Alex Brown asked about software for depicting pictures of experiments. I
use two methods to depict apparatus and other pictorial aspects of
experiments.
(1) Long ago I bought 2-D drafting software. Before getting that, I had a
drawing table complete with drawing machine, so I was a reasonably competent
draftsman. The computer software really speeded things up and did not take
long for me to learn. Today, most drafting software can output JPG or TIF
or "window placeable metafiles" that can be imported into MSWord or other
word processors. Some also can put drawings in MSWord using an OLE
connection.
I've used various flavors over the years. Right now I use Visual Cadd which
is outstanding, but has grown from a $99 program to a several-hundred-dollar
program. I have been able to get inexpensive updates, but it is difficult
for me to recommend that a person who does occasional drafting would want to
spend several hundred for the initial investment. For those that ask about
drafting software that is not expensive, I recommend they check-out the
academic discounts for TurboCadd-14 from IMSI (about $140). I have
TurboCadd, but don't use it because I like Visual Cadd better, but TurboCadd
is pretty good. If you need 3-D and rendering, also check out Rhino-4
(academic about $150) from Rhinocerous.
(2) I use digital photography, but am aware of the "clutter" problems that
Alex mentioned. Basically you fix this problem with good photography and
labeling. In my opinion, if you intend to use a point-and-shoot digital
camera, and don't intend to do special lighting, forget it. I use a
digital-SLR (currently Nikon D70). Although I might include a photo of the
entire apparatus, it is important to frame just the component I am trying to
explain. I always use available light or aim additional lights; I never use
the on-camera flash. Unless you have multiple pro-flash units with flood
lights so you can see all the shadows and fix them before you take the shot,
don't use flash. On-camera flash produces more problems than it fixes.
I have been a photographer for over 40 years, buying my first SLR 35mm
camera when I was 15 years old. So I am a pretty good photographer. That
makes a load of difference right from the start. You have to visualize,
then be able to get, the shot you want to communicate. Although some
experimental setups are simple enough that I can just hold the camera, use
room lights, and take the shot, many times I use a tripod, extra lights, and
"stage" the shot. That's the way the pro-photographers would do it, and
that's what you need to do if you want clear uncluttered photographs. As
you set it up and view it through the camera, you can spot things that need
moved because they clutter the picture.
Then I use editing software (I use Photoshop C3) to further fix and annotate
the photo. You can add text and arrows to point out anything you want to
point out. You can also darken or lighten various items to downplay them or
highlight them.
Finally I save the photo as a JPG and insert it into the word processor as a
"figure" because almost all word processing programs can import a JPG. I
must use MSWord for a lot of university stuff because that's the official
word processor for our campus. But I do not use MSWord for my lab handouts
because MSWord, in my opinion, does not integrate pictures, figures, and
captions nearly as well as Corel's WordPerfect.
In summary...
(A) Sometimes a photo is best, sometimes a drawing is best.
(B) With either method, put some thought into what you are trying to show
and how best to show it.
(C) If taking a photo, be prepared to stage the shot with good lighting.
When viewing the shot through the camera, take time to move extraneous
things out of the picture. Choose your angle and distance carefully.
Getting closer and using "tight framing" is usually better. Don't use flash
unless you have multiple flash units and know how to position them.
(D) Get the photo into photo-editing software for touch-up and possibly
annotation.
(E) When you merge the photo/drawing with the text, don't let it be too
small. I often use a quarter page or even a half-page.
Michael D. Edmiston, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry and Physics
Bluffton University
1 University Drive
Bluffton, OH 45817
419.358.3270
edmiston@bluffton.edu