I'm looking for reviews or comments from anyone with information on creative-woodturner software. The mfg information is available at www.creative-woodturner.com
Thanks
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Woodturning design software
- Thread starter jwavem
- Start date
looks good. i see a problem ( for me) in that the dimensions shown look to be metric. i wonder if they have version in fractions.
Don't do it!
I'm a graphic designer by profession, and I will caution you against using software to assist you. I started tuning from designs I created on the computer and found that it really tied my hands. I have learned something new with every piece I have turned. I believe the longer you turn the more you will be able to do it intuitively. There are many teaching aids like books and tapes, and I highly recommend viewing the work of others. While a computer can be helpful with planing a segmented piece or something requiring a little geometry, for the most part it will probably restrict you.
I'm a graphic designer by profession, and I will caution you against using software to assist you. I started tuning from designs I created on the computer and found that it really tied my hands. I have learned something new with every piece I have turned. I believe the longer you turn the more you will be able to do it intuitively. There are many teaching aids like books and tapes, and I highly recommend viewing the work of others. While a computer can be helpful with planing a segmented piece or something requiring a little geometry, for the most part it will probably restrict you.
Caution
Before you buy software you have to decide what it is you want it to do for you. All software and the person using it, have limitations and opportunities.
Experience in 2D design can be a limiting factor when dealing with a 3D thinking. Intuition is fine but it is possible to produce an intuitively bad piece of design as well as good. Observing other turners work is fine too, it will enable you to copy very well. Think outside your box if you want to produce original ideas - software can help trigger this if it is ideas you are after. It is also possible to infinitely change objects before you commit yourself and your piece of wood. There is nothing to stop you working intuitively on the lathe but it is better to work with an idea than without one. It is not necessary to slavishly attemt to reproduce something envisaged with software (or conventional sketching) but software can provide starting points for new ideas and ways of working. A couple of recent experiments below contain ideas for development, it is not a requirement to produce the whole image as you see it. Each of these images have possiblities for turning and combining materials say metal wire or fibre material with a part turned part carved wood component. I have worked with this programme for about an hour and I can already see possibilities for further use in the development of design ideas. The program you have looked at will only be helpful in investigating fairly simple forms and applying a wood texture to the result - if that is what you need it should work fine for you but there are both cheaper and superior ways of doing this. Hope this is helpful in your decision making.
Before you buy software you have to decide what it is you want it to do for you. All software and the person using it, have limitations and opportunities.
Experience in 2D design can be a limiting factor when dealing with a 3D thinking. Intuition is fine but it is possible to produce an intuitively bad piece of design as well as good. Observing other turners work is fine too, it will enable you to copy very well. Think outside your box if you want to produce original ideas - software can help trigger this if it is ideas you are after. It is also possible to infinitely change objects before you commit yourself and your piece of wood. There is nothing to stop you working intuitively on the lathe but it is better to work with an idea than without one. It is not necessary to slavishly attemt to reproduce something envisaged with software (or conventional sketching) but software can provide starting points for new ideas and ways of working. A couple of recent experiments below contain ideas for development, it is not a requirement to produce the whole image as you see it. Each of these images have possiblities for turning and combining materials say metal wire or fibre material with a part turned part carved wood component. I have worked with this programme for about an hour and I can already see possibilities for further use in the development of design ideas. The program you have looked at will only be helpful in investigating fairly simple forms and applying a wood texture to the result - if that is what you need it should work fine for you but there are both cheaper and superior ways of doing this. Hope this is helpful in your decision making.
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Pics
Sorry text should read images in photo gallery aaw1 and aaw2
image aaw1
image aaw2
(edited by Jeff (moderator) to add links to photo gallery images)
Sorry text should read images in photo gallery aaw1 and aaw2
image aaw1
image aaw2
(edited by Jeff (moderator) to add links to photo gallery images)
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helps me
I have several (4) woodturning software programs, including this one. I find that I can play with design easier and faster than by pen. For those of us who have difficulty with porportions and flat spots in curves, this is great. I'm considering putting mine in the club library for demo purposes only.
I have several (4) woodturning software programs, including this one. I find that I can play with design easier and faster than by pen. For those of us who have difficulty with porportions and flat spots in curves, this is great. I'm considering putting mine in the club library for demo purposes only.
In my limited experience.... It's all good...
I think that any tool that can enhance our visualization is a good thing. Whether it's pen and paper, or "virtual reality" is beside the point. I think that much creativity begins in our mind anyway. I use a virtual design program every day, and find it a very cool thing to be able to tweak a design and catch mistakes, before it goes into production!
On the other hand...
Not that I think anyone is saying this, but I don't think that virtual reality ever substitutes for the actual hands on experience of making design decisions based on reading the wood, and making mistakes and having to correct or salvage a piece.
There has been many a time when I conceptualized a piece only to have it the plan trashed because the wood didn't co-operate or my skills just didn't match the conception. But, if all my pieces had turned out exactly as I first imagined them, I would bet many of them wouldn't have turned out nearly as well. Mistakes can bring out some of my best creativity... Probably because I have to let go of my perfectionism for a moment and go with the flow. I have to "read" the situation and make decisions based on the material at hand...
I think that any tool that can enhance our visualization is a good thing. Whether it's pen and paper, or "virtual reality" is beside the point. I think that much creativity begins in our mind anyway. I use a virtual design program every day, and find it a very cool thing to be able to tweak a design and catch mistakes, before it goes into production!
On the other hand...
Not that I think anyone is saying this, but I don't think that virtual reality ever substitutes for the actual hands on experience of making design decisions based on reading the wood, and making mistakes and having to correct or salvage a piece.
There has been many a time when I conceptualized a piece only to have it the plan trashed because the wood didn't co-operate or my skills just didn't match the conception. But, if all my pieces had turned out exactly as I first imagined them, I would bet many of them wouldn't have turned out nearly as well. Mistakes can bring out some of my best creativity... Probably because I have to let go of my perfectionism for a moment and go with the flow. I have to "read" the situation and make decisions based on the material at hand...
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Program question
Eddie: Is this software (Creative-Woodturner) metric only? If it is do you consider this a problem? I'm not very good with pencil and paper, so my main objective is help transferring ideas from my mind to hard copy. I also see the 3d feature as a real bonus. Thanks.
jwavem
Captain Eddie said:
Eddie: Is this software (Creative-Woodturner) metric only? If it is do you consider this a problem? I'm not very good with pencil and paper, so my main objective is help transferring ideas from my mind to hard copy. I also see the 3d feature as a real bonus. Thanks.
jwavem
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I'm using it in the metric mode and don't know if it switches. I do lots in metric because my calipers are metric and I have the balance of the gear to go that way. I often wish the US would have adopted the metric system when I was a kid. I see lots of mistakes made because people can't add, subrtract, multiply or divide fractions.
No kidding, Eddie. Who knew that 1/2 divided by 5/16 would equal 47/32 
Boy do I agree with this... It would be so much easier in my field if folks would convert.
But the thing you run into is the mentality shown by a certain shop foreman (who shall forever remain unamed) who told me once when I had no clue what he was referring to; "We ain't never done millimeters, and we ain't never gonna do millimeters. So just git that outa yer head."
All the while I was wondering "What the heck are you talking about?" I was just asking Newbie questions about the lineboring machine (which happens to have 32 millimeter spacing, unbeknownst to me).
So several months later I asked him... "If I have 10 pennies in my hand, how much is that?
"10 cents"
"And If I have 10 dimes in my hand, how much is that?"
"A dollar"
"So why is that hard? The metric system is just like that...."
I then retreated to the office as fast as I could....
I mean, who would divide a dollar by 1/16ths? Three sixteenths of a dollar is 18 and 3/4 cents. And 5/16ths of a dollar is 31 and a 1/4 cent.
Good grief! Let's just make it complicated! But I know all this because I work in decimal form of fractions all day. Your average laborer won't get this...
Ok... time to ditch this archaic system...
But the thing you run into is the mentality shown by a certain shop foreman (who shall forever remain unamed) who told me once when I had no clue what he was referring to; "We ain't never done millimeters, and we ain't never gonna do millimeters. So just git that outa yer head."
All the while I was wondering "What the heck are you talking about?" I was just asking Newbie questions about the lineboring machine (which happens to have 32 millimeter spacing, unbeknownst to me).
So several months later I asked him... "If I have 10 pennies in my hand, how much is that?
"10 cents"
"And If I have 10 dimes in my hand, how much is that?"
"A dollar"
"So why is that hard? The metric system is just like that...."
I then retreated to the office as fast as I could....
I mean, who would divide a dollar by 1/16ths? Three sixteenths of a dollar is 18 and 3/4 cents. And 5/16ths of a dollar is 31 and a 1/4 cent.
Good grief! Let's just make it complicated! But I know all this because I work in decimal form of fractions all day. Your average laborer won't get this...
Ok... time to ditch this archaic system...
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Now I'm sure I won't sit behind you in class and copy off your paper.
Apology
I would like to aplogise for posting two computer images in the photo section supporting my comments earlier in this thread I should have realised that only images of turned wood should be posted. I would also like to apologise to the two members of this Forum who seem to have taken offence at the comments I made.
I would like to aplogise for posting two computer images in the photo section supporting my comments earlier in this thread I should have realised that only images of turned wood should be posted. I would also like to apologise to the two members of this Forum who seem to have taken offence at the comments I made.
Creative woodturner
I have tried unsuccessfully to phone this company to get a definitive answer for you regarding the metric/imperial measurement systems. Both numbers in their ad here don't work. I phoned Woodturning (UK) magazine which is carrying the ad to try to get an alternative number. I was assured someone from the company would be contacted and phone me back. No luck and no reply. If you base after sales service on pre sales response good luck if you buy the program and then have a problem. Sorry I can't help you further. Maybe e-mailing them from their website www.creative-woodturner will get you the answers you need.
I have tried unsuccessfully to phone this company to get a definitive answer for you regarding the metric/imperial measurement systems. Both numbers in their ad here don't work. I phoned Woodturning (UK) magazine which is carrying the ad to try to get an alternative number. I was assured someone from the company would be contacted and phone me back. No luck and no reply. If you base after sales service on pre sales response good luck if you buy the program and then have a problem. Sorry I can't help you further. Maybe e-mailing them from their website www.creative-woodturner will get you the answers you need.
Metric and Imperial
Thanks for trying to contact the company. I found the answere. If you go to www.creative-woodturner.com click on "Print dimensioned plans" than click on "Personalisation" you will find that it's your choice either metric or imperial.
NOW I'm worried about your lack of response from this company. Please let me know if you hear from them.
Thanks again.
jwavem
Philip Streeting said:
Thanks for trying to contact the company. I found the answere. If you go to www.creative-woodturner.com click on "Print dimensioned plans" than click on "Personalisation" you will find that it's your choice either metric or imperial.
NOW I'm worried about your lack of response from this company. Please let me know if you hear from them.
Thanks again.
jwavem
Reassurance
Hi jwavem,
Seems I owe Creative Woodturning an apology! They phoned me late on Friday, it seems they have moved offices and have had problems with their phones and new numbers etc. Just shows one shouldn't make premature assumptions!
Good luck with trying software to assist your design work, it might take you some time to get to grips with it but it is worth the effort.
Regards
Philip
Hi jwavem,
Seems I owe Creative Woodturning an apology! They phoned me late on Friday, it seems they have moved offices and have had problems with their phones and new numbers etc. Just shows one shouldn't make premature assumptions!
Good luck with trying software to assist your design work, it might take you some time to get to grips with it but it is worth the effort.
Regards
Philip