Saturday, September 7, 2013

My Studio Office for the Scrollsaw Workshop


I get questions from time to time about my design studio. I thought I would show you my desk and tell you a little about the hardware and software I use to design the patterns and produce the videos.

On the desk there are two Dell computers. I use an I5 for pattern design and an I7 for video editing. Each computer has two 23 inch monitors. I use a single keyboard and mouse for both systems. I use a Microsoft utility named Mouse Without Borders to allow me to use the single mouse/keyboard to move from machine to machine. Works great.

I have two printers. The Epson Artisan 837 inkjet printer for color and a HP LaserJet P1006 for black and white printing of the patterns. The Epson also has a nice scanner that I use to scan artwork into the computer for use in CorelDraw.

The white drawing board is a Staedtler 999. I do all the hand drawing for patterns and my comic strip on this board. On the pullout keyboard tray is a ArtOGraph lightpad 930. It's used to trace my pencil drawing to ink before I scan them into the computer.

The microphone on the boom arm is a Samsom C01U usb mic. I use it for voice over in some of the videos and when I use to do the audio tips for the blog. It also works well with my Dragon Naturally Speaking voice dictation software. I sometimes use Dragon to help me get through my email. I actually never get through my email but Dragon can sometime help.


 
My pattern design program is CorelDraw X5. I'm one version behind. CorelDraw is a vector based graphics program. It's ideally suited for scroll saw patterns. I am able to create fine line patterns for good print quality. CorelDraw has a bit of a learning curve but once mastered it is very full featured and powerful. 
 
 
 

I use Corel Paint Shop Pro X5 for all the photo editing for the blog and pattern book illustrations. I like Photoshop better but PSP is much cheaper and does everything I need.

 
I use an Intuos 5 graphics tablet for digital drawing when needed. The pattern are mostly completed with a mouse. If you need a graphics tablet this one is very nice and worth the extra money over the cheaper models.

My current video editing software is Pinnacle Studio 16. They recently purchased Avid Studio and rebranded it with their name. I was a huge fan of Avid Studio and Pinnacle seems to be supporting it well so far. I was not a big fan of the earlier Pinnacle products.

All the programming for the scroll saw application like Stence Printer and the Key Chain Maker are codded if Delphi 6. Delphi is an object oriented programming environment. It's native code is Pascal. I have used this environment for years but they were also bought out a few years ago so I'm still on an old version.

There are several other applications like Adobe Dream Weave, Camtasia Studio, Filezilla and others I use to keep the blog running. Most of this software has been purchased with the kind donations I receive from you all. 

Typically I start working on the blog late at night after work and family time. If you watch the time stamps on the blog entries you will see I generally don't sleep much. I use to get away with three to four hours sleep a night but as I get older that don't work so well. 
Every pattern is designed the night it is posted. A question I get often is if I have a archive of patterns that I pull from to post. Nope they all get done the night before you see them. I generally have two or three hours to get the email answered, update the blog and design a pattern for the next morning. Luckily I have two volunteers who make the Community forum and the pattern catalog run smoothly. Russ keeps the forum going and Frank updates the daily pattern into the catalog that he kindly designed. Without those guys it would get really tough to keep up.

That's probably all you can stand about what I do. I have shown my woodworking shop before but never my studio. I thought a few of you tech folks might find it interesting. If you have any questions about any of the software or hardware I use feel free to ask.
 

This is the end of the daily posts. Keep scrolling for lot's more scrolls saw fun!






https://www.bearwood.com/
Bear Woods has been around since 1987 serving our hobby. They offer a wide range of craft products including Pegas scroll saw blades, clock inserts, toy parts, workshop supplies and much more. In my ten years of writing the Scrollsaw Workshop blog I have never received a complaint about Bear Woods. I get thousands of email a month so that's saying something about their customer service and quality products. Please support the people who support our hobby. Click now and visit Bear Woods.

Heritage Wood Specialties. Scroll saw ready boards!


Heritage Wood Specialties is a nationally recognized supplier of superior quality hardwoods to fine woodworkers across the US and Canada. Novice hobbyists and experienced enthusiasts alike can enjoy the high quality woodworking materials and kits available from Heritage Wood Specialties. Great source for scroll saw ready boards.

Seyco

http://seyco.com/
Seyco began business in 1986 with the goal to supply the best customer support and quality products in the scroll saw industry. I have worked with Seyco on many occasions and I can tell you they are simply the best. Please do yourself a favor and click the image above. Steve Good

Free Pattern Catalog. 1000's of free patterns.

http://www.stevedgood.com/catalog/

Thousands of FREE scroll saw patterns. No registration or signup required.

The projects form these patterns can be sold without restrictions. The patterns cannot be sold.

Click here for the Free Online Catalog.

-

Wooden Vases on the Scroll Saw Book $12 Each

http://www.stevedgood.com/woodenvases.html
Each digital book is available for download immediately after payment.
The books are $12 per edition and contains eight unique patterns each.
Watch the following video to see how easy these beautiful scroll saw vases
are to make. 

Order the $3 pdf Catalog

This is a PDF of all the patterns in my free catalog. It is for Windows only and has a program to automatically download the pattern to your computer. Please watch the video below before you order. Click the picture to order.
http://www.stevedgood.com/swpd/swpdorderpage.html
You do not need a PayPal account to order. At the bottom of the PayPal page is a button that will allow you to pay with a credit card. After successful payment click the Return to Merchant button for the download.

Stencil Printer 1.7

Stencil Printer Instruction Video.

The Scrollsaw Workshop Stencil Printer 1.7 is my latest software for creating patterns. It will create key chain fobs, desk name plates and more. Click the image above to download the latest version. It is free to use donationware. This software is for Windows PC only.

Scroll Saw Pattern Printer update 1.1

Scroll Saw Pattern Printer update 1.1
Download the Free Scroll Saw Pattern Printer Version 1.1. Create name patterns in seconds. Windows PC only.
Download Version 1.1
Please consider a $5 donation for The Scroll Saw Pattern Printer v1.1.

Scroll Saw Keychain Pattern Maker

Use the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker to start a small keychain business. Build yourself a nice display and make up severl keychains with common names. Sell at craft shows, on Ebay or at work. Everyone needs a keychain. Take custom orders. Heck just make them and give them away as gifts. It's all made easy with the Scroll Saw Keychain Maker. Watch the video demonstration then download the file below and get started with the fun.
The following link will start the download process. After the file download is complete just click the setup file and the program will be installed. Please consider a $5 donation for the program.

Download the Oval Keychain Pattern Maker.

Enjoy designing and printing these great personalized key chains. Give them as gifts, make them for fun or sell them at craft shows. It's easy, just watch the video demo then download and install the program. You will be designing these fun projects in minutes. Windows PC only.
Download the Free Oval Key Chain Pattern Maker. Create Oval key chain patterns in seconds.
Download Version .9a
Please consider a $5 donation for The Oval Key Chain Pattern Maker.

T-Shirts and More.

T-Shirts and More.
Show your love for the hobby and support the Scrollsaw Workshop. Safe and secure order fullfilled by CafePress. Take a look. You are sure to find something you like. CLICK THE IMAGE to visit the store.

The Lifter

Papa's Custom Patterns.

www.papasworkshop.net

Philip Lowndes Noah's Arc Pattern Available. Watch the video below.

This video is from Philip Lowndes. He is the designer of this beautiful Noah's Arc puzzle pattern. If you would like the pattern follow the link below.
Buy This Wonderful Heirloom Puzzle Pattern

Think Safety

Remember to keep the safety of yourself and others in your work shop in your thoughts at all times. Always wear eye and ear protection. Follow all the manufactures warnings that came with your power tools. If I demonstrate something on this web site that you don't feel is safe, don't do it. Your safety is your responsibility. Fingers are handy things, try to keep all of them.
__________________________
Disclaimer:
The Scrollsaw Workshop Blog is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts Magazine formerly (Scroll Saw Workshop Magazine) or it's publisher Fox Chapel Publishing.

Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts