Maybe i'm an idiot. Is it under the help menu?

Preferences > File > Advanced
 
Make sure "Always use Local Help" is ticked. Now, when you hit F1, the local help file will open

thanks, very helpful

Reposted from another thread...
 
"Go to your C drive > Program Files > Cakewalk > Sonar Platinum (or whatever version you want/have installed) and you'll see the Sonar Reference PDF in the list (if you installed the Cake Content stuff).
 
Thank scook for that info. He told me where it was a couple months ago.
 
Cheers."
 
I copied it and put it on my general use laptop so I can read it when not at my DAW.

This tip from Friday's Tip of the Week describes how to add the reference guide PDF to the Tools Menu.

Another thing that may or may not be obvious is hitting F1 is context sensitive. So click on an area in Sonar and hit F1 and it will open the PDF Reference to a semi relevant entry. It's not ALWAYS completely accurate but worth a shot if you want to find something specific out about some weird thingie you discover.
 
ALSO... another thing that I found out (via scook as usual) is that in my case the Ref Guide was opening UNDERNEATH my Sonar window.
 
I thought for some reason the F1 manual option was broken on my config but nope. It was hiding behind Sonar. If I went to my tasbar after pressing F1 there would be that "double" icon for Sonar indicating a second window had been opened. Clicking on the second, tabbed Sonar icon brought up the hidden ref guide entry.

The sonar reference is where it should be - HOWEVER, the file is dated 1/19/2015. Hasn't a lot happened since then? If you've altered the program, shouldn't the manual be altered to reflect this?

herbroselle
The sonar reference is where it should be - HOWEVER, the file is dated 1/19/2015. Hasn't a lot happened since then? If you've altered the program, shouldn't the manual be altered to reflect this?

The online manual gets updated more frequently than the PDF ref guide.
 
In the meantime the monthly eZines generally have instructions on how to operate any new goodies that came out that month.
 
I download and store the eZine PDF's in my manuals folder (which is where I keep my Ref Guide as well).

The chm and online help are updated every month. The pdf is not updated. At the request of CW staff I added this http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3244803 to discuss how frequently the pdf should be updated.

scook
The chm and online help are updated every month. The pdf is not updated. At the request of CW staff I added this http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3244803 to discuss how frequently the pdf should be updated.

Thanks for the link. I said every 6 months. Enough frequency to keep it current without distracting too many CW resources in implementing it.
 
Do you concur?
 
They could/should add a link or something at the start of the Ref Guide though to send people to the eZine releases so they can get at that info in between PDF updates... and of course instructions/links to get at the online manual.