We have all built kits of all types, from easy
to advance craftsman types. I would venture to say that about 70% of the
instructions I've seen have been bad or at least missing steps. The Ambroid
(ancient) instructions above come with a nice drawing and steps, but building
this car is far more complicated than it says here. With today's modern
technology there really isn't a good reason to have bad instructions. One
previous kit manufacturer told me it was the hardest part of the business for
him!
So, I poled several groups to find out what they like in instructions, what they don't like, what they would rather see, and how they would like them presented. Here is what we found out...
1. Visual instructions and photos are important. We get lost with long explanations and text, thus causing mistakes. Good pics are much easier to understand, and our world is becoming more and more visual each day.
2. Great photos of the finished model. It certainly helps to know what you are building. It also helps to see the finished model so you can decide how you want to treat the colors, the weathering, and the detail parts. Clear, colorful photos from all directions give you what you need. Often, I've had to go on line to see what someone else did because there were no kit photos, not even on the box!
3. Digital instructions. Having instructions on the web, a CD/DVD or a thumb drive can provide many photos and directions without filling the kit full of paper. It also allows you to enlarge and manipulate the model. Thumb drives are getting unbelievably cheap and could easily be included in a kit, though I've never seen this before. We'd like a kit manufacturer to have an instructions page to selected from. Having instructions online can also help me decide to buy a kit! Digital instructions can be updated on the fly, so if there is a problem with a kit or a better technique (or the paint manufacturer goes out of business) you can make the change. Digital only will save on the cost of the kit as printing can be expensive, but I think some customers won't like that. RR Kits has their instructions online.
4. Instructions online. While I prefer instructions in the kit, I do like online instructions. Maybe for no other reason than I spilled paint all over my kit copy and I need a backup.
5. Overcomplicated. Some instructions can be verbose and intimidating or have so many steps that they just aren't fun to build. Mine Mount Models has clear, easy instructions, written by Ron Klaiss who is rumored to be one of the best instruction writers.
6. We like a story! The readability of the text is important. We not only want to know that tab B goes in slot C, but what we are really building overall. BTS kit instructions have a story like quality, and can be quite lengthy, but the model will be amazing.
7. Drawings. The drawings need to be in scale when necessary, especially when building on the plans is expected. This is common with interior board by board walls, such as seen in FSM kits. Working off the plan with a scale rule to convert is problematic and a sure way to have an accident. Nasoj Slidder has seen dotted lines right through small parts where you can't tell if it is "over" or "under". Blurry drawings are a problem too.
8. Text. Folks are saying they like a font that is easy to read and large enough they don't have to go back and forth with reading glass while using magnifiers. Do not crowd too much text on a page, and don't try to save paper, per Jake Johnson. Leave nothing to chance when explaining because some skill modelers will do fine, but newer modelers may not understand.
9. Build in order. Skipping steps or jumping around in the instructions is very difficult to follow and a good excuse for a mistake. Always write like you are talking to a beginner. Glen Evans suggests Sierra West for great instructions.
10 Build along events. Matt Savage reminded me of this and it’s a great idea! I've been part of build-along events online with the Wiley Scale Model's Overtime at the Bench Podcast. We pick a kit and 16-20 of us buy it and we build a little on it each Monday evening. Great way to learn new skills and see things differently. Even better the video is captured, and you can review it before you start your model. Another benefit is that the kits are bought in large quantities so usually you can get a better price, free shipping or extra goodies.
11. Bad printing. I know the kit masters want to keep cost down, but printing the instructions is important. The print should be clear, crips and straight. Copies of copies of copies are blurry and messy. Color is always better, but I've never really need it much except for one color print of the finished model.
Observations:
Greg Cassidy says that after he builds a couple of kits from one manufacturer he mostly skims the later kits from the kit company for any oddities, and just plug along withour reading them.
What are your thoughts? Want to give a good kit maker props for their instructions? What would you like to see in kit instructions? You can post a comment below, or email scottgperry@comporium.net
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