Being Patient
18-Sep-2008 08:07 AM Filed in: Updates
There was a
new release of the Apple OS-X operating system
software the other day. It's 10.5.5 and while I tend
to hold back one release, lately I've been keeping
current.
This time around though, I'm going to hold steady and wait a few more days before doing so. There are mixed signals being sent by the user community on if this update fixes or breaks something.
I'll admit that I'm a bit gun-shy from my experience with the upgrade from dotmac to mobile.me. That was a rough path and I don't want to go through another one.
It's not going to hurt to stay put for the time being. But once I do upgrade, I will report how this new version works with the newest release of the CarveWright Design Software. Keep tuned.
This time around though, I'm going to hold steady and wait a few more days before doing so. There are mixed signals being sent by the user community on if this update fixes or breaks something.
I'll admit that I'm a bit gun-shy from my experience with the upgrade from dotmac to mobile.me. That was a rough path and I don't want to go through another one.
It's not going to hurt to stay put for the time being. But once I do upgrade, I will report how this new version works with the newest release of the CarveWright Design Software. Keep tuned.
Another Software Video
06-Sep-2008 06:28 AM Filed in: Updates
Hello again everyone. I just posted another video
tutorial for using the Carvewright design software.
This episode teaches you how to customize the tool
bars to your own liking. Head over to the Video Tutorials page
to watch.
New Video about Software
19-Aug-2008 03:54 AM Filed in: Updates
I began a new series of video tutorials today on how
to use the Carvewright Design Software. This is going
to be a very comprehensive series. The software is
pretty sophisticated so I’m anticipating there will
be quite a few videos to this set. Scoot over to the
Video Tutorials page
to watch the first in this new series.
Good Tool for Initial Pattern Creation
28-Apr-2008 08:21 PM Filed in: Updates
I spent quite a bit of time trying to find a software
tool I could use to modify image colors as I had
described in my last post. I tried half a dozen
different packages and none of them seemed to do what
I wanted to do. It seemed like a fairly simple task
and yet there was only one tool that held out any
promise...
Then, I decided to do some reading and found my answer. I say I did some reading, because I really need to drive home the fact that even though I've been preaching about reading the manual, I failed to do so with a software tool I've been using for years.
When I read the manual again, I found that what I wanted to do was right there!!! What a dork I was - if I had only followed my own advice I could have cut weeks off of this process.
I will be making a screencast soon to illustrate the process.
Then, I decided to do some reading and found my answer. I say I did some reading, because I really need to drive home the fact that even though I've been preaching about reading the manual, I failed to do so with a software tool I've been using for years.
When I read the manual again, I found that what I wanted to do was right there!!! What a dork I was - if I had only followed my own advice I could have cut weeks off of this process.
I will be making a screencast soon to illustrate the process.
Working to Pattern Up
25-Apr-2008 07:17 PM Filed in: Updates
I've been working with the software to design
patterns... The software can import pictures, graphic
elements, clip art, and a lot of other forms of
digital artwork. It converts those images into a
grayscale format. It does this by taking the pixels
and changing them to different levels of white and
dark. These differing shades of light and dark are
then converted to depth. the darker the pixel, the
deeper the depth.
While trying my hand at scanning images and converting them to patterns, I found that I needed to do some manipulations to the scanned images. This especially true of clip art. Clip art is strictly black and white and so the carving would turn out to be very exaggerated. What I need to do is find a way to adjust the images and change or rather swap colors.
While trying my hand at scanning images and converting them to patterns, I found that I needed to do some manipulations to the scanned images. This especially true of clip art. Clip art is strictly black and white and so the carving would turn out to be very exaggerated. What I need to do is find a way to adjust the images and change or rather swap colors.
I See A Pattern
16-Mar-2008 07:35 AM Filed in: Updates
I've been working on a number of patterns the last
couple of weeks. It's taken me a bit of time to get
comfortable with the software (which is to be
expected). I think I still have a long way to go, but
I feel I'm over the major hurdles. I got a good grasp
of the basics and now I can go about trying to learn
a new tidbit here and there.
This is the part of software use I like the most; finding those little things that make your project pop! It's like being on a treasure hunt and finding the magic ring.
This is the part of software use I like the most; finding those little things that make your project pop! It's like being on a treasure hunt and finding the magic ring.
Software Makes Decent Strides
10-Mar-2008 07:40 PM Filed in: Reviews
nearly a month and a half ago i mentioned how i was
not impressed with the process of registering
the software.
up until a couple of days ago, i had been using a downloaded "evaluation" version of the software. finally, the eval period ended and it came time to register the software if i wanted to use it any further.
i tried and tried to get my version to register with no success. i tried everything and nothing would work. i finally decided to trash the whole application and install the version from my software distribution CD i got when i bought the machine. that part went ok and when i went to register everything went smooth as silk. i checked for any updates and there was one (from version 1.125 to 1.126).
i downloaded the new version and replaced the app with the newer version... again, no hitches. i then went to my shop computer and did the same thing (you can register and use the software on up to two computers). there too, the process was simple and painless.
i have no idea why the eval version gave me so many problems, but the distribution version was fine.
in a past occupation, i was a software developer and so i can understand why Carvewright wants to know who is using their software. it makes sense and by registering, it's an easy way to make sure your users are using the latest version. what i don't understand though, is why Carvewright doesn't just GIVE this software away. they have nothing to lose and EVERYTHING to gain.
their machine is almost useless without patterns and projects - it begs for content.
give the software away and maybe there will be more people developing patterns, etc which will only help to spur more machine sales.
up until a couple of days ago, i had been using a downloaded "evaluation" version of the software. finally, the eval period ended and it came time to register the software if i wanted to use it any further.
i tried and tried to get my version to register with no success. i tried everything and nothing would work. i finally decided to trash the whole application and install the version from my software distribution CD i got when i bought the machine. that part went ok and when i went to register everything went smooth as silk. i checked for any updates and there was one (from version 1.125 to 1.126).
i downloaded the new version and replaced the app with the newer version... again, no hitches. i then went to my shop computer and did the same thing (you can register and use the software on up to two computers). there too, the process was simple and painless.
i have no idea why the eval version gave me so many problems, but the distribution version was fine.
in a past occupation, i was a software developer and so i can understand why Carvewright wants to know who is using their software. it makes sense and by registering, it's an easy way to make sure your users are using the latest version. what i don't understand though, is why Carvewright doesn't just GIVE this software away. they have nothing to lose and EVERYTHING to gain.
their machine is almost useless without patterns and projects - it begs for content.
give the software away and maybe there will be more people developing patterns, etc which will only help to spur more machine sales.
More on Software
01-Feb-2008 04:08 PM Filed in: Reviews
been experimenting with the software all this past
week. for the most part i like it. i read manuals to
learn how to do something. i find that it actually
reduces the learning curve and i'm able to do more in
less time. most people feel they are wasting time by
reading and would rather struggle through something
than learn how to use it the right way. my dad is
like this and he is constantly asking me how i
figured out how to do something. my response is: "I
READ THE MANUAL". having said that, i spent a big
portion of my free time learning how to use this
software. i would open the application and size the
window in the upper 2/3 of the monitor. i would then
run the help application and size that window just
under the designer window. then i would read the
instructions and apply them in the window above. this
actually goes pretty fast and once i have tried
something, it tends to stay with me so it's not too
often i have to refer back to the directions.
i developed this strategy when working in my old profession, testing software. you learn the software quickly, but you do run across a number of errors in the documentation... such is the case with this package too. most of the errors i ran across were nothing too big - mostly a lot of the wrong key assignments. i work on a mac and there was a lot of reference to the "control" key when in reality it should have read as the "command" key. i run into this a lot because most windoz programmers are not aware of the difference between platforms, so i won't get too bent out of shape with that. most of us mac users are aware of that oversight and just accept it.
one thing that i wasn't happy with though, was the fact that many graphics were not present. for whatever reason, there were many graphic holders that were dark. THAT is unacceptable and i hope that CarveWright will fix that.
CW has put up a number of video tutorials on their sight. i like the fact that there are both inline versions and downloadable ones as well. i think this is brilliant on their part. even if you have a dial-up line to the internet, you can start the download and go do something else while you are waiting. i would encourage everyone to download a version to their computer if they have the disk storage space available. if disk space is at a premium, i would still see if you could download one or two videos and then burn them to cd or dvd.
i make this suggestion for a good reason - convenience. the computer i use for making patterns, etc is located in my workshop basement. while my carvewright is cutting away on a project, i work on other patterns. this computer is not connected to the internet. if i should need to reference a tutorial, all i have to do is pop in a dvd and i have the help in front of me. it's a good idea to review these tutorials from time to time. you would be surprised how much you pick up AFTER you have used your carvewright for a while. all of a sudden, something you watched a while back now makes sense, or it inspires you to try something new.
my only suggestion to CW, is to make the type in the text boxes a bit larger. sometimes there is too much crammed into a box and it's hard to read what is being said.
the example below illustrates what i am talking about.
i developed this strategy when working in my old profession, testing software. you learn the software quickly, but you do run across a number of errors in the documentation... such is the case with this package too. most of the errors i ran across were nothing too big - mostly a lot of the wrong key assignments. i work on a mac and there was a lot of reference to the "control" key when in reality it should have read as the "command" key. i run into this a lot because most windoz programmers are not aware of the difference between platforms, so i won't get too bent out of shape with that. most of us mac users are aware of that oversight and just accept it.
one thing that i wasn't happy with though, was the fact that many graphics were not present. for whatever reason, there were many graphic holders that were dark. THAT is unacceptable and i hope that CarveWright will fix that.
CW has put up a number of video tutorials on their sight. i like the fact that there are both inline versions and downloadable ones as well. i think this is brilliant on their part. even if you have a dial-up line to the internet, you can start the download and go do something else while you are waiting. i would encourage everyone to download a version to their computer if they have the disk storage space available. if disk space is at a premium, i would still see if you could download one or two videos and then burn them to cd or dvd.
i make this suggestion for a good reason - convenience. the computer i use for making patterns, etc is located in my workshop basement. while my carvewright is cutting away on a project, i work on other patterns. this computer is not connected to the internet. if i should need to reference a tutorial, all i have to do is pop in a dvd and i have the help in front of me. it's a good idea to review these tutorials from time to time. you would be surprised how much you pick up AFTER you have used your carvewright for a while. all of a sudden, something you watched a while back now makes sense, or it inspires you to try something new.
my only suggestion to CW, is to make the type in the text boxes a bit larger. sometimes there is too much crammed into a box and it's hard to read what is being said.
the example below illustrates what i am talking about.
Software Activation Frustration
24-Jan-2008 12:28 PM Filed in: Opinions
prior to my present endeavors, i spent nearly 20
years in the software and systems development arena.
in addition, i've programmed PLC's and operated many
major machine centers so i'm very familiar with
drawing, cad-cam, and machining software. i was
therefor excited to start with the CarveWright™
designer software.
my initial feel for the SOFTWARE is good.
you may have happened to notice that i emphasized the word software... i did that cause i happen to like the software - but registration and activation is a different story. i think it blows!! but then again, that's just my opinion. and we all know what they say about opinions, right?
for those of you that need a refresher course, it goes like this: "opinions are just like butt holes - everybody has one, and we all think the other guy's stink!" be sure to replace "butt hole" with something more colorful to add impact. anyway, you get the picture.
i have lots of opinions on the software activation process and the whole licensing scheme in general. i'll be putting together a video on this and my initial thoughts about the design software in a couple days. i hope you'll come back and have a view.
in the mean-time, if you have a specific issue about the software, send me a request from here and i'll do my best to find you an answer.
my initial feel for the SOFTWARE is good.
you may have happened to notice that i emphasized the word software... i did that cause i happen to like the software - but registration and activation is a different story. i think it blows!! but then again, that's just my opinion. and we all know what they say about opinions, right?
for those of you that need a refresher course, it goes like this: "opinions are just like butt holes - everybody has one, and we all think the other guy's stink!" be sure to replace "butt hole" with something more colorful to add impact. anyway, you get the picture.
i have lots of opinions on the software activation process and the whole licensing scheme in general. i'll be putting together a video on this and my initial thoughts about the design software in a couple days. i hope you'll come back and have a view.
in the mean-time, if you have a specific issue about the software, send me a request from here and i'll do my best to find you an answer.