I have an idea!

[wood_carver28]

I have an idea for a wood carving program that you can carve on the computer and let people see an idea of what your going to carve for them you could have one for reliefs and one for carving in the round but the idea is instead of drawing pictures for customers this program would allow you to put a drawed pattern on the wood then the program would carve it to show the finished product and you could have a setting for different depths and different kinds of wood. Plus have a setting were you can also manually carve and have a selection of chisels and saws you can use if anyone could help me get this started I would be greatful and I wouldnt care if someone run with this idea as long as I get a free copy of the program

[ElWoodTroll]

There schools that teach CAS (computer aided sculpture) and 3D modeling and rendering. Here is an example
http://www.smfa.edu/Programs_Faculty.../Sculpture.aspCheers

[LCorbett]

Check this out...it even genaerates the pattern...way cool...
Pattern Generator

[AlArchie]

P. Graham Dunn of Dalton, Ohio...down near Kidrron, has a huge "wood carving" shop. I put that in quotes, because all their work is computer controlled and generated. They have multiple head carving machines that turn out doors, mantels, alters, crucifixs, and any number of other carved articles for commercial distribution, or custom orders. I was a bit put off by the woodcarving nomenclature until I watched the artists develop the patterns on CADD programs, then transform them into marvelous carvings through the CNC carving machines. The only thing is, that they are NOT one of a kind, as once the pattern is created, any number of identical duplicates can be turned out. These are not the typical rough-out, but fully detailed and finished carvings. They also do computer controlled laser engraving of just about anything you could wish for.

You can get personal guided tours (usually with just one or two people) at no charge. It was a fascinating afternoon that I spent there. It looks like your idea has already blossomed! But the equipment is hugely expensive. You might give that new Sears carver a try, that Thomas mentioned, if you are truly interested in the concept. It looks like it sells for around $1900 bucks.

check out the Dunn site

www.pgrahamdunn.com

Al

[Mitchell]

Moved to "General"......

[dart]

I saw an ad on tv that Sears has a computer carver for about $1895.00. We all should get one so we could pop stuff out quickly and identically too. It would be nice to have one for the fun of it.