Does Visual Instructor™ come with a photo editor or photo editing tools?

Answer: No need, Windows comes with simple photo editors using PowerPoint^® or Photo Editor (Microsoft Office^® 2000). These are two approaches that will help greatly.

Can PowerPoint be used as a photo editor?

Answer: Yes, we highly recommend it! If you right hand click on a PowerPoint^® slide and import your photo as a background, you can very easily add clip art, arrows and dialog boxes into the slide and then save it as a .jpg and insert the .jpg into Visual Instructor™. Most of our customers use PowerPoint^® as their photo editor.

Does Visual Instructor™ need other software packages to work?

Answer: No. It is a stand-alone software package.

Do you need VI software to see the files once they have been created?

Answer: No. This is one of the greatest features of Visual Instructor™. It produces PDF files. All PCs typically have PDF readers. So every computer anywhere can read them, whether PC or MAC. PDF’s can also be password protected (encrypted) in the software to make sure your files are secure.

Can you send files to other locations by e-mail?

Answer: Yes. Since it is a PDF, it can be attached to any e-mail and sent any place in the world and the receiver can open them without using Visual Instructor™.

How large are the files when you produce the PDF file?

Answer: It is typical PDF size. The file is as minimal sized as possible. The electronic images are reduced by the software to make sure the file size stays as minimal as possible.

Do PDF readers have a “presentation slide show mode” like PowerPoint^®?

Answer: Yes, it’s typically the “Full Screen” feature, which operates the same as PowerPoint^®‘s slide show mode and can be used on monitors and tablets as well as paper in notebooks or presentation notebooks.

Does Visual Instructor™ allow other formats besides .jpg pictures?

Answer: Yes. It will automatically receive .jpg’s, .png’s, and gif’s.

How do you capture computer screen shots to use in VI?

Answer: Any computer screen and be copied by using the PRINT SCREEN feature. They can be pasted into PowerPoint^® and saved in a .jpg, .png or .gif format. Other methods like the MS “snipping tool” works very well to get the area desired on the screen.

Do you have to format your electronic pictures to a special size for Best results in Visual Instructor™?

Answer: Visual Instructor™ is set up for all electronic camera image sizes. But best results are the universally 3×4 ratio horizontally or wide screen 16×9. If you trim the picture for a more accurate detail, it’s best to crop the picture in that same ratio. PowerPoint^® allows you to click on 3×4 or 16×9 formatting for perfect sizing. Visual Instructor™ will pull the picture to the edges of the formatted box in the final Visual Work Instruction.

How does Visual Instructor™ create it’s own files?

Answer: Yes. They are like any other stand alone software package that creates their own file. They can be recalled to be modified when changes are made in the process. VI produces up to three printable files in the software:

• the basic Visual Instructor™ file extension is *.soe
• the printable Work Instruction file extension is *.pdf
• An automatic Sequence of Events (SOE) file is also a *.pdf, for process improvement purposes (allowing you to list the 7 wastes, TAKT times, Value added, set up and work, etc.,)

What is an OMS, a VWI or a VMS?

Answer: An OMS is an “Operational Method Sheet”. A VMS is a “Visual Method Sheet” and is based on the 5S of Six Sigma Methods. A VWI is a Visual Work Instruction which is common name for employees to identify what it is. They are all the same thing, just different names in the industry. The output of Visual Instructor™ is a true Operational Method Sheet, Visual Work Instruction or Visual Method Sheet, whichever term you prefer to use.

Why are electronic images so important when used with Visual Instructor™?

Answer: As the old saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” so showing it is better than just telling it. To loosely quote Forrest Gump, “Worker does as worker sees!” It is reported to us repeatedly that pictured instructions automatically raise quality and lessen worker training. This is one of the basic theories used by Lean Manufacturing experts. What they see is far better than what they know.

Brain analysts at University of Oxford’s Department of Experimental Psychology were asked, “How do visual instructions influence the motor system?” Their reply was, “We saw direct correlation of visual cues to motor skills responses.” In other words, using visual aids combined with instructions creates a consistency in motor skills. There is a great lesson and a possible mandate to include visual cues with instructions for product build.

How do I learn to use Visual Instructor™?

Answer: We have provided on our website a “Training” Tab that walks you through the process. It’s a very easy software package to use. We demonstrate both the basic features and the advanced features. If you should have any problems or questions, you may also call and we will assist you over the phone.

Can I get an example file of a PFD produced by us?

Answer: Yes. Just click on any of our visual examples and download the desired file. Print it on your printer for a real example for presentation purposes.

How many pages am I allowed in one file of Visual Instructor™?

Answer: As many pages as you desire. There is no limit to how many sheets you may produce. Some users find it prudent to create segment breaks to help with management of the file and modifications, etc. If you add or subtract steps for improvement purposes, it affects all the steps following the correction. If the file is large, when you print it, you may have to print several sheets to include the modification. Breaking it down to smaller files helps reduce the need for repeated printing when the file is modified. Or, before you print, select the page numbers affected to print.

Do Lean Manufacturers and Six Sigma Users use this type of software?

Answer: Lean/Flow and Six Sigma manufacturers see the wisdom in useing graphical instructions to depict work to be done. We have just automated it for easier use and handling.

How are these PDF output files used in manufacturing?

Answer: The process for each “work station” is put in a presentation notebook, monitor, tablet or sheet placed or hung at the work station. They are also used as a reference manual for computer users, instructions for lock out, security, repair, etc., as well as factory build processes.

Can this software be used in other areas besides manufacturing?

Answer: Yes, if there is a process, Visual Instructor™ works well.