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Segmented bowl software recommendation

Michael McNally

Michael McNally

Joined
Dec 11, 2023
Messages
10
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9
Location
Westford, MA
I have never turned a segmented bowl but I will do so soon. I have a wedgie sled with a range of wedgies built and ready to go into action sitting on my table saw. I want to choose some segmentation design software and begin there.

I found some older forum same asks on this subject but they are either "old" or "out of date" or "not very informative".

There seems to be a long list of choices for free and paid for. The popular candidates I have found and looked at so far:

0. Paper, pencil and calculator.
1. Segmented Project Planner (http://www.segmentedturning.com/)
2. Segment Pro (https://woodturnerpro.com/)
3. Woodturner Pro (https://woodturnerpro.com/)
4. Segmented turning designer (https://cdelker.bitbucket.io/segbowl/)
5. APP (https://worldwidewoodturners.org/designing-a-segmented-project/)
6. Blocklayer (https://www.blocklayer.com/woodturning-segmentseng)
7. JMP (https://www.blocklayer.com/woodturning-segmentseng)
8. Marley (https://larrymarley.com/online_tools.php)
9. Woodturners (http://www.woodturnersresource.com/extras/projects/segmentcalc/)
10. All the other ones out there that I missed that might be better!

So, not considering cost, which one is best one? Easy to learn and effective. I would rather pay for something that is effective and easy to use than getting something free that is clunky. You know, time is money. With that said, I am not apposed to free. :)

I am leaning towards Woodturner Pro.

Would love to hear your opinions on what you like and why.

Thanks,
Mike
 
Another vote for Lloyd Johnson's suite of programs (Woodturner Pro, Segment Pro, and 3D Design Pro). I have dabbled with several of the other software packages on your list and keep comin back to Lloyd's products.
 
Wow, everyone agrees! When does that ever happen in life? :) Woodturner Pro it is! Thank you guys for feedback! I am feeling really good about investing my time and money to heading down this path.
 
Michael McNally said:
Wow, everyone agrees! When does that ever happen in life? :) Woodturner Pro it is! Thank you guys for feedback! I am feeling really good about investing my time and money to heading down this path.
Click to expand...
Awesome Michael! You will really enjoy segmenting and the creative process it involves. Be sure to get some advice from expert segmenters and maybe join the segmentedwoodturners.org like Gene recommended.
Also if you really need help, @Russ Braun will gladly help you, (right Russ haha!) He is a nice guy and a magnificent segmenter.
 
Gabriel Hoff said:
Awesome Michael! You will really enjoy segmenting and the creative process it involves. Be sure to get some advice from expert segmenters and maybe join the segmentedwoodturners.org like Gene recommended.
Also if you really need help, @Russ Braun will gladly help you, (right Russ haha!) He is a nice guy and a magnificent segmenter.
Click to expand...
Thanks Gabriel! I just this minute joined segmentedwoodturners.org.
 
I use #1, purchased 12-15 yrs ago, based on cost. It works well but doesnt have all the capabilities of the software others picked.

I’m posting to say, while there are more “manual” ways to do segment design, its worth the $ to get a software pkg. It really aids and simplifies the process.
 
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