Learning how to use WAX?

[terrypin]

I installed this impressive free program from Debugmode recently.
http://www.debugmode.com/wax/
Potentially it looks extremely useful for more ambitious effects and transitions than my main programs (like MemoriesOnTV and Womble PEG Wizard) can achieve. But I'm finding learning how to use it very hard going.

The 4 introductory tutorials linked on that same page tell me what to do, rote fashion, for 4 specific effects (of the hundreds possible), with no underlying explanations of the fundamental principles or 'rules' involved. Disappointingly, here at videohelp.com I found only one tutorial, with the same 'do this' approach, and anyway for an effect (snow animation) which I'm sure I could produce by simpler methods.

I've spent a day pressing on with experiment and trial/error, but making very slow progress. It may well be that the application assumes a solid grasp of some things beyond my technical skill level (especially what it calls 'keyframming', presumably 'keyframing'?). If so, I guess that using the many Presets offered might be the best route to follow. But even there, customising always seems necessary, and the slim PDF guide is inadequate.

Maybe there are some users here who can help me out, or point me to more thorough tutorials please?

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

[thecoalman]

and anyway for an effect (snow animation) which I'm sure I could produce by simpler methods.

\

True but it most likely won't look nearly as good. Programs like that utilize the GPU on your graphics card.

(especially what it calls 'keyframming', presumably 'keyframing'?).

I don't use Wax so I can't give you specifics but a keyframe is where you start, end or change an action. For example you have an object on the left, you set a keyframe there. Move in the timeline a few seconds and move the object to the right and set another keyframe. The object will move from left to right in the frames between the keyframes.

Learning how to use any 3-D animation program has a steep learning curve, just keep at it and you'll get the hang of it.

[Bjs]

Its like asking where to start , without knowing all the details involved for a project .

Key frame use isn't complicated , but getting the adjustments correct for smooth motion flow is .
Also taking into account plugins can be stacked to cause a desired effect ... save project often ... or else .

The help files are basic , without full explanation or guidance , but then there's the forum for questions :
http://www.debugmode.com/userforums/ .

I've used it for complicated motion menu's for dvd , blends , and other's , but you learn what triggers wax to crash along the way ... and remember it next time .

My preference is to deal with stripped avi sources , separate video from audio before bringing into wax .

I did write a guide on one of my motion menu's a while back , but never uploaded it only because it was incomplete as to what I had intended to include using alpha's .

It covered the desired outcome , plugins used , timing adjustments related to smooth transitions ... but for a newbie , its not a first choice to start with .

Keyframing under track properties .

Plugins include their own adjustments .

[terrypin]

Thanks for replies so far.

--
Terry, West Sussex, UK

[Bjs]

I'll rip one up for the guides later this week showing where it all is .