PDA

View Full Version : Computer Design your turn



wheelinround
25th January 2008, 01:48 PM
http://www.creative-woodturner.com/index.php

Haven't downloaded it but had a read not bad

Can see its uses :2tsup:
and its pit falls

robutacion
25th January 2008, 05:46 PM
Hi wheelinround,

I downloaded the trial version, played a bit with it and I reckon is OK. I have other software programs (lots & lots of them) that allow me to design pretty much anything I can think of, this one is the first one dedicated to wood turning, only. I have 10 days to play with, and decide what I will do with it, purchase it or dump it!:?

Cheers
RBTCO

hughie
25th January 2008, 06:06 PM
Have thought about several times, but never got around to doing anything about it. Could not quite make up my mind if I needed it or not.

RBTCO, are you gonna put your review up for all to see?

Mulgabill
25th January 2008, 07:51 PM
Hey wheelinround!

I had a quick look at 3D Design Pro some time ago and it appears good value for money.
Check it out here. For memory a trial version was available. http://www.woodturnerpro.com/index.html

robutacion
26th January 2008, 03:48 AM
Hi all,

wheelinround, that's another program that I didn't know about. I have downloaded the Suite Package (all 3 programs), and I have no time yet to play with it. As far as I can see, at this initial stage, the Wood turner Pro is a lot more sophisticated then Creative Wood turner, and seems to specialise more on segmented turning, which Creative WT doesn't have. I had around one hour playing with Creative Wood turning, and I'm surprised of its simplicity, or maybe is just me, being familiar with designing programs like kitchen design, etc. Nevertheless for normal (solid timber) wood turning, the Creative Wood turning program,(10 days trial) looks to be simple enough for everyone to work with. The Wood turner Pro, looks also promising, from the readings I done about it while downloading so,(30 days trial) as soon as I have a chance, I will give it a go and see...!

hughie, "RBTCO, are you gonna put your review up for all to see?"
Well, if you would like me to, I have no problems with it, I need to give it a few runs to both programs, which I will do anyway, because I'm interested also, I can then give some examples and a better view on their functionality and user friendly characteristics. Both programs are very affordable (compare with these type of programs 5 or 10 years ago!) I believe these programs can be as addictive as wood turning itself, and is nothing wrong with it. As I mention previously, I used/use these type of programs to built/create lots of other things, never used them for wood turning, but that is going to change soon. Not that I have run out of ideas for my "free" style turning, nor I'm going ever to stop enjoying to put a blank in the lathe, and start cutting, with no specific order and or design, just following the wood natural beauties and faults, not been concern how or what it end-up being in the end...! With this said, I can see myself changing a few things in the near future. Some will be, voiding the hot weather in the shed, by being in the cool house creating my next piece(s) with one of these programs, and try to match the design with the blanks I got ready for turning, dry or green. These programs don't teach you how to turn, and that's fair enough, but I believe will be as exciting to turn a blank regardless if you already have all the dimensions and even how is going to look like! You can always select the blank first and then design something you believe you are going to be able to get out of it. Is not going to be always possible, but this way you will take a new approach to each log, differently than before. The expertise and experience necessary to create a piece from what the blank gives you, is in no way different than make the blank produce the piece you have designed for it.
I'm quite happy to do both, and I can see some nice creations coming from the computer room into the wood turning shed, Yeah!

By the way, my first go at the Creative Wood turning Program, resulted in a creation of a different style goblet, which I matched with the wood I'm going to use (Cyprus Pine). I printed the working design with all measurements etc, and it didn't take me long to work out how to print the 3D picture, with as many frames (positions) as I want, one pic per page or as many as I want on that same single page. This is not a feature of the program, I just made it to be for when I need it. Cool huh?:B

I have attached the pic with 4 frames in it, and my next project, maybe tomorrow?

Cheers
RBTCO

robutacion
28th January 2008, 03:53 PM
Hi everyone,

Now that I had some time, to play with both programs, I find myself in a better position to give my preference to "Creative Woodturning", based on the principals of, user friendly, easy to understand and operate. One of the grate advantages of this program, is that the library (which Woodturner Pro doesn't have, at all), gives access to important modules(samples) that you can use as a starting point. Also part of the library is a complex and very useful number of timber species, (you can add more if you want), to allow you to match it, or closest to, the timber you are going to use. In general, for any turning type that doesn't include (segmenting), Creative WoodTurning is indeed a much simpler and effective way of having you creating your "masterpiece" in no time.

In relation to the other option, "WoodTurner Pro", this is a lot more complicated to work with. Firstly, there are 3 programs that need to be downloaded to have the full package, WoodTurner Pro - 3D Design Pro - Lamination Pro, this one left me with a bad taste in my mouth when I was asked to download Microsoft.Net Framework 2.0, so that the program could operate properly. Microsoft.Net Framework just messes-up my computer badly, and it has been always a problem maker, but I am confident to remove it at any time, so I done what I was asked. After the 3 downloads were complete, I started by opening each one and see its functions with the assistance of the help files. This was when I really became aware of its complexity and most certainly not easy friendly, by any means. The only one that I could make some sense of, was the 3D Design Pro, but after a solid 3 hours with it, I was still not able to do what I did with the Creative Woodturning, in less than 20 minutes. The 3D working window on the 3D Design Pro, is a lot bigger with some nice movement functions, but that was all. I couldn't make any sense of WoodTurning Pro, and the Lamination Pro, is just a nightmare.

In resume, unless you want to get into the deep end of segmented turning and lamination, and taking the time to learn (understand) the program properly, I would expect 80 hours of training before one is able to operate these programs properly, then you will be a lot better served with the simplicity and user friendly of the Creative Woodturning.

NOTE: My opinions on this review where based on my experience and understanding of these type of designing software, only. There are no financial interests or special privileges to either of the Software Programs mentioned.

Hope this helps
PS: I just finish to order the paid version of Creative Turning:2tsup:

Cheers
RBTCO