Procedure to create tooltip images

This entry provides a summary of procedures used to create the ODOP tooltip images.

Additional documentation of tooltip image work can be found in GitHub issues / branches 897:
Add images to variable name tooltips #897
and 925:
Add more images to variable name tooltips #925

From issue 897:

Design guidelines for tooltip images

• images to be 160 pixels wide by minimum height necessary to get the job done
• spring images to correspond with design type (compression, extension, torsion)
• use the initialState spring dimensions (proportions) with reduced coil count as basis for rendered images
• coil count should be an integer (not fractional); perhaps 3 or 4
• to the extent possible, keep spring dimensions, orientation, coil count, etc. consistent between tooltip images
• to the extent practical, avoid or reduce text in the image
• use rendered spring images (FreeCAD rendering of imported IGES files?)
• green witness lines; turquoise dimension lines
• rendered spring images to be gray
• if multiple springs in one image, use light gray to distinguish the "for reference" instances
• Use open arrows to illustrate forces, curved open arrows for moments; size of arrows to reflect relative size of force

Example images

Procedure

• Use an image editor. Most of the first generation images were manipulated with Windows 11 Paint.
• As appropriate, capture a base image of a helix. Convert to gray if necessary. Scale to roughly 500-600 pixels wide. Arbitrary height.
• Make desired annotations
• Save as large (_lg suffix) version
• Scale to 160 pixels wide, corresponding height
• Save as regular tooltip size (no suffix)

Place the images in (for example): /public/designtypes/Spring/<type>/tooltips/