve ever experienced!

[Chris Poisson]

Steve,

How in the world is a PDF file not “green?” It would take Apple a few minutes to make a PDF which is a totally reasonable expectation of a company that’s charging 300 bucks for yet another costly upgrade. How would that damage their carbon footprint?

Have a wonderful day.

[Neil Sadwelkar]

But, to be fair, having the manual online means it is completely updated all the time. And Apple can add chapters, explanations, update features as they’re added etc. And we don’t have to have outdated manuals on our systems.

By the way, is there a help menu in FCP 7? Does that not take you to a pdf any more?

———————————–
Neil Sadwelkar
neilsadwelkar.blogspot.com
twitter: fcpguru
FCP Editor, Edit systems consultant
Mumbai India

[Craig Seeman]

[Neil Sadwelkar] “But, to be fair, having the manual online means it is completely updated all the time.”

I have no problem with a manual being online.

[Neil Sadwelkar] “By the way, is there a help menu in FCP 7? Does that not take you to a pdf any more? “
The help menu takes you to a manual which is part of the package which is HTML. There is no PDF manual. There is no manual other than the help menu. You have to open FCP to read it. Otherwise you can go to Apple’s page and read that.

No separate manual file,
no PDF.
There are no page numbers at all so searches don’t link to any. Just “probability” results.
There are no pages that show up on a sidebar as one has in a PDF.
There are no highlighted words one would see on a page with a keyword PDF search.
The pages are often filed with disclosure triangles to read the text.
There is no index.

I’ll do a post with with screenshots

[Craig Seeman]

Manual Page

Search with no clear page links or words highlighted on a page. I was searching for tab with the hope I would find out how to color code the tabs (a new feature).

Page no page number. Must use disclosure triangles to read text. No words highlighted from search.
I can’t show you the index because it doesn’t exist. The manual only exist in the opened FC program or by going to the Apple Support Web Page. No separate manual. No PDF.

[Ben Holmes]

Totally crummy.

I’m not suprised however – the pdf was generated from the print version, which no longer exists, so there’s no ‘need’ for Apple to layout the manual, generate nice useful illustrations etc.

On the flipside, you just saved $300. You could always spend a little on a paper manual from a third party. My guess is that Apple reckon many more users are updaters, who just read the ‘what’s new’ and move on. I don’t think I’ve ever taken my manuals for FCS out of the box – although I have read the odd page on the help menu.

As FCS support had now been rolled into OSX help, the real complaint should be “OSX help and search is really crap” – I never manage to find useful help on ANY app or OSX on it…

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer

https://www.blackmagic-design.com/casestudies/detail.asp?case=therydercup

[Alan Okey]

[Neil Sadwelkar] “By the way, is there a help menu in FCP 7? Does that not take you to a pdf any more? “

Nope. That’s what the fuss is about.

What if an editor is cutting on a laptop in the field where there’s no Internet connection and he or she needs to read up on a tool or feature? Screwed, that’s what.

I think this is really shortsighted of Apple, and I’ll be surprised if the situation doesn’t get rectified inside of 6 moths from now. They must be getting hammered with complaints. If not, they soon will be.

[Matt Callac]

[Dave LaRonde] “.you will find the following words: “View Help PDF( 44MB)”. It can also be downloaded. So quit your crabbing.

Dave LaRonde
Sr. Promotion Producer”

Holy crap dave, you’re like my personal hero…for at least a day or so. thanks. for the tip.
-mattyc

[Craig Seeman]

I thought I posted this earlier, maybe not. There is NO PDF DOWNLOAD despite what it says. It’s yet another inaccuracy.
The ONLY online documentation is this
https://documentation.apple.com/
You can not download it. It is not in PDF form.

[Mike Johnson]

I know this thread has been dead for almost a year, but I just now upgraded to FCS 3 and got bit by this pathetic documentation. I called Apple directly and was provided with this link:

https://support.apple.com/manuals/#professionalsoftware

I figured I’d go ahead and post it, in case other people stumble on this thread.

[David Roth weiss]

Mike,

There are over 1-million FCP users worldwide, and hundreds of thousands of others have been there, done that, and posted solutions long ago.

A simple search of this forum or Google would have saved you much time and grief.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

EPK Colorist – UP IN THE AIR – nominated for six academy awards

A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.