MIL-STD-38784 Manuals, Technical: General Style And Format RequirementsThis standard covers the general style and format requirements for the preparation of standard Technical Manuals \(TM\) and changes thereto intended for military applications. This includes all technical documents assigned a TM identification number and controlled by a TM management information system, or subject to requisition from an inventory control point. This standard provides for Standard Generalized Markup Language \(SGML\) Document Type Definition \(DTD\) usage \(see Appendices B through E\) required for electronic data delivery, including PDF. This standard supplements the performance of detail specifications used for specific TM types and related publications, but does not deliver any technical data. Unless specified otherwise herein, the examples at the end of this standard are typical and may be adapted to fit the specific equipment or situation being covered. All appendices are intended for compliance when applicable.

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MIL-STD-38784A

4.6.17.1 Darkness and sharpness of lines. The darkness and sharpness of lines shall be suficient to reproduce

clearly at required reproduction size without additional treatment (see igures 24 and25). Secondary lines, such

as those used to indicate extensions or measurements, shall be lighter but strong enough to reproduce clearly

at reproduction size. Shading may be used to give substance and form to the item depicted, to sharpen the

contrast between the subject and its background or to increase effectiveness. Shadows shall be used only

when necessary to provide a clear understanding of form, shape or depth. Shading effects shall not be used

for decorative purposes. Accented lines may be used to emphasize detail. Lines, crosshatching, or mechanical

patterns used for coding shall remain clearly deined when reduced to reproduction size (see igure 26).

Print presentation: Parallel lines on wiring and schematic diagrams shall in no case be less than 1/16-inch

apart when reduced to printed size (see igure 27).

4.6.17.2 Designations. diagrams, and symbols. Designations, diagrams, graphic symbols and letter symbols

shall be consistent with industry standards. New designator, diagrams and symbols may be used if they are

explained in the manual s Foreword/Preface/Introduction. Acquiring activity approval is required before any

new designator, diagrams or symbols are used.

4.7 Changes. When speciied (see 6.2.bh.), the change package shall conform to the format of the basic

manual, and shall incorporate all approved information (e.g. engineering change proposals, ship alterations,

ordnance alterations, machine alterations, ield changes, etc.) See 3.2.26). The changes shall also incorporate

all advanced change notices and resolution of outstanding deiciencies.

(F) Electronic presentation: See 4.8 for electronic manual requirements.

4.7.1 Changes to cover and title page. The cover and title page/screen of unclassiied manuals shall be

updated to relect the current Distribution Statement (see 4.5.1.11).

4.7.2 Changes to PTMs and FRC. Preparation shall conform to the style and format used in the basic manual.

4.7.2.1 Numbering of changes. Each change to a manual shall be numbered or lettered, as speciied by the

acquiring activity (see 6.2.bj.), in sequence and dated. Identiication of changes after each revision of

a manual shall begin over again with number 1 or letter A as applicable. Unless otherwise speciied

the change date shall be the date at which the material to be included was received, the copy freeze

date. See 6.2.bi. and 4.2.9.

4.7.2.2 Numbering of added material. Print presentation: When paragraphs/illustrations/tables/pages are

added by a change, existing paragraphs/illustrations/tables/pages shall be renumbered. If this involves

renumbering more than 10 paragraphs or will affect more than ive pages, the following method shall be

used. Except when added at the end of a sequence, in which case the next consecutive number shall be

used, paragraphs shall be numbered by adding an alpha character (e.g. 2.4A, 2.4B, 2.4.1A, etc.), to the

preceding paragraph number (see igure 6). Added illustrations/tables/pages shall be numbered by adding a

decimal (e.g. igure 3-2.1, page 3-26.1, etc.). When it is necessary to add an illustration/table/page between

items which have already been added by the preceding method, an alpha character shall be used (e.g. a

page added between 3-26.2 and 3-26.3 would be 3-26.2A). Pages shall not be added between a right-hand

(odd numbered) and a left-hand (even numbered) page. When new material is to be added to a right-hand

page, any overrun shall be carried to the left-hand page. The overrun from the left-hand page shall be

placed on the added page. Where material is to be added to a right-hand page (e.g. 2-5) and adequate

blank space is available on the preceding left-hand page (e.g. 2-4), material at the top of 2-5 shall be

moved to the bottom of 2-4 and the new material added to 2-5.

(F) Electronic presentation: Unless otherwise speciied by the acquiring activity (see 6.2.bk.), paragraphs,

illustrations and tables shall be renumbered when added to existing technical data.

4.7.2.3 Difference Data Sheets. (F) (M) (N) When speciied (see 6.2.bl.), Difference Data Sheets shall be

used to provide information on additional models of equipment which constitute minor changes from the

basic design. Separate Difference Data Sheets shall be prepared for each additional model covered. The irst

page/screen of the Difference Data Sheets shall conform generally to igure 28.

(F) Electronic presentation: Difference Data Sheets shall be contained in their own scrollable view.

4.7.2.3.1 Format. See igure 29. Print presentation: