Graphics for Technical Writers

Graphics for Technical Writers

Full Description

This is a class designed for technical writers who must create and edit graphics as a part of their documentation work. It focuses on identifying graphics file types, manipulating images, choosing image types, using screen captures, working with data displays, and applying good graphic design principles. Although the instructor will use CorelDRAW on the Windows platform to demonstrate graphics techniques, the class is designed to be non-program specific. Students will need to own a vector illustration package such as CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator, or Macromedia Freehand, and a bitmap manipulation package such as CorelPhotoPaint, Adobe PhotoShop, or PaintShopPro.

Outcomes:

The students will take a written examination at the end of class to determine their understanding of the material as well as complete four projects demonstrating their skill with their program of choice.

Assessment:

Students will be able to identify file types, indicate what are the correct file types for various situations, what programs will manipulate which file type, demonstrate techniques for making changes to various file type, and demonstrate screen capture techniques.

Week 1 I. Working with existing graphics.
A. What is a vector, what is a bitmap?
1. Defined shapes
2. Pixels and Resolution
B. How to recognize each type of image.
1. Files Sizes
2. File Extensions
3. Identifying file extensions.
4. Resources for identifying
5. Opening files to look at the code
6. Special problems with CAD files
7. Software to combine vectors
8. Postscript conversion issues
Week 2 C. What programs to use to modify each type.
1. Vector illustration packages
a. Adobe Illustrator
b. CorelDRAW
c. Macromedia Freehand
2. Bitmap manipulation packages
a. Adobe Photoshop
b. CorelPhotoPaint
c. Macromedia Fireworks
d. Jasco PaintShopPro
e. Windows Paint
f. MacPaint
D. Guidelines on when to start over
1. Time element
2. Percent to be changed
3. Your abilities
4. Your resources
Week 3 E. Converting graphic formats.
1. Vector to Bitmap, Bitmap to vector
2. Back conversion programs
3. Importing graphics.
4. Import filters
5. What works/What doesn?t?
F. Working with clipart.
1. Copyright issues
2. Getting permission
3. Acknowledgements
Week 4 G. When they give you a physical image.
1. Scanning graphics
a. Scanner choices and maintenance
b. Scanning resolutions
2. Tracing existing graphics
a. Bitmap to vector programs
b. Limitations
c. Tracing with layers
3. Adding labels to graphics
a. Font choices
b. Call out labels
4. Touching up, editing graphics -What is ethical; how much can you do?
Week 5 II. Screen captures
A. Capture programs
1. Save to file or save to document?
2. Cropping and sizing
B. Resampling
C. Image explosions and locking sizes
Week 6 III. Creating new graphics
A. Guide lines on graphics "Just because you can does not mean you should!"
1. ?The Absence of Ugliness?
2. Communication vs. Design
B. Illustrations, function, good design standards
1. What is your purpose?
2. Who is your audience?
3. KISS principle
Week 7 C. Simple drawing exercises (line art)
1. Drawing tools
2. Fast duplications
3. Line weights and fills
Simple bitmap manipulation exercies
1. Basic tools
2. Layers and objects
3. Color issues
Week 8 IV. Special Problems
A. Framemaker, PageMaker, CorelVentura, Quark Express, InDesign: What are the issues in each program with graphics?
B. Issues on Going to the Web
1. One Size does not fit All! - File types
2. Resolution
3. Color palettes
4. Legibility issues

Contact Hours: 30