Help, need your opinion.

[Barry]

Has anyone ever used the Coyote Stencil Shop software?  I see it advertised in SSW&C and was wondering if anyone new anything about it. 

Or does anyone know of a good software for creating patterns?  Anything I use would have to be fairly simple as I am computer illiterate.

Thanks,
Barry

[julief]

I have coyote, I like it so far but am still trying to navigate. 

[dgman]

Hey julie, Take all the time you need to learn that program, but please report back to us about  it. A lot of people here interested!

[Marcellarius]

sorry Barry, never heard of Coyote stencil shp software.
I use corel.
Grampa advised inkscape for vectors and I tried that. still learning inkscape but i think it's a nice program to.

marcel

[julief]

I've got the basics of Coyote.  It's very user friendly and have made a few patterns off of photos.  The advanced capabilities is where I still need to work.  It can bring things in in layers and I still have not got that part of it down.  There is a tutorial on their website if anyone is interested.  I think it was well worth the money.

[Russ C]

I have only made a few patterns off of photos. When I do I use Adobe Photoshop.
 

[Barry]

Thanks for the responses.  I will go to the website and see what they have to offer.  Marcel, you can't miss the advertisments in Scrollsaw Woodworking & Crafts and in Creative Woodworks and Crafts.  They are always right in the first few pages. 

I have paid to have folks, Sue Mey and Charlie Dearing particularly, to make patterns for me and they are always top quality.  The Pattern
requests page on this site is great and you can't beat the price 

I would like to start making my on patterns just for the satisfaction of doing something start to finish.  The "user friendly" part is good to hear Julief.  Do you think you would you buy Coyote now with what you know about the software?

Barry

[julief]

Yes, I would still buy it.  There are a few features that I really like.  It shows the fall out and you can view it on a variety of woods.  Although, I can cut just about anything, I can't draw a straight line with a ruler.  I lack the talent to draw a pattern.  I have revised a few to suit my needs or combined patterns to get the result I want, but just do not have the where with all to draw one from scratch.  I even made a light box to attempt this.  Still - no luck.

[ChaplainRon]

I don't see anything it can do that I can't do with Photoshop. For a beginner it will still have a learning curve. It isn't as easy as photo in and pattern out.

Ron

[Barry]

That is good to know Julief and I know what you mean about the straight lines.   

Thanks for responding Ron.  I am looking for something that is very specific with instructions for going from picture to completed pattern.  When I say I am intimidated by computers, I am not kidding.  Photoshop is probably a fine and versatile program but I really want something that does one thing, in this case scrollsaw patterns.  I know there is a learning curve and I don't expect to hit two buttons and be done (although it would be nice). 

When I am forced to call IT people at work, it never fails, in trying to be helpful they give me too many options.  I just need one way of getting from point "A" to point "B".  When you ask a computer person, "What time is it?" they tell you how to build a clock. 

Thanks everyone for responding,
Barry

[ChaplainRon]

Here is Steve's Review.

http://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com/2008/08/coyote-stencil-shop-review.html

Download the trial version and give it a trial.

Ron

[julief]

Barry,  The program also came with a book.  Yes, an actual book.  I don't have to push help and wait for an explanation that I don't understand.  I may not be computer literate, but I can read and follow instructions.  If I get really stuck, there is a phone number.  I haven't called it yet but it is nice to know I can.

[Barry]

Here is Steve's Review.

http://scrollsawworkshop.blogspot.com/2008/08/coyote-stencil-shop-review.html

Download the trial version and give it a trial.

Ron

Thanks Ron, I didn't know Steve had reviewed it.  I will check it out.

Barry

[Barry]

Thanks Julief.

Barry