Difference between revisions of "User:Torley Linden/Vidtut process"

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{{Multi-lang}}  
{{Help|Multimedia=*}}  


How my video tutorials reach the world. A behind-the-scenes glimpse at the step-by-steps:
The following is kinda technical — looking for easier help? '''[[Movie_help|See Torley's Guide to Making Movies!]]'''
 
How my video tutorials reach the world. Note that <font color="red">'''some of this is deprecated as of 2008-09-24'''</font>, and a future revised process may be forthcoming. A behind-the-scenes glimpse at the step-by-steps:


== Capture ==
== Capture ==
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* Drag-and-drop movie clips on master video track. Trim ends and crossfade into each other as desired.
* Drag-and-drop movie clips on master video track. Trim ends and crossfade into each other as desired.
* Drag movie clips on [http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/products/soundforgefamily.asp Sony Sound Forge], use Batch Converter to export "(MASTER)" versions in stereo.
* Drop the WAVS back into Vegas in the "MASTER" voiceover track, in-sync with the video. This may be replaced by a live audio processing plugin chain soon.


* Move around ending bumper to fit.
* Move around ending bumper to fit.
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[[Image:Vidtut-encode.png|256px]]
[[Image:Vidtut-encode.png|256px]]


== Upload to [http://tubemogul.com TubeMogul] ==
== Publishing ==
=== Upload to [http://tubemogul.com TubeMogul] ===
TubeMogul's a timesaving video batch-uploader: with one upload, your video gets distributed to [http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=Torley YouTube], [http://lindenlab.blip.tv/ blip.tv], and about a dozen others.
TubeMogul's a timesaving video batch-uploader: with one upload, your video gets distributed to [http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=Torley YouTube], [http://lindenlab.blip.tv/ blip.tv], and about a dozen others.


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* On YouTube, update the "[http://youtube.com/view_play_list?p=CB0477BF7641F5EA Second Life Video Tutorials]" playlist, reprioritizing the new addition as "1" so it shows up on top.
* On YouTube, update the "[http://youtube.com/view_play_list?p=CB0477BF7641F5EA Second Life Video Tutorials]" playlist, reprioritizing the new addition as "1" so it shows up on top.


== Upload to [http://vidtuts.s3.amazonaws.com/ Amazon S3] ==
=== Upload to [http://vidtuts.s3.amazonaws.com/ Amazon S3] ===
These are the high-quality downloadable versions.
These are the high-quality downloadable versions.


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* Right-click the "vidtuts" folder, select "Edit ACL", enable Read for all (green checkmarks), check "Apply to subfolders" (useful for multiple vidtut uploads), then click "OK".
* Right-click the "vidtuts" folder, select "Edit ACL", enable Read for all (green checkmarks), check "Apply to subfolders" (useful for multiple vidtut uploads), then click "OK".


== Update the [http://static-secondlife-com.s3.amazonaws.com/media/podcast/podcast.xm Second Life Podcast ]==
=== Update the [http://static-secondlife-com.s3.amazonaws.com/media/podcast/podcast.xm Second Life Podcast] ===
* Add a new item with [http://www.extralabs.net/feed-editor.htm Feed Editor], duplicating a previous entry and editing these fields:
* Add a new item with [http://www.extralabs.net/feed-editor.htm Feed Editor], duplicating a previous entry and editing these fields:
** ''Required Fields''
** ''Required Fields''
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* [https://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZFinance.woa/wa/pingPodcast?id=151557204 Ping it.]
* [https://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZFinance.woa/wa/pingPodcast?id=151557204 Ping it.]


== [http://blog.secondlife.com/ Blog] about it ==
=== [http://blog.secondlife.com/ Blog] about it ===
* Open up template, craft blog post in Windows Live Writer, and if it's a TotW, set it to publish in the future on Saturday.
* Open up template, craft blog post in Windows Live Writer, and if it's a TotW, set it to publish in the future on Saturday.
* Include supplemental pictures, word explanations, and other relevant content addendum that didn't make it into the video. Related resources links always a plus.
* Include supplemental pictures, word explanations, and other relevant content addendum that didn't make it into the video. Related resources links always a plus.
* Test pre-published link to assure quality.
* Test pre-published link to assure quality.


== [http://secondlife.com/showcase/ Showcase] it ==
=== [http://secondlife.com/showcase/ Showcase] it ===
* Log into blog-like tool.
* Log into blog-like tool.
* Copy-and-paste earlier blog posting into WLW (to strip style irregularities), then back into this, and publish it. ''Note:'' This tool can't publish in advance yet, so this is done nearer to the time or shortly after the aforementioned blog post appears.
* Copy-and-paste earlier blog posting into WLW (to strip style irregularities), then back into this, and publish it. ''Note:'' This tool can't publish in advance yet, so this is done nearer to the time or shortly after the aforementioned blog post appears.
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: <tt><nowiki><img height="16" src="http://torley.s3.amazonaws.com/Getvidtut.png" width="16" align="absMiddle" border="0"></a><strong><a href="http://vidtuts.s3.amazonaws.com/****">WATCH VIDEO</a></strong></nowiki></tt>
: <tt><nowiki><img height="16" src="http://torley.s3.amazonaws.com/Getvidtut.png" width="16" align="absMiddle" border="0"></a><strong><a href="http://vidtuts.s3.amazonaws.com/****">WATCH VIDEO</a></strong></nowiki></tt>


== Wikify it ==
=== Wikify it ===
* Update [[Video Tutorials]] with the newest, most likely a new "#" under all the previous TotWs.
* Update [[Video Tutorials]] with the newest, most likely a new "#" above all the previous TotWs.


== Add it to inworld movie player ==
=== Add it to inworld movie player ===
* Go to [http://slurl.com/secondlife/Grasmere/183/15/30 Watermelinden Land] and edit the script in the following format:
* Go [[Here]] and edit the script in the following format:
: ''[TITLE], [URL]''
: ''[TITLE], [URL]''
(This is currently only being done for the Tip of the Week.)
(This is currently only being done for the Tip of the Week.)
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The above is subject to iteration, but hopefully provides a wealth of insights into how I do what I do. :)
The above is subject to iteration, but hopefully provides a wealth of insights into how I do what I do. :)


== Additional questions ==
== Additional answers ==
=== Do you have more artistic tips for making movies? ===
'''[[User:Torley_Linden/FAQ|See my FAQ!]]'''
Yes. See my '''"[http://torley.com/torleys-13-rules-to-making-good-video-tutorials 13 rules to making good tutorials]"'''. Not set in stone, but water... how's that for philosophy?
 
=== Can I/how do I localize your video tutorials? ===
The answer is almost certainly "YES!" as my educational materials are freely available for modification — keep in mind legal entities which are the property of Linden Lab/Second Life need to be respected so [http://secondlife.com/corporate/trademark/ check out our Brand Center], but you can feel free to dub over my voice with your own voiceover. Please do let me know if you mod my vidtuts, simply because I want to celebrate what you've done!
 
That being said, the process is generally pretty simple:
 
* Download a MP4 from the [[Video Tutorials]] page (''not'' one of the low-quality YouTube Flash video version).
* Open it in your video NLE (non-linear editor). As mentioned above, I use Sony Vegas and you can [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_editing_software look at more options].
* Delete the existing audio track and record your own, then align it to fit. This may be as easy as recording your voiceover while playing the video. If you can use audio effects, I ''highly'' recommend using some noise reduction and a limiter to boost your overall presence.
* Export the video, preferably using the settings above for minimal degradation and compatibility — crisp quality you can play inworld is ''awesome!''
 
Yes, I do have the original "master" copies without subtitles, but they're very big (many gigabytes) and awkward to upload. I guess I could re-export some vids without subtitles but this, too, is time-consuming. If anyone has any advice as to how I can be more efficient about making these available or if you just have a sheer interest, write to torley at lindenlab dot com
 
You can also [http://torley.s3.amazonaws.com/vidtut-whooshding.wav download the "whoosh + dingding" sound effect] I use at the beginning and end. (They're modified versions of Ryan Linden's original teleport + Instant Message sounds.)


If you want to use my music, it's under a CreativeCommons ShareAlike-Attribution License. [http://torley.com/piano Download piano pieces here], and [http://www.archive.org/downloadspopup.php?identifier=Torley_Wong_-_The_Final_Selection check out my electronic selections].
[[Category:Creation]] [[Category:Machinima]] [[Category:Tutorials]]

Latest revision as of 12:48, 6 October 2008

The following is kinda technical — looking for easier help? See Torley's Guide to Making Movies!

How my video tutorials reach the world. Note that some of this is deprecated as of 2008-09-24, and a future revised process may be forthcoming. A behind-the-scenes glimpse at the step-by-steps:

Capture

  • Record raw footage inworld using Camtasia Studio. I like its ease-of-use, non-intrusiveness, highlighting features, and picture-in-picture mode. I usually:
    • Set Second Life screen resolution to 1024x768 in Sizer — the actual dimensions are 1032x802 in Windows XP due to window chrome.
    • Scale SL UI to 1.200.
    • Set audio volumes.
    • Use the DivX codec with these settings (subject to change):
    Torley DivX.png
    Or, if video consists mainly of webpage (outside of SL), "flat" stuff, use TechSmith's lossless Screen Capture codec.
  • When recording is done, gather raw footage into a template folder and rename it with the title of the tutorial.
    Note: I frequently get asked: "How do you get that yellow circle?" It's a Camtasia effect! Open the Camtasia Recorder and go to Effects menu > Effects Options. Also make sure in Effects menu > Cursor, that "Highlight Cursor & Clicks" is on. I leave Camtasia's sounds turned off because SL has its own UI noises.
    Camtasia Effects.png

Production

  • Load "Video Tutorial Template" in Sony Vegas, containing basic outline and track setup. (Continues to be revised over time.)
  • Drag-and-drop movie clips on master video track. Trim ends and crossfade into each other as desired.
  • Move around ending bumper to fit.
  • Use "Video Event Pan/Crop" at appropriate places in the timeline to provide zoomed-in focus on UI elements. I prefer smooth zooms with a 1-sec. interval.
  • Ctrl-drag to copy text media template to appropriate places in timeline and customize it. (Sometimes I customize start + end titles at this point too.)
  • Reword captions as I go along. Stretch text media if some needs to last longer. Other settings, like Placement, can also be changed to provide optimum visibility.
  • Fade and trim ends as appropriate.
  • Add some extra gloss (transition effects) — I like to experiment, sometimes obviously, sometimes more subtle, with different techniques in each vid.
  • Re-watch vid to make sure everything's in its right place. Polish anything else stray I find.

Encoding

  • Render vid to "QuickTime 7" with these settings:
    • Project tab:
      • Video rendering quality: Best
    • Video tab:
      • Frame size: 640x480 (square pixel, meant to be played back on computer screens)
      • Frame rate: 20
      • Field order: None (progressive scan)
      • Pixel aspect ratio: 1.000
      • Video format: Photo - JPEG
      • Compressed depth: 24 bpp color
      • Quality: 95% (near lossless)
    • Audio tab:
      • "Include audio" checked
      • Audio format: Uncompressed
      • Sample rate (Hz): 44,100
      • Bit depth: 16
      • Channels: Stereo
    • Streaming:
      • "Prepare for streaming" checked
      • Optimization: Fast Start
  • When the render's done, open in QuickTime Player and export with these settings (NOTE: I switched from "Main" to "Baseline" profile because the latter works on iPods, and have since boosted video bitrate to 1152 kbps):

Vidtut-encode.png

Publishing

Upload to TubeMogul

TubeMogul's a timesaving video batch-uploader: with one upload, your video gets distributed to YouTube, blip.tv, and about a dozen others.

  • Fill out Video Upload form thusly:
    • Title
    • Description =
    MORE ENLIGHTENMENT @ http://secondlife.com/video
    Friendly greetings! You can learn Second Life in a fun and fast fashion! The enthusiastic Torley is your host, taking you on a tour through tips, tricks, and techniques that'll increase your confidence and make you smile. :) Whether you're a newcomer or longtime Resident, your inworld experience will benefit from these video tutorials.
    • Video Category = "Howto & Style" or "Education"
    • Tags = secondlife second life video tutorial tip trick game world 3d online virtual avatar screencast help machinima love sl (these sometimes get varied to reflect specific content).
  • Click "Upload a video", select the MP4, and upload it. Video usually goes live several minutes later.
  • On YouTube, update the "Second Life Video Tutorials" playlist, reprioritizing the new addition as "1" so it shows up on top.

Upload to Amazon S3

These are the high-quality downloadable versions.

  • Use S3Fox and drag-and-drop the MP4 into the uploader.
  • Right-click the "vidtuts" folder, select "Edit ACL", enable Read for all (green checkmarks), check "Apply to subfolders" (useful for multiple vidtut uploads), then click "OK".

Update the Second Life Podcast

  • Add a new item with Feed Editor, duplicating a previous entry and editing these fields:
    • Required Fields
      • Title
      • Pub Date
    • Optional Fields
      • GUID (same as "Enclosure URL")
      • Enclosure URL
    • iTunes Fields
      • Duration
  • Ping it.

Blog about it

  • Open up template, craft blog post in Windows Live Writer, and if it's a TotW, set it to publish in the future on Saturday.
  • Include supplemental pictures, word explanations, and other relevant content addendum that didn't make it into the video. Related resources links always a plus.
  • Test pre-published link to assure quality.

Showcase it

  • Log into blog-like tool.
  • Copy-and-paste earlier blog posting into WLW (to strip style irregularities), then back into this, and publish it. Note: This tool can't publish in advance yet, so this is done nearer to the time or shortly after the aforementioned blog post appears.
  • Check for any significant content inconsistencies, most notably that embedded videos don't work, so I'll need to replace them with links like this:
Getvidtut.png WATCH THE VIDEO
<img height="16" src="http://torley.s3.amazonaws.com/Getvidtut.png" width="16" align="absMiddle" border="0"></a><strong><a href="http://vidtuts.s3.amazonaws.com/****">WATCH VIDEO</a></strong>

Wikify it

  • Update Video Tutorials with the newest, most likely a new "#" above all the previous TotWs.

Add it to inworld movie player

  • Go Here and edit the script in the following format:
[TITLE], [URL]

(This is currently only being done for the Tip of the Week.)

Afterwards

  • While uploading's happening, work on accompanying blog post or fill in other info that could usefully be multitasked.
  • Shortly after uploading's done, I sometimes watch the vid to make sure things turned out alright, then I post to the blog or otherwise further communicate about my new vidtut.
  • Embrace incoming feedback from my beloved community and use lovely ideas to fuel future vidtuts.

The above is subject to iteration, but hopefully provides a wealth of insights into how I do what I do. :)

Additional answers

See my FAQ!