Vector Graphics/Drawing Tools in Technical Writing
Technical documentation is more readable when it features graphics, diagrams, and images. However, it may sound confusing for tech writers, especially, for novices because they think that this task is for designers who can use necessary tools. What if I say that you (a technical writer) also can draw graphics and images for your documentation, and you don’t need special skills. You may ask “How?” And my answer is an intuitive tool. Interested? Here is a list of tools that help you create visual content easily.
Inkscape is professional quality vector graphics software which runs on Windows, Mac OS X and GNU/Linux. It is used by design professionals and hobbyists, for creating a wide variety of graphics such as illustrations, icons, logos, diagrams, maps and web graphics. Inkscape uses the W3C open standard SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) as its native format, and is free and open-source software. Inkscape has sophisticated drawing tools with capabilities comparable to Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW and Xara Xtreme. It can import and export various file formats, including SVG, AI, EPS, PDF, PS and PNG.
Pricing:
It’s free but you can support the project in different ways.
Get all the drawing tools you need to turn simple shapes and colors into sophisticated logos, icons, and graphics. Illustrator artwork is vector-based software, so it can scale down for mobile screens and up to billboard size — and always look crisp and beautiful.
Pricing:
The human brain processes visuals 60,000 times faster than text. Snagit makes it easy to add videos and images to your email, training materials, documentation, blogs, or social media. Or get a short URL to share your screenshots and recordings with anyone.
You can capture your entire desktop, region, window, or scrolling screen. Moreover, you can create images on your own, edit screenshots or build custom graphics without any need to work with a designer.
Pricing:
Lucidchart provides an intuitive and collaborative diagramming solution for your entire organization. Their focus on quality, security, and affordability makes the decision easy. As Lucidchart is built on HTML5 and web standards, it works on every major browser and Internet-enabled device! So, you don’t need to install anything. You can share with friends and colleagues without a second thought about compatibility issues.
Pricing:
LibreOffice is a powerful and free office suite, used by millions of people around the world. Its clean interface and feature-rich tools help you unleash your creativity and enhance your productivity. LibreOffice includes several applications that make it the most versatile Free and Open Source office suite on the market: Writer (word processing), Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw (vector graphics and flowcharts), Base (databases), and Math (formula editing).
Pricing
This tool is free but you can donate:
At some point in most 3D projects, you’ll need to turn your model into a drawing set that gets the point across. LayOut in SketchUp Pro lets you add model views to pages, choose drawing scales, adjust line weights, and add dimensions, callouts, and graphics. Make a change to your SketchUp model, and find it reflected automatically in LayOut. And when it’s time, export pages as PDFs, images and CAD files.
Pricing
There are 3 packages:
- SketchUp Pro ($695)
- SketchUp Free (features are limited)
- SketchUp for Schools (a Student License costs $49)
If you write instructions, and there is no need to draw pictures, please, don’t neglect visual content, and add photos. It’s not so difficult as you may think but it will make users’ life easier.
What tools do you use to draw images or create diagrams for your documentation?
How did I become a technical writer? What skills do you need? Read FAQ on Technical Writing.
