How to do outlines of objects for User Manuals

Question

Hello everyone, I come to ask for your help once again.
At work sometimes I am editing User Manuals sent to us from factory that manufactures items we offer. We then do some slight adjustments to the manuals like language corrections, some outline graphics editing etc. I wonder, how are those outline graphics done? What would be the simplest way to do something like that. (Attachment)

Is that being drawn by hand in illustrator using a graphic tablet and using brush tool or something? I can not imagine doing something like that with the pen tool, that would take (me at least) ages.

Test Screen Name · Accepted Answer

These are engineering drawings, that might be hand drawn (yes, it is hard work, and that is the job of a specialist, working with the engineers). But more likely it is made with the design software used by the engineers - any project like this will have designs made in CAD software, and the CAD software can create projections and diagrams as needed. The CAD system is not a quick drawing, it is a key part of the design process, and will be used by manufacturing machinery to make the product. You should ABSOLUTELY NOT attempt to redraw these; you will not be technically accurate and you may cause errors or danger for which you are liable. Use only original manufacturer's work.

Monika Gause · Answer

They are done in different ways.

Some of those objects have been rendered from CAD data and then imported into Illustrator. Then you can add stuff such as the human figure interacting with these objects.

Others have been drawn based on templates (photos or sketches) and you do indeed use the pen tool for that - most of the time the pencil or brush would create lines that are too inaccurate for the purpose and would need many adjustments.

And of course techniocal documentation people have vast libraries of typical objects they use over and over.

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded