Customer Reviews

Apple Pro Training Series: Motion 4

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Mark Spencer's new book is packed with information, which is something that I like a lot -- especially when the index works so well and the glossary is short and clear.
A simple measurement of information that I use is: is it first hand information? Reader's might have seen Mark's appearance on MacBreak Studio, an HD-podcast show, which will have answered this question already.
The examples reach from nicely done broadcast scenes to a discussion of a VFX shot from the feature film "Traitor", which creates a nice mixture of content -- a balance that Mark Spencer understands how to keep, as well, in this particular ratio between images and text.
All in all, it is well structured, easy to dive right into the adventure of Motion4, as well as for the daily support of one's work. (Well, you might be like me and miss having the printed manuals a lot; Mark's book eases one out of that very nicely.)

You have to be familiarized with the software for the book goes straight to the point, and this is great. It doesn't waste a word or your time while learning.

I think Mark Spencer is a very talented and smart guy, but this book misses the target! Each chapter is based on performing only a certain aspect of the application. Not really how to use what tools are available within the software, but more like how to create certain projects with it. Definitely not a good beginner book!

I always suggest this series of books and especially this book for this software. The files included are interesting and well made, not some slapped together primitive art looking graphics like I've seen else where. I use this book to teach from and to whip out files that look worse than a cheap "Royalty Free" compilation isn't a ringing endorsement of anything.

The steps are well broken down not three hammered into one but laid out sequentially. I know, you'd think that was a given but think again.

There are a few places where, in a step, it appears that an editor had their way with some of the framing of the process. To illustrate, on page 199 step "Seven" the author asks you to step through a process and then explains that it doesn't work that in fact you didn't do anything wrong it's a feature the software doesn't have at that point. This happens several times and becomes a bit annoying. You can solve this issue simply enough though. All you need to do is to read the step all the way though first, before you do anything in that step. In actuality this is the way to do it (read a software / technical manual) but I've never had a student work that way.

I paid Amazon price for the book and I have all my students buy it as well. I could have requested a "desk copy" but it was just faster and the book is of quality construction with excellent learning materials, it just wasn't worth the hassle and delay. I could have gotten by with the Quick Reference Guide I have on my iPod Touch but this really helps me get to a "Granular level with students.

If you have the software and buy this book and follow the directions and do all the exercises you will know "Motion". After that, it's up to you to keep using the software to embed it in your noggin.

As an aside this book is also available online at [...] They offer a subscription AND a student rate PLUS they offer the work files for download without buying a full years subscription. This is a killer deal as there is no limit on what you can have access to either so.

Either way in printed bound book or online this is a great book -

This Apple Training Series: Motion 4 is a great self pace text for learning motion from the ground up. The original copy that I receieved had a defective CD. The Amazon affiliate I purchased it from, Fantastic Shopping.co, replaced the book & CD promptly with no problems. I would highly recommend both the text and the vendor.

Yes, there are lessons that take you through aspects of Motion, but I was not impressed with the organization of the lessons, nor the omitted information in a given lesson. In Motion there are several ways to do one task, and in this book you will find that the lessons instruct you to use only one, the least efficient (in my opinion), method. They teach you how to perform something without giving you the (easier) keyboard shortcut. Of course, SOMETIMES it gives you the keyboard shortcuts for certain tasks, but I feel it should ALWAYS give you the keyboard shortcut for EVERY task, it would help you learn faster. They will eventually give you the shortcut, but it will be several chapters later. Sometimes I said to myself "NOW you tell me!"

Also, there is no on-line support, which would be useful if you have an issue, as I did once. I correctly executed a lesson, and when I try to apply a motion template in FCP, it wouldn't work as it does in the book's lesson. (example:stills wouldn't function properly in 'action template' drop zones).

The lessons are just a bit clunky in certain places....it's not a useless book, but I've definitely used better organized training books. I haven't seen the Motion 3 book, but I would consider another commenter's review to get that one.

I have great time with this book. Its easy to understand. A great book for a great Mac software!
It could have more different videos to work with, but its great!

I got FCP Suite just a few months ago and had no experience whatsoever with non-linear movie editing, despite having an HD camcorder well beyond my capabilities. I bought the Apple Pro Training Series FCP 7 book and learned very quickly. That book did a great job of teaching me the fundamentals of non-linear editing in general, and how to work with FCP specifically. It gradually advanced my understanding one bit at a time, constantly building on and requiring me to use what I just learned. This book, the Motion 4 book, on the other hand, did not live up to these expectations. I have several complaints about this book. First, its chapter sequence is random, with different elements being introduced sequentially that don't necessarily relate to each other, nor build on previous topics. The strength of the FCP book was in teaching me something, making me exercise it, then advancing that understanding one step forward each time. The Motion book more presents independent concepts that don't tie together or reinforce previous lessons. Second, the book glosses over a lot of the basic topics. I am not particularly savvy in Photoshop and the use of layers for creating artistic effects. Layers are obviously as critical to Motion as timelines are to FCP, but the book jumps right in assuming the reader is completely fluent in their use. Perhaps I'm the outlier with this knowledge gap, but it would be nice to walk me through the topics. Additionally, where FCP did a great job of explaining techniques one executable step at a time, Motion often glosses over smaller details. While ultimately a reasonably attentive reader can work through it, it would be nice to have each step more clearly laid out, especially for the beginner (i.e., me). On the flip side, I very much enjoy the project-centric approach to learning; the book includes a DVD of fun content (surfing, etc.) that is used throughout the book as the reader develops his/her own projects. It is a useful hands on exercise. Had I not started with the FCP 7 book first, I might be more satisfied with this book; however, I am looking for an alternate Motion guidebook.

Length:: 1:35 Mins

When Apple creates a new version of Motion, I look nowhere else than Mark Spencer's Apple Pro Training Books! It gets me up to speed FAST!Enjoy!

I highly recommend the purchase of this book. It is so easy to follow and go through that it's actually surprising that you learn so much from it. This helped rocket my knowledge and confidence in Video Editing and Design.