Posted by: @shrap-2

I am trying to designate my parts like they are on a model runner and write the instructions accordingly like your putting together a model kit. A video would be useful for marketing, but since I don't charge for my stuff and don't really need to spend $40 on shipping free filament, meh. Whatever.

If it's a model kit, you already know the answer. Most of them come with picture instructions, and people have grown accustomed to that.

I used a picture based instructions.

I am trying to designate my parts like they are on a model runner and write the instructions accordingly like your putting together a model kit.

Not my sort of design but no matter.  Please read this as constructive criticism.

The trouble is that as presented your instructions are dense and may be offputting for any but the most dedicated.

Because the pictures are separate from the text the builder must refer backwards and forwards many times - if you duplicate the pictures within the text so the instruction and illustration are adjacent it greatly reduces the load on the builder - perhaps copy the technique used in the example I linked early in this thread.

In several places you say "do not over-tighten or under tighten the lock." without indicating how tight is correct: eg., "tighten the lock until it does not move when gently shaken but can be repositioned by light finger pressure" - would (if correct) be more understandable.

sometimes the pictures just turn out blurry due to preview and resolutions when you open them...

This happens when the website uses a standard size for previews/thumbnails.  Check the size they use, your browser should tell you in pixels, then make your detailed uploads a multiple of this size, eg. for Printables 320x240 format you might choose to upload at 960x720 giving enough detail when expanded but a simple division so that the preview doesn't have to chop and approximate pixels.

-and as this is a 3D visualisation of an existing work you should give some indication of the copyright status with reference to the original.

Cheerio,

so I can see exactly how the parts fit together without too much reading.

In one sense I agree, that's fine as long as it is just a simple fit-the-bits-together process but many larger projects are more complex than that especially when non printed parts are also involved.  Even a simple parametric component might involve several measurements and settings which must be explained before slicing...

Cheerio,

I am trying to designate my parts like they are on a model runner and write the instructions accordingly like your putting together a model kit. A video would be useful for marketing, but since I don't charge for my stuff and don't really need to spend $40 on shipping free filament, meh. Whatever.

One little bug I have found on the internet is sometimes the pictures just turn out blurry due to preview and resolutions when you open them...

There are so many different levels of users out there, that you need to cover most of your "customers".  In one job, any instructions had to be written as if a 5yr old was going to follow them.  This was for adults.  From my experience, this was a good lesson.  I personally hate video instructions.  I have downloaded many over the years and found that, for me, they are hard to follow and in some cases. created extra work since they were not available where I was working and required changing buildings to watch them. 

Not everyone has or will take the time to make it possible to watch a video where it is needed.  So, depending on what you are trying to make instructions for, think of where people might need to use them.  Basement, garage, parking pad, etc.  Again, think as if you are a kid doing the job and zero knowledge of the project.  Having a non-technical person review the documentation is a great suggestion.

Animate GIF images can be embedded into some documents.  That may work.

If you are doing mechanical drawings, you can explode the parts in a diagram.  I have done this in FreeCAD with Assembly 4 for some people.  

In contrast to public-username-required, I have seen many Arduino projects where diagrams, code and assembly worked perfectly in a printed document.  Many using Fritzing to generate their breadboard diagrams for the electronics.  I do agree again with public-username-required, some people cannot follow a diagram and need simple, single step instructions which are easy in a stop motion video.  In printable documentation, it just means more words and images.  A video is just a collection of stop motion frames.

One of my other models, the Dragontrack RC, surely needs a video to explain the machinist skills needed to assemble it, however its hardware requirement is enough that I think only a technical type would try to build it, so maybe it's OK.

I really do need to make videos, but they're free models and I don't want or need to make a profit off them. Otherwise I would sell the dragontrack files on Cults3d with a video to go with it, or I would talk to MMF about getting sales figures for Youmagine. (edit Most of the good paid RC stuff is on Cults3d).

I've thought about getting into Youtube... Making little shorts or something on my models. But I don't have the right gear and don't care enough.

I you just have a tricky step to illustrate within a text youtube isn't necessary - up to 15 seconds or so streaming is rather inefficient; just link to a video file, mp4 will do or webm, and have the client download and run it natively.  It doesn't need to be sophisticated, record a few takes then choose the most suitable and the only editing will be trimming to the best start and end points.

Here's an example from the link above showing how to free a particular bearing:

http://www.half-baked-idea.co.uk/3d/walker/images/pb.mp4

- If I was doing it again now I would probably put it on a secure server but I don't think there is any way to incorporate malware into such a short mp4 clip (and secure sites can be run by the bad guys too.)

Cheerio,

Pictures are worth a thousand words.   If there are too many words, think of how to add or edit the pictures to be clear.  Add arrows, circles and pointers  in the pictures to point out details.   If parts are black or dark, have light backgrounds in the pictures.  Use a sheet or something to make a photo backdrop.   Take extra pictures, you may need them as you build the instructions.   I also edit the pictures for size.  I reduce most to a width of 800 to 1500 pixels.  This keeps the document from becoming huge and keeps it easy to print.  

Videos are good if you have the means to edit, add pictures and so on.  In many cases it takes longer to produce the video correctly than doing step by step pictures.   I find with videos I have to pause and rewind a lot.   Avoid going on and on for no real reason, as a popular video site has made common.  

In the end I prefer good, step by step instructions with pictures.