Computer Drawing Software For Making Leather Patterns

[Anonnymouse]

Who IS Bezier and what does he do for a living???

Bezier is the Paths tool.

[StraightTimeStirrups]

Hi Ferg,

They are cutters but can also be used with pens, stylus etc whatever fits in the holder for marking, there is an option in the software for swapping between the knife and a pen. They have a pressure setting so you can determine how dark the tracing is.

Heres a pic of a tracing

Before anyone asks about cutting the knives are tiny so aren't suitable for cutting leather, I did managed to cut 1.5mm thick leather once but definately wouldn't try anything thicker.

The flatbed machine they do would cut through thicker leather but are over $5000 I think, definately not something I could afford they use an air suction system to hold down the piece. My model uses grip wheels to move the mat back and forth and the leather needs to fit between the wheels as they are textured and you wouldn't want them to run over the leather, I use double sided tape to hold the leather to the mat.

Let me know if you would like any other info.

Cheers,

Clair

I would love to see a video clip of this machine in action!

[erikpet]

I would love to see a video clip of this machine in action!

Good day folks! I haven't been doing much leather work with it yet, but I bought a similar device called the Pazzle inspiration that can run 500ish, plus some plans that can get them cheaper. It has the same kind of abilities and tracing and embossing tips. If you go to the pazzles.com website you can see their model. I have used another one called the cricut to cut stencils for sandblasting which would also probably work. Hope this was helpful!

[tlauts]

I am a CAD instructor by trade and do leather tooling as a hobby. As for the topic, I would like to add to the discussion. I use CAD for patterns and print them on card stock for smaller projects and use a large scale printer for medium and larger projects. I also use Illustrator and many others, depends on what I feel like using. What I want to share is a great CAD software is Draftsight and there is videos and tutorials by the company, the neat part is the software is totally free. Once you learn to use the software, I think that you will find it rather simple and quite the time saver.

Tim

Edited November 15, 2012 by tlauts

[JLSleather]

Bezier WAS a French engineer, working with curves for the auto industry. Anyway, drawing a "curve" in a vector program involves an INSANE amount of math. Fortunately, the computer does the math for you.

I used AutoCad for years, and now use PS regularly. Biggest thing on my end for graphics is that often a customer can't visualize the thing, and wants to see what it will look like. AutoCad's "render" is a bit slow / PS learning curve is a bit steep.

It seems that Gimp is highly recommended, but since I lack the time to learn a whole new program, I stick to what I have. I'm USED to PS, but Gimp is FREE which has to be a plus. If you don't already use one or the other, I'd go with the free.

What I find works best is a combination of software and ink pen. When I draw patterns, I STILL scan them. Paper patterns age, the digital file won't. When the paper pattern is worn, I just print another. When I have requests for "matching", say a checkbook and handbag, I can easily transform the pattern to suit the other item, and the customer can see it before they buy it (sorta).

[keableleather]

Try this easy to use software, I use transparencies and the copper colour lines and remove or do not use any infill on your shapes, (ie Draft Mode)

http://www.sgdesigns.com/designer.php

[JLSleather]

I see no reason to use Illustrator when your patterns aren't going to change size or be sent to a printhouse. I scan the gun/blue gun then use Photoshop to create the pattern. When printed, it's actual size and easy to reprint for a quick alteration or when the pattern gets too boogered up to use anymore. I've been using Photoshop since v4...I still have the disc! The Gimp is the open-source equivalent - if you don't have the funds for PS, get the Gimp and learn it.

See, not THIS was interesting. How DO you scan a blue gun?

GRAPH paper is STILL awesome all these years later

[JLSleather]

OOOPS typing error.. That should read

NOW this was interesting! How DO you scan a blue gun?

[dickf]

I lay the gun on a flatbed scanner, use the pen tool in Photoshop to separate the image from the background and have a perfect 1:1 sized image of the gun.

[SmashySkins]

I'm reviving this ancient topic because no one mentioned a very simple to use drawing program called Autodesk Sketchbook. It's very approachable for people who don't have much experience with computers. More importantly, it has an option to draw in a mirror image, what the OP was asking for. It's really nice for freehand drawing also.

https://www.sketchbook.com/?locale=en