I can't follow this course. I went through the first video 8 times at least before I got everything right. But did I? I tried following the second video multiple times, and everything is turning out wrong. I'm frustrated. I'm about to walk away from CGCookie for the second time! Can I at least have precise numbers for all the operations in the videos in this course, so that I end up with what I'm supposed to by the end of each video?
I really can't describe it. The project just seems to get all jumbled up. This happens to me a lot when I'm transforming things. As an example, I was trying to follow exactly what was happening when modeling the brackets prior to applying the mirror modifier, but when I do it, the bracket ends up too short, too tall, too thick, etc.
Another reason I'm having trouble following along is that things are happening much to quickly. Sometimes a selection is made, and I can't determine what was done to get the same selection. For example, in the first video, when the top boards are selected for extrusion in the previous video, it seems to happen all at once, but it goes to fast for me to see the keystroke or mouse move that made it happen. I kept getting it wrong. On my tenth time through that video, I discovered (by trial and error) that it was l (for selecting an island).
I have a problem with spatial relations (in aptitude tests, I consistently rank in the 5th percentile). Computers have helped me compensate in many areas in which I have trouble due to neurological defect. This includes visualizing objects. Unfortunately, the software I used to use for this has been defunct for a long time, and since current software is "better" for actual artists, nothing really works like that old system. (The advantage for me was the translation between wire frame modeling and source code.) One thing that helps me with blender is having numbers to apply to the operations. I can then pause and try minor adjustments, and I can get a better idea of how the process works.
Ok so for the brackets it might be that when you apply your mirror modifier there are other modifiers before it; causing all of the displacements and any other modifiers to change. When I first started with blender I thought all of the tutorials went fast too so I would suggest changing the speed down to 75%
My condolences for the rough start to the course. If you're brand new to Blender even basic tutorials can be overwhelming.
I second stickdonkey's advice about slowing the video playback to 75%. Try that and see if it helps!
Thank you. Slowing the video did help. Also, I noticed that the numbers I requested are actually there most of the time, just not in the same area. I was looking for them in the lower left corner of my screen where a window pops up after each operation. After slowing down the video, I noticed that they can also be present in the "N" dialog, or in the right hand panel when the object properties are showing.
I agree, this tutorial is extremely difficult to follow. Cramming everything into the tutorial makes it very confusing. Clarity is very important, it gets lost in too much extraneous detail. Calling out the hot keys each time would also be a help. You can not imagine how frustrating it is to go over and over the same video to try and puzzle out what is being taught. Making a simple box should not be this difficult. Perhaps it would be better if you targeted you audience instead of trying to make this class for beginners and experienced.