A manual for real use, please?
First, understand I have read the entire help system printed out AND on my computer numerous times, and have spent much time trying to find anything useful in your knowledgebase system too. So any repy of "just go check the help system" will get a very ... terse ... response. I've spent hours that, as a business owner/operator I cannot aftord to waste (as I have so far), trying to learn your program from your own documentation.
Please understand, I am so thrilled with what your program can do with my individual files and so FRUSTRATED at not being able to use it to speed the work through my business that I must write to you. I have C1 v3.7.6.207, for use with my Nikon and Fuji dslr's in my portrait/wedding studio. I used to shoot MF in the days of film, but currently do not ever expect to be able to justify a digital back expense for my RB67 for daily portrait/wedding use. We have two photographers, three different cameras, and several people involved in the studio workflow.
I continually get glossy ads emailed about the wonders of the workflow your product so easily produces. But as your help system uses a very specific set of terms and NEVER defines them, in the sparse language with which it was written, I haven't a clue what many of your options do. So many things are listed without explaining WHAT they are or why one would use it. Just for one example, in one place you show the "workfile naming convention" ... but you never ever say what, to C1, IS a workfile, when or where one uses them or anything else. So, what in blazes IS a work file? In using this for a year or more, I've never noticed one anywhere. I can't see them in the folders I have processed ... what IS it? And when does C1 make one and why? Has it made them of my files and I just do not know where to look? Is it an internal intermediate step that is then dumped as the temp files are cleared? No clue is given.
I tried to get through the Iveiw Media Pro/CaptureOne pdf ... but right near the top, you say that when I make a new session, C1 will automatically create subfolders named "Captures" and "Processed". Next, your pdf instructs the reader to tell (apparently IVMP, it is very unclear just where in what program to do this next step) the computer to copy files that one wants to work on to the 'Captures" folder that C1 automatically created.
My C1 v3.7.6.207 creates no such subfolders. It will create a "Develops" folder to put processed files into. It makes nothing else. Puzzling, you have to understand. You say and show examples of your program doing something apparently naturally and automatically that I can not find a way to duplicate on my machine.
While trying to figure out if there was a setting I do not have right I went into your help files again ... and got very frustrated. In trying to figure out your nomenclature, I tried to find out exactly (in layman's terms) what your menu and toolbar options and icons do. They are shown ... but not explained ANYWHERE in your help file. You give brief (and not very helpful) explanations of your other windows, but never in your help system do you explain the nature and use of your menu and top toolbar.
The explanation that appears on-screen when you mouse over the first icon for your toolbar says "set this collection as capture collection". What exactly do you mean? What is a "capture collections" collection used for? You refer to various collections in the help file, but never explain just what EXACTLY a collection is, or what any of the various kinds you name are or do. Does this ("Capture") create a specific folder on the hard drive? Will all my files form henceforth be dumped here? Or is this just an internal organizational tool for C1? This is exactly how so many things are mis-informed. How do I find out except by spending hours trying out all kinds of things that SHOULD be explained and defined in basic terms? I am a photographer struggling to make a living and NOT a computer geek t
Please understand, I am so thrilled with what your program can do with my individual files and so FRUSTRATED at not being able to use it to speed the work through my business that I must write to you. I have C1 v3.7.6.207, for use with my Nikon and Fuji dslr's in my portrait/wedding studio. I used to shoot MF in the days of film, but currently do not ever expect to be able to justify a digital back expense for my RB67 for daily portrait/wedding use. We have two photographers, three different cameras, and several people involved in the studio workflow.
I continually get glossy ads emailed about the wonders of the workflow your product so easily produces. But as your help system uses a very specific set of terms and NEVER defines them, in the sparse language with which it was written, I haven't a clue what many of your options do. So many things are listed without explaining WHAT they are or why one would use it. Just for one example, in one place you show the "workfile naming convention" ... but you never ever say what, to C1, IS a workfile, when or where one uses them or anything else. So, what in blazes IS a work file? In using this for a year or more, I've never noticed one anywhere. I can't see them in the folders I have processed ... what IS it? And when does C1 make one and why? Has it made them of my files and I just do not know where to look? Is it an internal intermediate step that is then dumped as the temp files are cleared? No clue is given.
I tried to get through the Iveiw Media Pro/CaptureOne pdf ... but right near the top, you say that when I make a new session, C1 will automatically create subfolders named "Captures" and "Processed". Next, your pdf instructs the reader to tell (apparently IVMP, it is very unclear just where in what program to do this next step) the computer to copy files that one wants to work on to the 'Captures" folder that C1 automatically created.
My C1 v3.7.6.207 creates no such subfolders. It will create a "Develops" folder to put processed files into. It makes nothing else. Puzzling, you have to understand. You say and show examples of your program doing something apparently naturally and automatically that I can not find a way to duplicate on my machine.
While trying to figure out if there was a setting I do not have right I went into your help files again ... and got very frustrated. In trying to figure out your nomenclature, I tried to find out exactly (in layman's terms) what your menu and toolbar options and icons do. They are shown ... but not explained ANYWHERE in your help file. You give brief (and not very helpful) explanations of your other windows, but never in your help system do you explain the nature and use of your menu and top toolbar.
The explanation that appears on-screen when you mouse over the first icon for your toolbar says "set this collection as capture collection". What exactly do you mean? What is a "capture collections" collection used for? You refer to various collections in the help file, but never explain just what EXACTLY a collection is, or what any of the various kinds you name are or do. Does this ("Capture") create a specific folder on the hard drive? Will all my files form henceforth be dumped here? Or is this just an internal organizational tool for C1? This is exactly how so many things are mis-informed. How do I find out except by spending hours trying out all kinds of things that SHOULD be explained and defined in basic terms? I am a photographer struggling to make a living and NOT a computer geek t
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Your preview window did not indicate that some of my (admittedly very long) post was going to be cut off. So, I went to the post, moused over the "Edit" mark which then gave a little balloon saying "Edit/Delete".
I thought I'd delete the post and re-do it off-line.
I could find no way to delete the post in the edit window.
I can actually think of no better illustration of my experience with this program.
Sadly.
Most sincerely,
R. Neil Haugen0 -
R. Neil,
In this Digital Age we’re in, many studios struggle to get up the learning curve of a Computer, Digital Camera, and the Software that is supposed to tie-it-all-together and make it easier and efficient.
Reaching this point of efficiency is where it is quite variable for studios.
You do seem to be well on your way.
One of the strengths of Capture One PRO is its versatility.
The workflow can be established to fit a variety of very detailed and intensive to quite basic and simple.
Finding the efficient workflow for your studio is part of the learning curve.
i.e. Microsoft Excel program is incredibly powerful… most use only a sliver of its capability. They use only the tools that they need to accomplish tasks.
Work File = Thumbnail = .C1w
The Help pulldown is indeed missing a thorough explanation I’d agree.
These are the thumbnails displayed, are about 1KB in size, contain all the image adjustment data, and reside in the Preview Cache.
Enter .C1w in the search area of this User Forum for Windows and you will find we’ve discussed this topic in great detail.
Mac Vs. Windows
Processed = Develops
Captures folder = Sessions folder = Collection – tabs on Windows"set this collection as capture collection". What exactly do you mean? What is a "capture collections" collection used for?
This is for tethering directly into Capture One PRO with a Digital Back or Canon EOS DSLR
Sincerely,
K C0 -
Thanks Keith, for the great reply.
I'm finding that a standard search is much easier ... advanced search means you basically need to know the answer before searching ... or at least, for my attempts.
I understand the V4 UI is going to be more uniform between Mac/PC, and so some of the confusion of having tutorials in one or the other may be reduced.
Still, it would be nice to have a basic explanation of terms. Such as "sessions". By that, do you mean a session while sitting and working in C1, or a particular photo session, or a folder of files, or a folder and it's subfolders ... what, exactly, is a "session" when one sets them up?
Neil0 -
Neil,
The searches in KB are indeed best if kept simple. A lot of effort continues to improve the articles and to create them in a manner that makes them 'searcheable'.
All searches are logged and monitored for improvement and the feedback provided is always appreciated.
Session = Captures = Collection
Session is indeed a Photo Session which is a folder of RAW image files from a portrait / photo session.
I encourage that a Session be captured consistently under like lighting conditions.
This way, the workflow is more efficient with adjustments being applied to All.
Not only will 4.0 merge Features/Functions/Tools of Mac and Windows, there will be Newly Written Help and Guide documentation as well. 😄
Sincerely,
K C0 -
Ah, Keith, thanks for the information.
To have the two versions use the same UI so that tutorials work the same will be wonderful.
Also, from looking at these (currently mystifying) tutorials in the Mac interface, that interface seems much "newer" in style than the Win version.
I know I am not to be too impatient, but you understand I hope, how hard that is. This seems to be a very worthwhile improvement in the program.
Neil0
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