The Return of Offline Help

[aleo]

Very happy to see Offline Help return to Cakewalk.  Many thanks to the Bakers for restoring this feature.   It was a great asset that was available in the old Sonar programs and very helpful to both new users and old veterans.  For those who haven't tried it, first, download the Help file when you update to version 2022.06, a toast notification about it should appear near the bottom of your screen.  Following installation, just click on Help>Documents and a detailed Table of Contents appears--no need to go online!  There is also an Index for the Help document, and you can search the entire text using key words--fast and easy to use.?

 

[Starship Krupa]

 Also no pop-up message from 4 years ago telling me about how Cakewalk is now free. ? I found the online documentation system too clumsy to use. Only good for the first hit, then any searching sent me to outdated pages about SONAR.

I love having the documentation local on my system. I have to remind myself that it's there, because I've gotten so used to going to the Reference Guide when I want help. But the Reference Guide is nearly 2000 pages of detailed information, therefore a lot to wade through.

[Keeper]

On 7/1/2022 at 1:16 PM, aleo said:

Very happy to see Offline Help return to Cakewalk.  Many thanks to the Bakers for restoring this feature.   It was a great asset that was available in the old Sonar programs and very helpful to both new users and old veterans.  For those who haven't tried it, first, download the Help file when you update to version 2022.06, a toast notification about it should appear near the bottom of your screen.  Following installation, just click on Help>Documents and a detailed Table of Contents appears--no need to go online!  There is also an Index for the Help document, and you can search the entire text using key words--fast and easy to use.?

 

I did the local documentation install via the DAW updates. I have yet to actually see it open locally. When I do as you describe (help -> documentation) it still goes to the webpage help. I did get the PDF through this forum but I would like to actually see the local offline help. 

 

EDIT: I found it. In the preferences then checkmark "always use local documentation". 

Edited March 28, 2023 by Keeper

[Promidi]

Unfortunately, the offline help does not get updated as often as the web based help.

[Jim Fogle]

6 hours ago, Keeper said:

EDIT: I found it. In the preferences then checkmark "always use local documentation". 

@Keeper, where did you find the checkbox in Preferences?

[Promidi]

1 minute ago, Jim Fogle said:

@Keeper, where did you find the checkbox in Preferences?

Preferences - File - Advanced (Advanced)

[Jim Fogle]

@Promidi, Got it.  Thanks!

[sjoens]

It would still be nice if both options were in the Help menu so I can choose on the fly. Maybe even a link to the PDF there too.

[OutrageProductions]

1 hour ago, sjoens said:

 Maybe even a link to the PDF there too.

I have a shortcut to the CbB PDF and my video sled PDF manuals pinned to the top of my Win start menu and use them OFTEN!

[Starship Krupa]

On 3/31/2023 at 5:31 PM, OutrageProductions said:

I have a shortcut to the CbB PDF and my video sled PDF manuals pinned to the top of my Win start menu and use them OFTEN!

You can also add links to them in Cakewalk's Utilities menu. The easiest way is via scook's utility.

[OutrageProductions]

43 minutes ago, Starship Krupa said:

You can also add links to them in Cakewalk's Utilities menu.

True, but I often peruse the manual without having CbB open. I know... I'm a little nutty that way. ?

[Starship Krupa]

2 hours ago, OutrageProductions said:

I often peruse the manual without having CbB open

Hey, I have it on my iPad, along with Craig Anderton's Giant Book of Cakewalk Tips. Great for waiting rooms.

[Bruno de Souza Lino]

There's only one issue with Offline Help that I can see. If you already have it installed and remove CbB, you have to reinstall it again, otherwise you won't have access to it despite the installer claiming you already have it installed.