Technical Tools Used for Technical Writing

Technical Writing comprises different types of tools that are used in document creation. Following is the categorization of Technical tools or Applications. Word Processors are more important for technical Writer than any other tools therefore competency with tools is important.

Technical Communication is the field where Technical knowledge is important with verbal and written communication therefore it is called technical communication. Technical communication is the communication of technology or new product with intended audience/users with the help of documentation.

To create new documents, technical writer must be comfortable with tools along with verbal and written communication. Technical writer should have skills of writing, editing and designing the document. Technical Writer must know the tools like publishing tools, help tools, web tools and graphic tools that are used for creating documents, manuals and online help etc. Technical Writer might not understand complicated software in short time but should be serious to learn necessary software tools that are used to create documents.

Categorization of technical Tools or Applications

Word Processing tools - Word processing tools are the basic tools of the industry. The tools are used for processing words and performing different actions or tasks with words, in short called formatting the document. Microsoft Word, Adobe Framemaker, Interleaf, Arbortext, Pagemaker etc are the word processing tools. Adobe FrameMaker and MS Word are the most requested tools in industry. These tools are used to create document including images and text. Word Processors are different than the Desktop publishing tools, image capturing tools and image editing tools. In word processor you can only type the text and format it as per the standards and specifications laid by clients.

These tools are used to format and create documents or manuals. Microsoft Word is used to create the document up to hundred pages and Framemaker is used to create document above hundred pages. Both tools have more or less similar features for example formatting elements, inserting graphics, tables, tools etc. Technical Writer Puts the information of product in simple language and formats it so that the document can be printed as soon as it completes. Technical writer must understand how to use features of tools e.g. format, graphics, macros, indexing, style, conditional text etc. PageMaker generally used for small documentation projects. It has more features of graphics and layout than word processors.

Image Capturing Tools - Image capturing tool means the tool that is used to capture image or to take the snap shot of image. While documentation technical writer needs to insert images in document for better understanding. The images or pictures of the product, graphs, tables, different views of product etc can be captured with the help of image capturing tool. SnagIt is the better option that is used by many organizations. This application has various capturing features. Scrolling Web pages and Microsoft word pages can be captured with the help of this tool. SnagIt tool is used mostly to capture image and to perform some basic tasks on it but SnagIt has some limitations. This tool won’t provide you the options that are available in Photoshop and Illustrator.

Desktop Publication Tools - Desktop Publication tools are also called Designing tools. These tools are not widely used by technical writer but knowledge of these tools can be an added advantage. Technical Writer is not expected professional graphic designer but basic knowledge of graphic designing tools can help in the work. Adobe Indesign, QuarkXpress, Pagemaker etc. these tools are mainly recognized as Desktop Publication Applications. Desktop Publishing tools are mainly used to design the Advertisements that are published in newspaper and magazines. These tools are different than the word processors. You can prepare documents with the help of designing applications but these tools are more comfortable to design an Ad. These tools are mainly used by newspaper industry.

Image Editing Tools -Image editing tools are used to perform different types of actions on image. Image editing tools are used to edit an image. Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Paint Shop Pro are the tools that are used to edit an image. Photoshop is the industry standard image editing program for professional Raster graphics and other digital art. In image editing tools images are edited for color, size and some other things.

Online Help Tools - Online help is a kind of documentation that is not meant for print but to integrate that help in Software or any application. RoboHelp is the most requested tool in software industry. RoboHelp is used to create online help for any application. RoboHelp is consisted with various output formats such as HTML Help WebHelp, JavaHelp, and OracleHelp etc. This kind of help goes with product as it is integrated with it. This tool is also used to create web pages.

Web Tools - Web Tools are related to programming that you must be familiar with. Technical writer must have the knowledge of the programming language that is used to create documents on the World Wide Web. Web tools are Front Page, Home site, Cold Fusion and Dream Weaver. Front Page and Dream Weaver are the most requested programs and both are alternative to each other’s.

Above categorization of technical tools will certainly help new learners to distinguish various technical tools.