Question about drawing and software

[Travis_UT]

I'm just beginning my journey down this path. Right now, I am just working on drawing filigree. My question is: Do you draw your design 100% on paper and then transfer it over or do you use software to help create your designs. I see a lot of designs that are very symmetric and I'm thinking to myself, how will I ever get to that level. I would think that by using adobe or something, you could scan in your drawings then copy, past rotate, resize to create the design and then transfer it to the piece to be engraved. I hope my question makes sense and thanks in advance.
Travis

 

[monk]

drawing is the boss of all you want to learn. personallly, i like to draw oversize, refine where needed, then scan to size. or, in some cases, it's very difficult and time wasting to try transfers onto compound curves. solution direct draw on the part. the software that assists in drawing can produce perfect results. having said that, are the results pleasing to the trained eye? there may be a disconnect between what's perfect and whats good !
welcome to the forum, and good luck in this journey.

 

[Travis_UT]

Thanks Monk,
I have been working on the inner spirals, spending a lot of time fixing flat spots and coming up with a "process" of where they start and end and they are starting to look better.

 

[monk]

Thanks Monk,
I have been working on the inner spirals, spending a lot of time fixing flat spots and coming up with a "process" of where they start and end and they are starting to look better.

doing the basic spiral is parmount. worry about the details later. once you can do really good backbones as some call them, then proceed to detailing.

 

[dcurrie911]

A few years ago I switched from paper and pencil to Procreate and my designs improved exponentially. Of course you will still need to practice and practice but with Procreate you can erase, change, add, layer, over and over and over. For example,
start with an outline of the part to engrave, then create a new layer for scrolls (work on the scrolls until you get good design and coverage), then add a layer for leaves (draw, erase, move, copy, resize the leaves until you are happy), then a background layer, then shading, maybe then animals. Changed your mind about the scrolls? fine, add a new layer, keep some of the scrolls and change the ones you don’t like. It is a little more involved than described but not much more. Then when you are happy with the design and ready to engrave turn off all the layers except scrolls and leaves print it onto a transfer method of choice and start cutting. The details like background and shading are unnecessary for the design but I shade in Procreate line by line just as I would when engraving and I think it is a great learning opportunity. Dan

 

[dcurrie911]

Also, when practicing and learning I have dome things like turn off all layers except background just to be sure I don’t have imbalance. Or I turn off all except the shading for the same reason. Of course I don’t think you will find any seasoned professional that needs to or is willing to take the time to go to such lengths but I think it is a great learning tool.

 

[John B.]

Daniel, thank you for posting your I-Pad and Procreate methods.
A great help and introduction to the computer design methods for engravers.
And a wonderful learning tool to we computer challenged individuals.!

 

[papart1]

I have a love hate relationship with procreate

 

[Travis_UT]

I am looking at getting procreat soon so I can try that, thanks for the tips!

 

[GWill116]

 

[GWill116]

View attachment 45675

Need help with the the shading is there any books or DVDs that could help me with to buy to help me out are you a UFO I hope out

 

[Southern Custom]

Need help with the the shading is there any books or DVDs that could help me with to buy to help me out are you a UFO I hope out

You might consider starting a new post with your question instead of including this as a comment in someone else's question. You'll likely get more advice this way. Now it's simply buried in Travis's post.

 

[cropduster]

A few years ago I switched from paper and pencil to Procreate and my designs improved exponentially. Of course you will still need to practice and practice but with Procreate you can erase, change, add, layer, over and over and over. For example,
start with an outline of the part to engrave, then create a new layer for scrolls (work on the scrolls until you get good design and coverage), then add a layer for leaves (draw, erase, move, copy, resize the leaves until you are happy), then a background layer, then shading, maybe then animals. Changed your mind about the scrolls? fine, add a new layer, keep some of the scrolls and change the ones you don’t like. It is a little more involved than described but not much more. Then when you are happy with the design and ready to engrave turn off all the layers except scrolls and leaves print it onto a transfer method of choice and start cutting. The details like background and shading are unnecessary for the design but I shade in Procreate line by line just as I would when engraving and I think it is a great learning opportunity. Dan
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Very Well presented!