07-19-2021, 08:14 PM
Hi Gary, nice to see you here!
I'd like to stress these are just my thoughts, the things I'd like to see in Tactic and the things I'm wiling to help to build.
about the VFX plugin I agree with Listy, it should showcase Tactic to the newcomers, should be easy to pick up, and simple with just the basics but well done and well working tools.
I believe the if anyone can quickly install tactic (I'm a fan of Docker for that) and find out how to start using it with the VFX plugin and perhaps a couple of others not to limit the public to video production, many people will start using it and hopefully contribute
We know Tactic is very powerful, I had to work with Shotgrid in the past and I think the API is far behind tactic, but to appreciate it you have to know it quite well and very few people will go after the first try if it is not straight forward to install and easy to start using.
- As you wrote "we tend to only use a small subset of the functionality of SG" that's why I would start to clean, simplify and debug the plugin
- I think a successor to Tactic team is needed to let people test drive it with a fast and simple installation (hint on docker again)
- The new project wizard should be cleaned of the old "template" page and a page to activate a "collection" of plugin should be put in place so that users will be able to easily start a VFX project
- Add some views with plotted graphs and analytics on how the project is doing, this is essential to "reward" the producer
- Some work to optimize and speed up the web GUI
- The administration menus are a bit "messy" for example I don't get why we have a "project" and a "project essentials" menu and some tools lile the "manage views" are old and not entirely functional, these create confusion.
The top point in using tactic over shotgun or ftrak is the fact that it is opensource, studios spend a lot of time and money to build their pipeline. I wouldn't build the most important part of my studio on a tool I cannot change and debug and more important control, see what's happening with the new subscription model at autodesk and the forced updates you get when you do not own your server software.
I think cgwire kitsu it's in a sweet spot, it easy and many small studios in Europe, specially in France are starting to use it. I think it is very strong in ease of data entry an the UX its not perfect but quick to pick up, tactic is more powerful and the VFX plugin could easily match kitzu's functionalities.
I think with the right ideas we could have a some good results pretty quickly, I'm willing to help, some ideas and a little design document from a producer point of view like your could help a lot
When I search for opensource software I usually start with evaluating the main web site, it's design, documentation and if it is up to date, I thinks it tells a lot on how a project is managed, in this regards the tactic community site is quite good, the documentation could use an update but it us well done, than I check the github page activity, how many commits, ho many contributors, issue and PR, again looking good for tactic than the forums this has been up and downs for tactic but now they are lively enough
Again I think some steering from a producer could help a lot! What does Tippett Studio need? What new views and tools do you think are essential?
I'd like to stress these are just my thoughts, the things I'd like to see in Tactic and the things I'm wiling to help to build.
about the VFX plugin I agree with Listy, it should showcase Tactic to the newcomers, should be easy to pick up, and simple with just the basics but well done and well working tools.
I believe the if anyone can quickly install tactic (I'm a fan of Docker for that) and find out how to start using it with the VFX plugin and perhaps a couple of others not to limit the public to video production, many people will start using it and hopefully contribute
We know Tactic is very powerful, I had to work with Shotgrid in the past and I think the API is far behind tactic, but to appreciate it you have to know it quite well and very few people will go after the first try if it is not straight forward to install and easy to start using.
(07-15-2021, 08:55 PM)garymundell100 Wrote: What features in priority would be needed to take it to that level ?
- As you wrote "we tend to only use a small subset of the functionality of SG" that's why I would start to clean, simplify and debug the plugin
- I think a successor to Tactic team is needed to let people test drive it with a fast and simple installation (hint on docker again)
- The new project wizard should be cleaned of the old "template" page and a page to activate a "collection" of plugin should be put in place so that users will be able to easily start a VFX project
- Add some views with plotted graphs and analytics on how the project is doing, this is essential to "reward" the producer
- Some work to optimize and speed up the web GUI
- The administration menus are a bit "messy" for example I don't get why we have a "project" and a "project essentials" menu and some tools lile the "manage views" are old and not entirely functional, these create confusion.
(07-15-2021, 08:55 PM)garymundell100 Wrote: What are the current sore points and frustrations in order of importance in Shotgun and others that VFX Plugin can address?
The top point in using tactic over shotgun or ftrak is the fact that it is opensource, studios spend a lot of time and money to build their pipeline. I wouldn't build the most important part of my studio on a tool I cannot change and debug and more important control, see what's happening with the new subscription model at autodesk and the forced updates you get when you do not own your server software.
(07-15-2021, 08:55 PM)garymundell100 Wrote: What is the base-level functionality that most users and studios can agree on is essential?What is the base-level functionality that most users and studios can agree on is essential?
I think cgwire kitsu it's in a sweet spot, it easy and many small studios in Europe, specially in France are starting to use it. I think it is very strong in ease of data entry an the UX its not perfect but quick to pick up, tactic is more powerful and the VFX plugin could easily match kitzu's functionalities.
(07-15-2021, 08:55 PM)garymundell100 Wrote: When can it be viable and ready?
I think with the right ideas we could have a some good results pretty quickly, I'm willing to help, some ideas and a little design document from a producer point of view like your could help a lot
(07-15-2021, 08:55 PM)garymundell100 Wrote: How can we get the news out and get more people involved?
When I search for opensource software I usually start with evaluating the main web site, it's design, documentation and if it is up to date, I thinks it tells a lot on how a project is managed, in this regards the tactic community site is quite good, the documentation could use an update but it us well done, than I check the github page activity, how many commits, ho many contributors, issue and PR, again looking good for tactic than the forums this has been up and downs for tactic but now they are lively enough
(07-15-2021, 08:55 PM)garymundell100 Wrote: What needs to be done in this community to support this initiative to make it happen - fast?
Again I think some steering from a producer could help a lot! What does Tippett Studio need? What new views and tools do you think are essential?