Design Question

[cigarman]

First off I am NOT</u> an artist. I have trouble drawing a stright line. So is there a program that a person can take a pen style and reconfigure it using different woods (or colors) into a design to see what it would look like before making it?

 

[Dario]

Colors will be easy but with wood, you need to factor in the figure.

My easy solution for you is take a picture of a pen (one pen style/plating)...have it printed as close to actual as posible, cut up the barrel area and use it as a template on your blanks.

Figure is still not the same after you turned it but will look closer than anything I can think of.

 

[GaryMGg]

I've given this some thought.
I'd like to see manufacturers make their nibs available without undue cost.
My idea is to have turned and finished barrels sans tubes available and to have
nibs with tubes attached.
Then, the CLIENT could decide they like this wood with that finish.
I've got a retailer who would do well with a setup like that for custom orders.
I'll probably buy some kits to sacrifice the nibs just to make this myself but I think
it's got marketing potential.

- G -

 

[toolcrazy]

I've often wondered how some of my fellow penmakers come up with a match between finish, wood type and kit type. But, I've come to the conclusion it's all subjective. Every blank will have it's own match, wheather or not it's correct or not, it's up to you. I ususally pick the kit I want to make, then pick the blank I want to turn. If it's right or wrong it's up to who buys it.

 

[its_virgil]

This pen was computer generated: http://penmakersguild.com/gallery.php?gallery=kleinhenzr&page=126

Rich uses a 3D Modeling program called Rhino (I think). Here is a link to the software. http://www.rhino3d.com . It is expensive, has a steep learning curve (so I've heard) and is probably not as much fun to make a virtual pen as it is to make a real pen. But, the idea of design first to see what the end will be is not a bad idea. Other similar software may (and probably is) available. Have fun if you persue this idea.

As we make more pens I think all us get a good feeling of how our favorite woods and plastics will look with the various pen kit choices, choices of findings, and pen finishes. 3D modeling software is very helpful in those who can design new or creaive concepts. Rich has several computer designs in his gallery at the above link.

Do a good turn daily!
Don

Originally posted by cigarman
<br />First off I am <u>NOT</u> an artist. I have trouble drawing a stright line. So is there a program that a person can take a pen style and reconfigure it using different woods (or colors) into a design to see what it would look like before making it?

 

[cigarman]

Thanks everyone. Don I looked over Rhino and the learning curve looks steeper than I would like to climb. I guess I will just go out and make the pen and if it does'nt look good...well thats why I have a wood burning stove in my shop []

 

[Paul in OKC]

You could do this by drill blanks with a bit the size of the mandrel first, then turning and finishing, then redrill with the size bit for the tube. have some barrels with the nibs put in and slide them together. Might be tough on the clip end of some pens, but that would give you a way to see a type of wood with certain hardware. Just a thought.

 

[Ozzy]

I have two tubes that I slide into potential pen blanks and turn 'em; if they look good naked (just the blank), I finish and assemble them. That way, if they don't look good; I haven't wasted anything but time.