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First of all, "tears" have been around for a long, long time. It is a useful way of showing there is more in the real life picture than shown in the book. Shadows can be helpful to delimit the edge of a graphic that might blend into the paper background.
Tears and drop shadows can be useful graphic elements to help the reader understand the screen capture as well as show context. Done willy-nilly, they would be a distraction. Used appropriately and tastefully, they'll be more than just gaudy, "way cool" effects and actually be beneficial.
Tom Johnson
Technical Writer
tjohnson -at- starcutter -dot- com
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+tjohnson=starcutter -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+tjohnson=starcutter -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com]On
Behalf Of Roger Bell
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 12:52 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Screen Captures with Stamps and Shadows
Has anyone given much thought, completed any research, conducted
usability tests, or adopted a standard regarding applying stamps, such
as a tear effect, and shadows to screen captures in technical
documentation?
My company is considering using a tear effect and shadow in the PDF
documentation for a new software product. After creating some examples
and passing them around for input, one person in our company commented
that the tear effect suggested anger or frustration to him and that it
may have the same effect on our customers. I had never considered that
reaction.
In looking at most software documentation, it appears that rectangles
and squares without shadows or stamps are most commonly used. As a user,
would it make a difference to you? Since stamps and shadows add no
useful information to the user, we were going for the "way cool" effect.
;-)
Should we stick with the pack or venture to new territory? I'm wanting
more real-world experience than conjecture. Thanks in advance for all
input.
Regards,
Roger Bell
Technical Writer
770.246.2300 x 2366
VCG, Inc.
The power to succeed.
www.vcgsoftware.com <http://www.vcgsoftware.com/>
1805 Old Alabama Road, Suite 250, Roswell, GA 30076
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