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Adobe Illustrator, QuarkXpress, and Corel Draw

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Steve Hooley

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I have explored some of the past discussions on woodturning design and use of software programs. It seems there was a lot of discussion 5 - 6 years ago, but not much recently, other than discussion of 3 D modeling programs, such as Sketchup. Is anyone using Adobe Illustrator, QuarkXpress, or Corel Draw? I would love to hear your thoughts on the use of those programs for designing profiles, coming up with ideas, refining design before turning, etc.

Steve Hooley
 
Steve Hooley said:
I have explored some of the past discussions on woodturning design and use of software programs. It seems there was a lot of discussion 5 - 6 years ago, but not much recently, other than discussion of 3 D modeling programs, such as Sketchup. Is anyone using Adobe Illustrator, QuarkXpress, or Corel Draw? I would love to hear your thoughts on the use of those programs for designing profiles, coming up with ideas, refining design before turning, etc.

Steve Hooley
Click to expand...

I am not familiar with Corel Draw, but I have used Adobe Illustrator a bit to occasionally create scalable vector graphics. I have never thought of it from the perspective as a drawing program. I do not think it would be a good choice.

I am not a QuarkXpress user, but I have always thought of it as a DTP program and not as drawing software although I suppose that it could be made to do it, just as Visio can be used to draw electronic diagrams (I have done it) although it works better for flow diagrams and office layout arrangements for pitch charts.

Unless you are doing segmented work or complex multi axis stuff, I do not see any particular need for woodturning design software. I would think that pencil and paper would be more than sufficient. If you are doing hollow forms (either solid or segmented), then Woodturner Studio seems to be a good choice. It will do cut lists and details for each layer and it also does 3D solid modeling for those who can't visualize a flat drawing in three dimensions. It also offers the ability to let the software help with the design by using Bezier curves for a pleasing shape, but apparently you have to use either straight line segments or Bezier curves and can't mix the two. However, I do not believe that it can do complex pattern details, but I could be wrong since I am not very proficient at using it. I bought it at SWAT because it was cheap and the 3D solid modeling looked cool and might even cause me to make a segmented turning one of these days -- still waiting for that day.😀
 
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Steve,

You can use just about any type drawing or design program to play with profiles, silhouettes, shapes, etc., yes including a desktop publishing program like QuarkXpress. With Quark you would be limited to creating basic shapes like circles, ellipses and boxes… tweaking imported images is another option you could try. It would work, but it would be cumbersome. It’s is a desktop publishing program and not an illustrator or sketching program.

Corel or Illustrator would be better. Or you could try a CAD program. I never though Google’s Sketch-up was very good. Try Solid Edge. They offer their 2D drafting module for free. It’s easy to learn has one of the best interfaces of any CAD package.

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/velocity/solidedge/free2d/index.shtml

I use Solid Edge ST (the full feature 3D solid modeling program) at work. After a couple times playing with turned concepts, the novelty wore off. Unless you’re doing a production design for a CNC lathe, I’d say the effort (and it is NOT much) to create a 3D rendering of a theoretical shape is not worth it. Just hoist that chunk of wood on the lathe and start making it. That’s the art of the lathe.
 
Steve, I can see one possible area where a CAD program would be useful and that would be for spindle turning for such things as table legs where you are making multiple identical pieces. If that is the case, a relatively easy to learn and use 2D program is DeltaCAD which is a bargain at about $40.

An important thing to consider is that no software package is going to really "help" you design anything -- it is only for putting the design that you create onto paper (or computer monitor). CAD software for production spindle turning can be useful if you plan to make a full size cut-out for setting up your work and checking the fit and shape as you progress. Even in this situation, I think that as Bob said, the novelty would quickly wear off. Time spent creating a drawing could be used to complete a set of four table legs.
 
Bill and Bob,

Thanks for your ideas. I've been playing with Corel Draw as a way to experiment with shape and form, proportion and size for new ideas. Being a nonartist with poor drawing skills, I'm hoping to use graphic design software (like Corel Draw) as a way to quickly draw a profile, then be able to change components, until I find a design I like. I, too, didn't like Sketchup for designing profiles. I find the drawing tools more difficult, and not as powerful. I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

Anyone else have experience with graphic design software for woodturning design?

Steve
 
Steve Hooley said:
..... Being a nonartist with poor drawing skills, I'm hoping to use graphic design software (like Corel Draw) as a way to quickly draw a profile, then be able to change components, until I find a design I like.
Click to expand...

In this case, I think that Woodturner Studio might be just what you want.

Here is a screen shot of the solid model view of a simple vase that was created using Woodturner Studio. It only took a couple minutes to do this simple example. With a bit of practice, very nice shapes can be created and you get both a drawing view and the solid model view. The program is very intuitive after spending a few minutes reading the instructions.


woodturner_studio.jpg
 
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