TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Doing your own art From:Frank -dot- Harper -at- ES -dot- ATL -dot- SITA -dot- INT Date:Thu, 29 Feb 1996 08:14:33 PST
Yes, I do all of my own art, not because I am very talented, but because of the
space requirements when importing bitmaps.
I use FrameMaker. When I import a bitmap (usually screen captures), it results
in very large document files. For this reason, I have drawn (actually traced)
the screens using the FrameMaker draw tools. This has several advantages: first,
a much smaller file. Secondly, it allows me to change the screen easily when the
programmers get a bit wild and change the screen two days before the deadline.
It also lets me save the drawn screens and reuse them for a different screen
with some modifications. And lastly, it produces a much better image on the
printed page when you have to reproduce the documents on a copier instead of a
Linotronic. It works great for those of us who do not send the documentation out
to a comercial printer.
--------------------------------------------------------
H. Frank Harper | Two rules in life:
Technical Writer | 1. Don't sweat the small stuff.
hfharper -at- pobox -dot- com | 2. It's ALL small stuff.
--------------------------------------------------------
