Instructions!

[APA-168]

I'd like to hear how people do their instructions. These are a constant frustration for me. I have worked out a process that is somewhat clunk but works ok. First, I use the original 3d model to create a diagram in Sketchup. Next, I export it as a PNG. Now, I could just stop here except that the quality of the images exported from Sketchup is HORRIBLE. So, I next have to import the PNG into Inkscape, where I trace over it. The results are ok, but it's difficult to do things like turrets that involve a lot of curves because curves are hard in Inkscape and they end up looking wonky if you look too close.

So what I want to know is how do YOU guys do your instructions? Is there a method that's easier? What about other CAD programs, meta, rhino etc. is it easier to do diagrams in these programs? Thanks in advance!

[Barry]

It is easy in Meta select the parts you want to show in the diagram take a screenshot dump it into your favourite paint program.

[PaperMakeiT]

I use Blender and put rendered images into the instructions.

Anyway, have you tried in Inkscape to work the smooth trim? The result is quite different with it flagged or not.

[JT Fox]

I take photo's of the final test build, then paste them into "MS Word", add a few paragraphs of text and your done.

Maybe not the best but fairly straight forward.

Cheers JTF

[nothing]

i use a combination of barry's method but i also use screen caps in pep also edited in paint.