Catalyzer Vol.1: ImageFX
Catalyzer Vol.2: ImageFX Compositing

Anyone who thinks teaching is easy has never tried it. In my not so humble opinion, it's the most difficult profession there is - besides being a Fire Fighter, and in some cases just as dangerous. Fortunately for myself, Bohus, and others, Amiga/Flyer/Toaster users do not come to meetings and conventions bearing weapons.

All kidding aside, the main reason that explaining how to use software is more difficult than just doing it, is because one has to know more than just the subject. You have to understand how the human mind works, how it moves from one concept to the next and how to expand someone's reasoning to your viewpoint. I'm lucky. I grew up with one of the best teachers in the known universe - my mother. Bias aside, very few people can measure up to the scholarship, patience, enthusiasm, dedication or shear brilliance of mind that is the hallmark of my mother's career. I know I don't have the patience for a sustained career in teaching - Plus, I have a very high standard to live up to. Still, I occasionally do some teaching or demonstration - it takes a lot of energy. I only talk or write about image processing because I love it. Try teaching a subject you're not in love with, with any enthusiasm. THAT takes a professional!

I suspect that Bohus, like me, loves ImageFX and will use any excuse to talk about it. A couple of years ago there was a discussion on the ImageFX emailing list about tutorials. People can never get enough - They're always looking for tips, tricks, explanations and insights. While I thought about making a tape, and tried to find people with the equipment, it never came to be; partly, because I got caught up in some other projects which took up all my time. Bohus had the equipment, the smarts, and who knows what else - so, it came as no surprise to me that the Catalyzer videos came into being.

Vol. 1 is, not surprisingly, very basic. Mind you, I didn't say, "simple". A good foundation leads to a better understanding of more complex techniques and the Catalyzer tapes get an A+ for presenting these concepts in a clear and precise manner. Bohus has a very easy conversational manner which I think will put the novice at ease. I have seen several "tutorial" tapes and it's clear to me that not everyone should be in front of the camera. One of the reasons I was not jumping at the chance to be in my own tape was my fear that my sometimes-not-too-pleasant Brooklyn accent would distract and annoy viewers. It's not a good idea to turn off one's customers - Bohus, however, has a nice voice.

I was very impressed with the care Bohus takes to go over exactly how to use AutoFX and IMP. I don't think I've ever seen a better step-by-step explanation of AutoFX - and mind you, it holds no surprises for me. However, I'm not an expert on ARexx scripting, even though I've made my share of scripts, so getting to see how the Parse command works with IMP was a gold mine. While I knew IMP passes variable parameters to scripts, I had never seen it explained so clearly. Even to the point where I can see new ways to use it that I didn't think about before. Any show that gives you at least one good idea is worth the price of admission - and most people would get many great ideas from these tapes!

I did find that some of the screens showing ARexx scripts were hard to read on a television set; but, since these scripts are on the included floppy disk, you can examine them in detail at your leisure. One thing I liked, mostly because it's what I'd do, is how some of the hard to see GUI windows were made into easier to see close-ups - including highlighted areas that went along with the voice over. In effect, breaking up the complexity of AutoFX, IMP or other tools into easier to understand portions. Nicely done!

As a long-time user, I was familiar with everything discussed on these videos; but still, I sat riveted to the screen. While it's possible that I live a dull life, it's more likely that I was fascinated to see how someone else uses a tool or effect that I know "all" about - to see how they apply it differently or in a slightly different context. It's amazing what you learn about yourself when you watch someone else create. What is revealed in these tapes is not simply the tools in ImageFX, but also Bohus's work discipline and techniques. When dealing with something as deeply involved as image processing, that information can be particularly useful. Don't misunderstand - Bohus doesn't sit there telling you the why and wherefore of his "deep thoughts", it's more subtle than that. As you follow along with him, you find yourself wondering... What was the driving force behind that idea? What brought him to that technique or solution? Good food for thought.

There's a lot of fun in having tutorials in video form. You can watch these again and again and see something new each time. A novice will first see these tapes and learn the steps to using ImageFX in this or that way. The more advanced user will be familiar with the steps; but, will be able to observe the underlying logic. I only needed to see each tape once to do this review; but, I watched Vol. 2 twice - It's packed full of neat insights.

Naturally, I was eager to see how he handled my favorite subject, blue/green screen in Vol. 2. While all the information is correct, and even goes through the newer 3.x version of CineMatte, it was not as thorough as I would like; but, then I'm a nut on the subject and I can't ever get enough! But, it is a very good introduction. Bohus was aware that the subject needed further elaboration and was good enough to include an html document on disk - which at least gives the newcomer an idea as to the complexity of the topic. Vol. 2 is really intended to discuss the different ways of compositing, rather than the intricacies of this technique. For more detailed information about using CineMatte, see my Image Effects tutorial on Blue Screen.

On the subject of floppy disks... each volume comes with one. On them you'll find images and scripts used on the tapes, plus additional fonts and text files with more information. Since ImageFX is very much a work-in-progress, I find it very valuable when someone takes the time to point out a bug and how to deal with it. These tapes were made when version 2.6 was in use and there was an AutoFX script problem. The explanation and solution are included. It's that attention to detail that makes Bohus' work here superior to merely another exercise in the latest tips/tricks seminar.

The only thing I want know is why Bohus was in Prague. If you'd like to decipher that, plus understand why I used the word "jaunty" in the title you'll have to get these tapes yourself. You won't regret it!

I have to agree with cecilia on every point she's made. I'm not quite the expert she is; but, I am very experienced with the program and I was pretty sure that I might already know everything I would see on these tapes. I was wrong... I learned several things.

One advantage that video has over printed form, is the fact that you can see a bigger picture. You're not restricted to the step-by-step script, but can gain an insight into the environment both audibly and visibly. You're not only given the directions to follow, but you also get to see them in action - Seeing is believing. Don't get me wrong, there are benefits to the printed form, too.

The problem with a program that is as powerful as ImageFX is that there are so many options and so many different ways of doing things. Unless you devote your life to the program, you can never know everything about it. Watching someone else using an application that you also use, can often be very inspiring. Wait, how'd he do that? I didn't know that function could do that. Ooh, neeto, that's not how I use that; but, I see why he does it that way!

Bohus was correct in recognizing a need to provide users with a good foundation for working in ImageFX and he's done that and more. A great deal of effort went into the creation of these tutorial videos - and it shows. Everything from funky set design (somewhat Kraftwerk-ian) to the careful creation of close-up interface shots. You can tell, while watching Bohus at work, that he knows what he's talking about and that he's got lots going on his head.

Vol. 1 teaches you techniques for creating fancy text, how to animate lightning, the creation and editing of macros, and using AutoFX and IMP for multiple frame (video) processing.

It's important to note that these videos work equally well, together or separately. You do not need to have watched Vol. 1 in order to follow Vol. 2. Still, I recommend getting both and if that's not enough, there's more yet to come.

Catalyzer Vol. 3 for ImageFX, is available now and includes a discussion of layers, CineMorph, scanning/printing and FXForge.

Catalyzer tutorial videos for the Video Toaster Flyer, LightWave and Aura are also planned for the not-too-distant future.

One of my favorite things about Vol. 2 was an advert for Pan Canvas (also available from Legacy Maker) which appeared at the beginning. This really showed the power of that program, and really made me want to see it in action. We'll have a review of this program, as well as future Legacy Maker offerings in upcoming issues of The Gateway.