Hand Pattern Cutting Help

[Deanimator]

What is Corel Draw, and how do I get it?

Thanks

Corel Draw is a graphics design program. It's advantage over things like MS Paint is that it natively works with vector drawings instead of bitmaps. Jpegs and other photo files are bitmaps. It's difficult to do design work with a bitmap program because you're working with individual pixels (dots). Vector drawings, instead of being dots, are instructions which specific color, direction, dimensions, etc. That means that you can easily stretch and modify vector drawings. It's very easy to combine simple shapes to create more complex objects and to break them up as necessary. This allows you to reuse drawing objects for different projects and modify them to suit your current needs.

A few years ago, I bought an OEM copy of Corel Draw X3 for $99. That was in a local used computer store. You can do as well or better on Ebay or other web based resources.

If I didn't have Corel Draw or something similar, I wouldn't bother trying to design and make my own holsters. I just don't have the manual artistic skill.

[Spinner]

Corel Draw is a graphics design program. It's advantage over things like MS Paint is that it natively works with vector drawings instead of bitmaps. Jpegs and other photo files are bitmaps. It's difficult to do design work with a bitmap program because you're working with individual pixels (dots). Vector drawings, instead of being dots, are instructions which specific color, direction, dimensions, etc. That means that you can easily stretch and modify vector drawings. It's very easy to combine simple shapes to create more complex objects and to break them up as necessary. This allows you to reuse drawing objects for different projects and modify them to suit your current needs.

A few years ago, I bought an OEM copy of Corel Draw X3 for $99. That was in a local used computer store. You can do as well or better on Ebay or other web based resources.

If I didn't have Corel Draw or something similar, I wouldn't bother trying to design and make my own holsters. I just don't have the manual artistic skill.

For those that don't want to spend the money for a vector graphics program and will likely only use the basic functions (lines, curves, text, etc). You can use Raven at http://www.Aviary.com it's a free suite of graphics and image tools that will suffice for most folks. Aviary also has a photo editor, screen capture, music, audio and color editors and some web tools.

For those wanting a more robust program than Corel at a lower price, check out Xara Designer. It has a vector graphics suite and full photo editing features like Photoshop in one. Been using it for 12 years now and still love it. http://www.xara.com/...ducts/designer/ For only $89 it's hard to beat. There is a trial download you can get for free to check it out before buying.

Edited August 6, 2010 by Spinner

[Spinner]

I draw my pattern on inexpensive file folders.........cut it out with scissors..........transfer to leather with a ball stylus............initial cut with a swivel knife (this gives me a distinct and smooth line to follow with the final cut)............final cut with a 'dedicated', very sharp, knife (this knife happens to have been in my family for 70 years at least, but any good SHARP knife that you are comfortable with should work)...........smooth edges with drum sander if necessary. Hope this helps. Mike

I just started doing the same thing this week and boy let me tell ya, the leathers I have cut with curves and such have never looked better.

[cstephens]

Wow thanks for all the replys! I have bought one round knife and I'm looking at a custom head knife, and i was wondering how good damascus blades are? Also does anyone suggest the hole for a finger rest? seems like that could potentially waste a lot of blade down the road...

[Deanimator]

For those wanting a more robust program than Corel at a lower price, check out Xara Designer. It has a vector graphics suite and full photo editing features like Photoshop in one. Been using it for 12 years now and still love it. http://www.xara.com/...ducts/designer/ For only $89 it's hard to beat. There is a trial download you can get for free to check it out before buying.

Corel Draw also comes with Corel Photopaint, a full featured photo/bitmap editor.

[RMB Custom Leather]

For those that don't want to spend the money for a vector graphics program and will likely only use the basic functions (lines, curves, text, etc). You can use Raven at http://www.Aviary.com it's a free suite of graphics and image tools that will suffice for most folks. Aviary also has a photo editor, screen capture, music, audio and color editors and some web tools.

For those wanting a more robust program than Corel at a lower price, check out Xara Designer. It has a vector graphics suite and full photo editing features like Photoshop in one. Been using it for 12 years now and still love it. http://www.xara.com/...ducts/designer/ For only $89 it's hard to beat. There is a trial download you can get for free to check it out before buying.

Like that site. Can you draw a pattern to scale and if so how do you do it using the aviary.com?

[dirtyernie]

Corel Draw is a graphics design program. It's advantage over things like MS Paint is that it natively works with vector drawings instead of bitmaps. Jpegs and other photo files are bitmaps. It's difficult to do design work with a bitmap program because you're working with individual pixels (dots). Vector drawings, instead of being dots, are instructions which specific color, direction, dimensions, etc. That means that you can easily stretch and modify vector drawings. It's very easy to combine simple shapes to create more complex objects and to break them up as necessary. This allows you to reuse drawing objects for different projects and modify them to suit your current needs.

A few years ago, I bought an OEM copy of Corel Draw X3 for $99. That was in a local used computer store. You can do as well or better on Ebay or other web based resources.

If I didn't have Corel Draw or something similar, I wouldn't bother trying to design and make my own holsters. I just don't have the manual artistic skill.

[dirtyernie]

Corel Draw is a graphics design program. It's advantage over things like MS Paint is that it natively works with vector drawings instead of bitmaps. Jpegs and other photo files are bitmaps. It's difficult to do design work with a bitmap program because you're working with individual pixels (dots). Vector drawings, instead of being dots, are instructions which specific color, direction, dimensions, etc. That means that you can easily stretch and modify vector drawings. It's very easy to combine simple shapes to create more complex objects and to break them up as necessary. This allows you to reuse drawing objects for different projects and modify them to suit your current needs.

A few years ago, I bought an OEM copy of Corel Draw X3 for $99. That was in a local used computer store. You can do as well or better on Ebay or other web based resources.

If I didn't have Corel Draw or something similar, I wouldn't bother trying to design and make my own holsters. I just don't have the manual artistic skill.

[JeffGC]

I've been making holsters for many years, using a small X-Acto knife (No. 11 blade) for cutting patterns and leather. I still use one for cutting patterns which are typically made of manila file folders or poster board during design development. After I have a finalized design, I make a new pattern on a plastic sheet. I use a small drill bit in a Dremel to mark stitch lines, etc. The best source of plastic sheet is from single layer notebook covers.

This past winter, after considerable research on this forum, I bought a head knife. Following the recommendations of a number of members, I contacted Bob Douglas. Having already purchased an awl from him, I was confident I was dealing with a great resource. I purchased an early 1900s Osborne plus one of Bob's large stropping blocks.

Life with a head knife has really been a learning experience. With a craft knife, it would normally take a number of passes to completely cut through the leather. With a head knife...one pass. Cutting long straights or tight curves is not difficult with a head knife. Keeping the knife sharp is the major issue. I'm learning and getting better.

If you are really committed to leatherwork and are willing to spend the money, buy a head knife. Avoid Tandy and call Bob Douglas.

Regards,

Jeff

[hjjusa]

I am new to this site but have worked leather for a while. I am also a woodworker and have a scrollsaw, one day I was fooling around in my shop & tried cutting a leather pattern on my scrollsaw. Works beautifully