Studios

Last week I rented out a studio for the first time as a user to work on a personal project.  Using the equipment for my own school work made the experience of using the studio a lot different than in training.  I was able to my time in experimenting and problem solving with the equipment.  I had the opportunity to figure out how to use the equipment I needed and play around with it without the pressure of a group of students watching you fix something for them.

I felt that using the studio for my own work was very beneficial and I now have a different perspective when I go into a studio to help someone because I have been in their place.  I recommend everyone uses the studio at some point for their own project to get a better sense of how the studio works and to become more comfortable with the equipment. 

- Sammy

Work Saved in Studios

Hey guys!

While working this week, I was closing up the studios (after 11) and a patron came up to me while I was in Studio 2. She asked if I had restarted the computers in Studio 1, which I had. When I told her this, she was visibly upset and stormed off with a "Great.... Thanks a lot." When I walked back to the desk, Cassy informed me that the patron had not retrieved the original project she was working on and was hoping to get it.

I feel bad for the patron, no one ever wants to lose the work they spent hours on. However, it is our policy that we restart the computers every night and in between reservations patrons are supposed to be restarting anyways. So next time a student comes up to make a reservation, remind them that our computers clear memory on restart, so they should always save what they worked on onto a flash drive or email it to themselves. If they have a project that is too large for a flash drive, let them know that they can rent out one of our hard drives as well. This will help the patrons stay happy and help the student workers from being blamed and being left confused as to what had just happened.

Marshilla

Audacity Shortcut

Many of us have had to help studio 6 users set the correct input/output settings in Audacity. Diana pointed out a little shortcut that I was completely unaware of to do this, and I thought it would be a good idea to share! Instead of clicking on the Audacity tab on the top left and going from there, you can change the input/output settings directly through the Audacity window. Take a look at the screenshot below to see what the settings should always be set as in studio 6.

Stay Protected

Hey guys,

In a recent article that I read, Russia: Hidden chips 'launch spam attacks from irons, I learned that cyber criminals are planting chips in electric irons and kettles to launch spam attacks. I was shocked to hear this and wanted to share it with you. The hidden devices have been said to be mostly used to spread viruses, by connecting to any computer within a 200m (656ft) radius which were using unprotected Wi-Fi networks. I found this to be unbelievable. It truly seems as if cyber criminals are willing to try just about anything in order to attack your computer and personal files. It's important to remember to always keep your computer protected with anti-virus software and password protect your Wi-Fi networks as well as do not connect to unknown/unsecure networks. Otherwise, you might be putting yourself at risk even when you would least expect it!

- Melissa

Storyboard That!

Hey guys!

Since we always have tons of people coming in to work on video projects and some of us might be working on some for the center as well, I thought I'd share an awesome resource I found for creating storyboards.  The planning process in filming a video can be just as important as the filming and editing itself, because it makes for a smoother execution.

I found a website called "Storyboard That" where you can create a free storyboard online.  The free use allows for three scenes, and you can upgrade your account for more.  There are tons of options for adding characters, scenes and dialog.  I know I personally prefer a visual storyboard rather than just a written out one, but I am not the best at drawing.  I think this could be a helpful resource for people who want to be able to plan out and visualize what their final video might look like.

The link to the site is below!
http://www.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-creator

Important Audacity Tips

Hey guys, I've noticed a few common questions/problems about Audacity from users that are attempting to record their projects.

1. If a project is paused instead of stopped, no further edits can be made to the audio strip. Many users get easily frustrated when it seems to them that Audacity is inoperable, when in reality they just ended up using the pause instead of the stop button in-between recordings.

2. In order to drag and drop certain parts of the recording, a user must do more then simply click and drag. Make sure to use the cursor to highlight the part of the recording you want to work with, just as you would highlight text, and employ the cut/copy and paste buttons. Most people just try to click and drag without properly highlighting the material, and are led to believe that they have to either move the entire audio strip or delete it and make a new one.

3. In order to have a mp3 (or any other audio file type) of an Audacity recording, one must use the export/share options, followed by selecting the appropriate file type. Using the save function in the Audacity menu will only save the file in a format that can only be opened into Audacity.

Hopefully this helps someone!

Aesop's Fables and Equipment Kit Checklist

A hot shoe adapter was found from the Diversity Tuner in Room B on Thursday evening. 

It was returned - without the hot shoe adapter.

Moral of the story:

1.  Check the equipment to make sure all pieces of the part are present and undamaged before you scan it into the checklist.
2.  Send an email to lib-multimedia@udel.edu if you find a user leaves a part of the kit.
3.  Make a supervisor aware if a kit is returned and missing a part.

Follow the Directions!

Just a quick reminder to every one through something Diana pointed out last week. Read the directions all the way through! With so many students coming in to print the surveys for the BHAN class, Diana printed out directions for us to give out for extra assistance because it was such a common thing. She tested the directions on those of us working at the desk that night and who would have guessed that we both made the same mistake. Instead of reading the entire sentence, we read the first half of it and immediately got lost because we did not read the whole sentence. Be sure when helping someone or doing your own projects not to get ahead of yourself and jump to conclusions. I would have been really confused if Diana was not watching over me telling me, 'read the whole sentence.'

Loaning Multimedia Equipment

We are getting to that point of the semester when students need just about everything to do projects (cameras, projectors, etc). Please remember that a patron cannot recheck out a three day item unless it is a hard drive, which only a staff member can check it out through Aleph.

The patron must wait exactly 24 hours to check out the item again. This rule applies to group members as well.  Also remember to take a look at the patron's ID card sometimes they may try to use another person's ID to recheck an item out. In that case do not return the ID and get a staff member.

 Hope everyone is well!

-Nick

Hi Guys!

For my first blog post, I thought I’d share a resource that really started me off on Adobe After Effects video manipulation, a video tutorial website called “Video Copilot.” There are hundreds of video tutorial sites on the web (especially for AE,) but this one drew me in because it taught you skills indirectly- it draws you in with an incredible final product (something like how to do a ‘bleach bypass,’ or how to replace the retina of an eye with just a blank eye,) and takes you step by step into the process of making that final product. Andrew Kramer, the creator of Video Copilot, takes these effects and produces incredibly exciting clips- I would get a glimpse at how good video editing could be, while being subtly taught the basics.

Anyways, here’s the link:

http://www.videocopilot.net/tutorials/

Sam Kurkoski

If anyone has ever considered getting the Adobe Creative Suite, now would be a good time.  Adobe is having a student special for Creative Cloud that's even more than the usual education discount.  Up until November 29th, student access is only 20 bucks a month.

I wouldn't be talking about it, except I was confused at first.  When I was first looking into getting Premiere, I thought it was $20 for just that, Premiere.  That's not really worth it.  But with this one, you get access to every piece of software Adobe makes.  And not some watered down version either.

Anyway, I feel like a salesman a little, so I'm going to stop now.  Just know that it's an option.

Studio purposes

Hey everyone, this is just a reminder! Today a group of students came in asking for a studio. When asked what they were going to be doing in the studio they said that they would be making a power point. They said that last time they requested the studio for the same purpose and were allowed in, so they were surprised when we had to deny them access this time. Please remember that this is not allowed! A student may use the studio once the powerpoint is done to either practice the powerpoint presentation, or to record audio into the powerpoint.

Different File Formats

Hey guys,

So a couple days ago there was a group of girls in one of the studios using audacity and when they opened up their file it only had one track. They said that they had mutiple tracks with voice, music, and other sounds. The problem was that they were opening up an mp3 format when they should have been opening up the original audacity file.

With most programs they save it in their own custom format specific to that program. For example photoshop has psd files, Illustrator has Al files, and Audacity has AUP files. These files retain all the settings and allow the projects to be opened back up and become editable.

From there you can then save it as any format you want, mp3, jpeg, pdf (depending on what kind of project it is. HOWEVER, make sure you keep the original file!!! I cannot stress this enough, if you lose that original file you will not be able to edit your project anymore. So if any students come in asking how to save an mp3 in audacity, or a jpeg in photoshop, make sure you remind them to keep the original file as well!

Motion Tweening-Animation made easy

Often times, Animation does not require complicated frame by frame drawings...it might be as simple as a single object that retains the same shape but simply moves from one side of the stage (what flash calls the area you see during the movie) to the other side.

Alternatively, it might be an object that both moves and changes shape, such as a bouncing ball, but in a way that can be accurately predicted mathematically. What this means is that computer programs, such as Flash can accurately predict the intervening frames for just such an animation.

If you give it a beginning and an end frame, Flash can produce all the intervening frames for you in a process called "Tweening" as in in between.

Flash also has a tool called easing which allows you to effectively add acceleration or deceleration to the tween, meaning that the speed at which the object moves or changes will change during the course of the tween.

For a basic tutorial on Tweening in flash click the link:

http://www.flashkit.com/tutorials/Getting_Started/Frame_By-Robert_C-709/index.php

Saving iMovie to MP4

We had this question the other day at the desk -- how to save a video in iMovie as an MP4. Here's a page that shows the steps for this.

After Effects

If you have a desire to learn After Effects, Adobe TV has a great tutorial with lesson plans, video, and all the tools you need to follow along with the instructions.  The tutorial is free and contains a wealth of resources for you to create a eye catching video that has some pazazz.

There's seven parts to the tutorial.  It will take almost three hours to watch all of the videos, but it is a great investment.  Adobe TV After Effects

Wrapping Your Head Around Printing Booklets

Recently, there have been students who need to print a four page booklet for a class. Today, two students came to the Center with the 4 separate 8.5 by 11in pages asking what we could do. An easy way to go about this is to tape them together so that they each create an 11 by 17in page. But here's the tricky part that took me sometime to wrap my brain around--the order of the pages must be in the correct order in relativity to how a book is laid out. The lay out is: page 4 left, page 1 right for the first combination and page 2 left, page 3 right for the second. Page 4 is left as it is the back and page 1 is right as it is page 4's front (cover of the book). After organized, double-side copy 11 by 17in both double-pages to make one copy with all four pages, front and back. Fold it and you have your book! It took me a second to understand it spatially so hopefully this is helpful for anyone else.

Does anyone know any software alternatives to this manual technique? John was considering Publisher-- any others someone has used and would like to explain?

Oral Communication Fellows binder

Cabinet #2 (right of the iMac) has a white binder on the top shelf.  This is for the Oral Communication Fellows so if they ask you will know where to find it.  We just hold the binder so they will ask at the service desk when they need it and they will return it here too.

The Tile

Hey Guys!

This is for all you Apple Iphone lovers we have working, and if you haven't already seen this new app, your life is about to forever change.

The Tile

All hale the Tile, a small locator that you can put on any item that you have a tendency to lose (Keys, purse, small child, etc.) The tile comes complete with an app for your iphone, ipad, or any other I-device that you own. The app allows you to have ten tiles on an account and has tracking for each individual unit. Even cooler, the app is programmed so that you can actually see yourself getting closer or further away from the Tile when within a 50 - 150ft range. In addition, this little block has a built-in speaker so that when you get close, you can heart the little guy. Even cooler still... there are no batteries required.

lml.. OoO...lml
Rock On

Bryn Mawr Film Institute Silver Screen Inspiration Short Film Contest

For all of you budding film makers: Bryn Mawr Film Institute is having a short film contest. http://www.brynmawrfilm.org/films/?id=967 Top prize is $2500 for a 15 minute short. Deadline is Dec. 31, 2013

Video games

You may be surprised to learn that the Film and Video Collection has a collection of video games that user can borrow.  Check out what is available in DELCAT. 

Shifting microfilm

Right now S78 microfilm is in the progress of shifting.  Some space was needed so Rich will be moving the film so you may see an empty cabinet or two.  Don't get confused if the labels are not up to date.  If you need any assistance, ask a supervisor.

New Student Multimedia Design Center Homepage!

Hey guys!

As I'm sure you'll all see soon, our center has a new homepage! I talked to Nico who worked on the website, and there are lots of cool new features! Here are a few great things about our updated site:

• The site is now mobile friendly!
• Any news, which used to be towards the bottom of the website, is now in a photo slideshow on the homepage, which is also able to show videos and links! The slides have captions explaining the news, some containing links with further information.
• The video tutorials are now easily accessible on the bottom left of the homepage.
• The video project calculator has a new section towards the bottom of the homepage to encourage students using it! It's a great tool, especially for us student assistants who are doing a video for our advertisement.
• The hardware and software features are linked on the top right. 
• The hardware page lists all of the different features, and now if you click one of the areas, a photo set with blurbs detailing each area pops up!
• The software page has also been updated, showing the icons of the software we have available.
• The equipment kits are linked on the right side of the page, underneath the hardware/software. This page now features a photo set that pops up, showing a photo of each kit and a blurb with information on the kit.

Awesome! Thanks, Nico!

My Fax Free instead of Fax Zero?

Often we have students and staff come to the Center to fax. As we all know, instead of a machine, we show them how to scan then attach to a fax service website. Since the beginning of the semester, I've been sending students to My Fax rather than Fax Zero. Early in September, there was some sort of security or privacy issue and Fax Zero didn't work on our computers. Yesterday when two students came in to fax, I thought I might as well try Fax Zero again, but the same issue arose. My Fax (and then specifically My Fax Free) is essentially the same thing and works fine. I am not sure why Fax Zero doesn't work, but for now, I would recommend sending patrons to My Fax after they have scanned their attachments. The site is under General Links on our blog page.

VHS display in Film & Video Collection department

There's a vintage VCR and poster with some fun VHS facts on display in the Film and Video Collection department now. Check it out, it's in the left side aisle. I won't spoil some of the trivia by posting it. I'm sure some of you grew up watching VHS and your parents may have taped you as a kid with a VHS video camera. Just a reminder that we have the ability to transfer VHS directly to DVD in Studios 1-4. We've helped people digitize their VHS tapes, including educational, weddings, kids' parties etc. Remotes and instructions are available at the desk. People can also use the decks to import VHS into software and edit it, add captions etc. The VIC carts can also be used for VHS transfer (one can also handle PAL formatted VHS tapes used in some other countries). We also offer Digital Transfer Services for pay, including transferring VHS to DVD. I still have a working VCR at home by the way.

UD Research Poster Templates Now Available

UD has many talented researchers who want to share their findings through posters.  As most researchers are not graphic designers, their poster designs are often not as compelling as their findings due to the learning curve and time constraints.

Here's some good news for researchers in a hurry: UD's Office of Communications and Marketing (OCM) has created two research poster templates.  These allow researchers to share their work without having to reinvent the wheel. The templates are linked from the Large Format Printing tab in the Print, Copy, Scan guide, so please check them out and encourage people to use these instead of creating posters from scratch.

After data is inserted, saving the file as a PDF should make the poster ready to print.  Center staff are interested in any user feedback on the template design that may be shared with OCM.

QuickTime Player for Screen Recording?

Today I found out something I have been wondering for the longest time! When ever I need to learn how to do something on a software I have never done it on, I always revert to YouTube. Most of the tutorials I watch always have the screen recording the actions they are doing on the computer. I knew that a software made this possible for these "tech gurus" to record this way, however I never took the time to see what it was exactly. QuickTime Player is a familiar video maker/ player, but it is also a free and easy-to-use way to screen record anything. I find it particularly useful for tutorials and projects. It is available for Mac and PC. Did I mention it's FREE?! As opposed to ScreenFlow or Camtasia which must be purchased or used in Studios 1-4. Granted, ScreenFlow and Camtasia may have more options and come in handy for more complex recordings, QuickTime Player's screen recording is great for adding quick clips to enhance a tutorial or project. Simply open QuickTime Player, press file, screen record, play, and you're in business. Press the stop button in the upper right hand corner when you're through. It couldn't get any easier than that!

Creating Outlines to Preserve Typefaces in Adobe Illustrator

If you've ever designed something in Adobe Illustrator that incorporates typography (such as a poster, flyer, logo, etc.) you may have encountered a frustrating problem where your type seems to change its appearance on its own when you have tried to pull up your illustrator file on another computer. Usually, this is a result of your typeface NOT being installed on the other computer you are trying to work on. In response, Adobe Illustrator will automatically convert your type to another typeface.

 For example, if you designed a poster using a font that you downloaded from the internet on computer 1 (ex. Aleo) and now tried to bring up that Illustrator file on computer 2, all the type that you originally set in Aleo may be automatically converted to Times New Roman because Aleo does not exist on computer 2.

Luckily, there is a way to address this problem that is especially helpful if your project is near done (ie you are not planning on adding any more type) and you are just looking to make some minor changes (like adding color or modifying the layout). Instead of re-downloading the font onto the other computer, you can convert your type to "Outlines" before saving your illustrator file and opening it on the other computer. Just click on your text box, move your cursor to the top of the window, select "Type" and then select "Create Outlines." This can also be achieved through the keyboard shortcut: Shift + Cntrl + O.

By changing your type to outlines, you are essentially converting the letters into shapes. This means that your type is not dependent on the fonts installed on a computer and should open universally the same on any computer. However, it is important to note that BECAUSE your type is actually a shape, you cannot continue to type in the text box and add to its content.

"So, it took a lot longer to complete than I expected."

As a graphic designer, this is a common statement I've said and have heard other students say in studio classes. You can never estimate the time it will take to complete a project. Especially the ones that involve video because they have multiple steps that require much planning ahead of time. However, when you use, and follow the project plan the Video Project Calculator generates for you, you'll be sure to do yourself a big favor for being well prepared. And dramatically decrease the chance of pulling an all-night the night before the video is due. The sooner you start planning, the easier it will be in the long run!

Click here to start planning your next video project!