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Subject:RE: What graphics tasks do you perform? From:"McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com> To:"Cardimon, Craig" <ccardimon -at- M-S-G -dot- com>, 'Nancy Allison' <maker -at- verizon -dot- net> Date:Tue, 19 Feb 2013 15:22:52 -0500
One of my most likely graphic tasks is to create/modify my own diagrams for how a feature works or how our (hardware-and-software) product fits into a customer operational scenario - a combination of a flow chart and the kinds of icons that you'd see in a PowerPoint presentation.
I've used Visio, various draw programs, and even GIMP or PhotoShop (or Paint.NET or Paint or...)
I also spend time separating photos of hardware bits from backgrounds, because I don't have a white-box to eliminate shadows... or I might be photographing against a busy background. I could use some good, pointed instructions on how to quickly, easily mask desired objects (that aren't a single color) from their backgrounds (that also aren't a single color).
Then I'll do a bit of lightening, dodging, etc., to highlight the relevant bits... or to de-emphasize the less relevant bits.
Screencaps are pretty straightforward for me, an activity covered by FastStone Capture (previously I used an ancient copy of SnagIt).
I'll probably think of other graphic things that I do, as soon as I hit [Send].
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+kevin -dot- mclauchlan=safenet-inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+kevin -dot- mclauchlan=safenet-inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Cardimon, Craig
Sent: February-19-13 12:13 PM
To: 'Nancy Allison'
Cc: 'tech2wr-l'
Subject: RE: What graphics tasks do you perform?
Nancy,
I make a ton of screen captures using Snagit 11. Then I crop, draw arrows to the important parts, and add magnification sections as needed.
Craig
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Nancy Allison
Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 12:08 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: What graphics tasks do you perform?
Hi, all. I hope you can take a minute to help me gather info for a book review I'm working on.
I'm reviewing a book about GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) and I want to be sure that I cover the subjects of interest to tech writers. I'm interested in everyone's response, but especially in the responses from those of us who have no graphics training but have to deal with graphics as part of their jobs.
I have two basic areas of inquiry:
One: What tasks do you perform? Here are the usual tasks I perform -- please add to the list or clarify as needed:
--Making modifications to line drawings --Making modifications to photos --Sharpening elderly graphics --Resizing high-res photos for use in user docs or online help --Creating new graphics from scratch (very rarely)
Two: what are your biggest areas of difficulty (and what tools do you use?)
Thanks very, very much. I'll write a more useful review if I know what kinds of info you are looking for!
--Nancy
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