Tech Biz Writing

Printing
Categories of printing methods: Most modern technical documentation will be printed by fast laser, docuprint techniques, often in-house, leaving the writer considerable control over the final outcome. Still to be found, however, are three traditional methods of printing:

* Relief printing
* Intaglio printing
* Planographic printing.

Relief printingTechnical Illustrations

Diagrams
Diagrams are two-dimensional line representations, usually intended for line plate reproduction. They are used in the presentation of symbolic, statistical, and functional information.

Line illustrations
Reproduction of line illustrations: These pictorial drawings are reproduced in a single solid colour with no tonal gradation. They have no intermediate grey tones and consist entirely of lines, dots or solids.
Perspective drawings: Realism is added to line illustrations by means of perspective:

* One-point (parallel)
* Two-point (angular)
* Three-point (oblique)

Three-point perspective is usually incorporated in technical illustration because it is the only form which allows the depiction of three faces of an object without distortion.

Vanishing points are dots placed at the periphery of a perspective drawing to which parallel lines apparently converge. This gives the impression of actual perspective on a two-dimensional plane. In three-point perspective, three vanishing points are used.

Half-tones
Half-tone process: is used to reproduce any subject employing continuous tonal gradation. The material is overlaid with a screened negative or glass plate, which breaks up the image into a pattern of dots of apparently varying density.

Validating technical illustrations
Checklist for vetting illustrations:

* Has spec been followed?
* Is format right?
* Are there technical errors?
* Is title correct?
* Is lettering of sufficient size?
* Are page and figure numbers correct?
* Is security marking accurate?
* Are layout and composition clear?
* Is line thickness correct?
* Are cross-references correct?
* Is material crossing spine clear?
* Is shading correctly placed?
* Have tints or colour codes been correctly indexed?

Next : 58. Technical Editing.