Designing with Autocad

[Rhome]

Yeah, I'm old school, that's for sure.

[$$hobby]

If you could scan in the profile of the gun, then i thing that AutoCAD could work. at least it would be easier to enlarge the pattern w/o remaking it everytime.

i use Inventor for some of my patterns, but just for my belt ends, tounges and buckle straps. I use Inventor since its easier for me. BTW, i also used it for some cartridge carriers patterns. its alot easier to use a patter then marking directly on the leather.

[TroyS]

I design custom homes, and I've used AutoCAD since about 1990 and I can tell you, anything can be modeled in 3D for your viewing pleasure PRIOR to cutting your first piece of leather. youcan rotate the item (using ORB command), then once you are satisfied with the result, you can disassemble the 3D drawing in AutoCAD, and flatten it into a 2D pattern. Many of the new computer softwares can do it, AutoCAD just happens to be the one I know best. Adobe Photoshop CS3 also does this, however, both of these programs are in excess of $1200.00 in the US.

I honestly believe that a roll of brown paper, some scissors, a pencil, a compass, a protractor and a little common sense can get the same effect, AND, you can do it if the power goes out....

Hope this opinion helps....

Troy

[gtwister09]

Like TroyS I have used AutoCAD for a while...since version 1.13. I also taught it for one semester in college. I use it for a lot of things like mauls (their templates), knives, concho designs, spur straps and tooling designs (mainly initials and logos), tool holders, bookmarks and what-ifs for designs. Here is a smattering of some of the things that I use it for.

[FrankCastle]

I design custom homes, and I've used AutoCAD since about 1990 and I can tell you, anything can be modeled in 3D for your viewing pleasure PRIOR to cutting your first piece of leather. youcan rotate the item (using ORB command), then once you are satisfied with the result, you can disassemble the 3D drawing in AutoCAD, and flatten it into a 2D pattern. Many of the new computer softwares can do it, AutoCAD just happens to be the one I know best. Adobe Photoshop CS3 also does this, however, both of these programs are in excess of $1200.00 in the US.

I honestly believe that a roll of brown paper, some scissors, a pencil, a compass, a protractor and a little common sense can get the same effect, AND, you can do it if the power goes out....

Hope this opinion helps....

Troy

First off, I would like to introduce myself. I have been Trolling this forum for about a month absorbing what I can. I bought a derringer and need a holster for it. Bad Part is they dont commercially make what I am looking for. Next step. Research, Design, and make my own. I have limited LW experience, which includes a merit badge from Boy Scouts 15 years ago. Mainly Stamping and Basic Stiching.

I have been using AutoCAD since 1995, Version 12. I have a certificate in 3D Modeling, but was not aware you could flaten out the designs. I know you can get any 2D View from any 3D model. Question: If I make a 3D Model/Design, How do I flaten it out? With the accuracy you can achieve in AutoCAD, Modeling the Gun would be the easy part. Drafting the 3D Holster would be fun, but I am unsure how to flaten it out. Any Suggestions will help. Thank you for your time.

Frank