I just found you guys

[Kragax]

I' really glad to have found this forum. I am returning to scroll sawing after a lengthy hiatus. Now that I'm retired I want really dive back into it. I just tinkered a bit a number of years ago, but now I have much more time. I am interested in scroll sawed puzzle boxes, if anyone could lead me to plans. Also is there a cheaper program to convert photos an such than Coyote? $100.00 is kinda dear right now . Anyway, Glad to be here.

[pddesertrat]

Welcome.  We are glad you found us also. 

I don't quite know what you mean by "convert photos to".  There are a lot of free photo editors on line.

[Kragax]

Thanks for your reply. There is a program called Coyote that is made to produce scroll saw patterns from photos or artwork. It kinda makes a stencil. The full program is $100.00. I just wondered if anyone knew of a cheaper alternative.

[pddesertrat]

Some people here use Gimp and Inkscape,  both free.  I downloaded both and have been playing with them a little.  There is a tutorial here:  http://thepatriotwoodworker.com/profiles/blogs/photo-to-scroll-saw-pattern-gimp I have been working with.  I'm getting closer to a pattern each time I try.  I haven't played with Inkscape yet, not sure what it does.

[Russ C]

Glad you found us Kragax. Hi I'm Russ from Florida your local moderator. Welcome to the Scrollsaw Forum. 

[Rover2]

Welcome!!!  I am Al from Hillsboro TN.

[julief]

Hi and welcome to the forum.  I'm Julie from Texas.  Glad you found us.

[wombatie]

Welcome to the forum.  I'm Marg from Australia

[pierre62]

Welcome from Qu?bec, Canada

[don in brooklin on]

Hi

Don from Brooklin, Ontario, Canada.  Just east of Toronto

I use both GIMP and Inkscape (both free). Lots of tutorials around.

One recommendation is http://www.scrollsawvillage.com/articles.html/_/pattern-making/gimp/

Don

[Kragax]

Thanks for the welcomes! I downloaded both inscape and Gimp. Let the learning begin.

[pddesertrat]

Well, I finding it is certainly not as easy to make a pattern as I thought it would.  I've spent about three hours time working on my first one, no where near done and don't know if it will be any good when I think it is done. But I am enjoying the challenge.

[newfie]

welcome to the forum i'm Todd from NL Canada