Learning curve gets steeper

Okay, it took a while for me to update our introductory video about how to use the new mega-guide that we built by smooshing our seven regional guides into one.

But I have an excuse. I forgot how to use the highfalutin’ video creation software.

I’m sure it’s not old age.

The Adobe software programs we use to build the guide have steep learning curves. They’re pretty complex. The chartlets are drawn with Illustrator, with a little help from Photoshop. Then the illustrations, text and photos are mashed together into an interactive guide with InDesign.

We spend about six months a year working with that software. The rest of the time we are sailing (AKA doing cruising guide research) and holidaying (AKA playing Granny and Grandad).

We do use the programs to edit and tweak the guide year-round, but most of the work is done during the six-month work window. I do sometimes forget a step or keystroke, but it usually only takes a moment to get back up to speed.

That’s not the case with Premiere Pro, our video editing software. I rarely use it, so every time it gets booted up I have to relearn it all over again.

It had been a year since I last made a video, so when I sat down to update our intro video I had to again watch a kazillion how-to videos on YouTube to know what keys to press and when to press them.

I’m sure it’s not old age.

Anyway, here is the updated video. It’s not a brand new video, but kinda built from a couple other videos, with lots of tweaking to make it reflect changes in our Salish Sea Pilot cruising guide.

And, yes, we do have to start making more videos about the Salish Sea.

Stay safe.