For collective setup. I try to set up the mechanics and the servo relationship in conjunction with the pitch curve trimmers for linear collective response. In other words, I want the entire range of the collective stick motion to have the same feel with regards to control response. The way I accomplish this is as follows.
Determine the maximum collective range that you desire for your particular model, skill level or flight profile. For instance, for F3C I use -6 deg. to +12 deg. for a range of 18 deg. total. Determine the "center" of this range by dividing the total range by 2 for 9 deg. and subtract this from the maximum positive setting for a "center" of +3 degrees. Likewise, for a range of -10 deg. to + 12 deg. (typical 3D) the center would be +1 degree.
Next place a servo wheel on the collective servo such that when the collective stick is in the center and the curve trimmer is at 50% for this point and the ATV's are 100%, the output hole is 90 deg. with relationship to the pushrod. (If the collective system has an intermediate push / pull bellcrank then set this up so that it is in neutral as outlined before.) Now adjust the next component of the collective mechanism (collective arm or tilting servo) so that it is in the center of it's mechanical travel or "neutral". With this done, adjust the next component, usually the swashplate (or collective mixer for fixed swashplate models) to the center of it's mechanic travel.
For the rotor head, adjust the washout mixer (for the flybar) so that the mixer arms and the flybar control arms are neutral (level) and roughly set the paddles for 0 degrees. (Fixed swashplate models: adjust the rods from the swashplate to the flybar arms etc.) Now install the blades and adjust the rods for the bell / hiller mixers so that they are neutral (level) when the blades indicate the "center" of the pitch range. Make sure the mixers are configured so that they will provide the desired pitch range. Rotate the blades to each 90 degree position around the machine and check to see if the swashplate is in neutral. (It is if there is no pitch change at the blade.) Now set the paddles so that they have 0 degrees in them.
Now for setting the pitch curves. Set the over all servo wheel size and ATV for pitch by checking to see that you realise the range that you are setting up for. If the range is too large or too small adjust the servo wheel size or ATV's. Try to keep the ATV's close to 100% to 110% for the best servo resolution and power. (For multiple flight condition radios like the 9Z, carry the ATV settings over to all flight conditions.) Use the collective curve adjustments to set each flight mode to have the desired low, mid and high points. Use the point trimmers to make each pitch curve follow a straight line between these points. For a two speed setup you will want to de-pitch the mid point for the idle up modes.
As you can see, the process starts at the servo and travels throught the system to the blades and finishes with the radio setup.