How to Create the Perfect GrabCAD Tutorial

Sylvia Daly

25 Jul, 2019 04:21 PM

GrabCAD Tutorials have some exciting new features I want to make sure you're aware of. I'll also recap a few overall best practices for creating and publishing a Tutorial so you get the most out of sharing your Tutorial.

1. Step 1: Write a Good Headline

   Like any content piece, the headline you choose should be EYE CATCHING. It should be so engaging that GrabCAD Community members can’t help but want to click it. And because it’s a Tutorial, it should also clearly state what your tutorial is about.

   
   

   For example: How to Color Proof Your 3D Prints (Using This Super-Secret Stratasys Website)

   
   

   

   
   

   A SECRET Stratasys website? There’s no way you can browse through the Community, see that, and not click.

   
   

2. Step 2: Write a Good Summary

   If you’re not able to mix catchy with informative in your headline, the Tutorial description is your second chance to attract Community members. 

   A good summary will be:

   
   

   
   

   • Intriguing: write a good teaser for what amazing tips you’re about to share.
   • Informative: mention what tools you’re using and how members can apply it.
   • Quick: remember, your summary is a teaser – NOT the entire Tutorial. One to three sentences should cover it.

   
   

   A great summary example is from FredSWUG! 

   

   He not only clearly explains what the Tutorial is going to cover, but how you can apply it to your own rendering projects.

   
   

   
   

3. Step 3: How to Use Steps

   I am so excited to announce that the Steps feature has been upgraded to function as “Section Headers with Jump Links.” 

   
   

   What does this mean?

   
   

   Moving forward, use Steps in the same great way you’ve been using (to clearly outline your process) but know that readers will now be able to navigate through your Tutorial – aka, “jumping back and forth” between sections.

   
   

   That’s right, no more scrolling through Tutorials trying to find the section you’re interested in. Now, you’ll be able to switch between different sections. 

   
   

   My hope is that this improves user experience for Tutorials that are very long. For example: A set of guidelines to design a concept car

   
   

   

   
   

   If you’re at the top of the tutorial and want to quickly jump to Step 2, you simply have to click on the Step in the section module and it’ll jump to that area of the page.  

4. Step 4: Use Images and Videos

   We highly encourage using images or videos! Some members are visual learners and media elements help them grasp the processes you’re covering.

5. Step 5: Pay Attention to Layout

   Let’s all say this out loud: bulleted-lists and numbered-lists are your friends!

   A lot of the Tutorials in the Community are super complex; as a result, readers can get lost in the text if a paragraph is over four sentences.

   
   

   So, make sure you’re chopping the content up with:

   
   

   • Shorter paragraphs
   • Lists
   • Images 

   
   

   This will help readers easily digest what they’re reading.

   
   

6. Step 6: Keep "Search" in Mind

   Community members often come to Tutorials to find a specific topic. So make sure you’re utilizing the Category and Software fields. 

   
   

   You can get even more specific with what printer the Tutorial is for or which tools to use with the Tag feature. 

   
   

   For example, if I’m looking for PolyJet Tutorials, I should be able to type in PolyJet and have all the relevant Tutorials pop up because they were tagged as PolyJet tutorials.

   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

7. Step 7: Conclusion

   By following these best practices and using the new features, you will be on your way to creating the PERFECT GrabCAD Tutorial. 

   
   

   Have more ideas for Tutorials features we should add? Message me or Kesa, the Community Manager!