PC Software & Dremel

[mcgregornw]

Hi

I am a newbee when it comes to building and designing lightsaber hilts. I was t just wondering if anyone could help me with the name of the software people us to design the sabers on pc as i have piles of paper design.

I would also like to know what dremel or rotary tool some experienced designers/builders would recommend.

Any help is appreciated

[Perrin Khalon]

I don,t use any pc software just sketches and graph paper. As for the rotary tool I use a Dremel with different tools for cuttinig, grinding and polishing. It has been extremely usefull but I recomend practicing on a scrap piece of metal or whatever you are cutting to get use to how it handles.

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

I got the Dremmel, name-brand rotary tool. With adjustable speeds and a selection of different heads. I do other costuming and it can come in handy with that as well, so I wanted to get something that I felt sure would last and would be most versatile. There are import brands that are cheaper, but I don't know how well they do long term, so I stuck with the known, reliable Dremmel tool.

[LoreenShadowchaser]

Yep, I agree. A Dremel with variable speeds is the way to go, if it's in your budget. I have had mine for many years and it has never let me down.

I didn't know there was software for designing lightsabers. I also use paper to sketch out design ideas, then graph paper for tracing out the size of actual parts or cuts I want to make.

I often buy 2 pieces of pipe when I start, since the first one sometimes ends up being my "practice" piece.

One important tip I have is to use several layers of masking tape, the blue painters tape works well, since it comes off easily, on the outside of your cuts to protect the surface of your hilts if (or should I say when?) you slip with your dremel.

[Leda EmBorr]

I think the software you're referring to just a basic graphics program like Adobe Illustrator. It's just a tool, like pencil and paper, nothing specifically made for designing lightsabers. You could scan in your drawings and render them cleaner, or you could start from scratch. I guess you could use a CAD program if to do it also, but I'm not familiar with those kinds of programs.

[Jeffrek]

For design I use CorelDraw10 which is getting on a bit now as I think there up to 12 or 13 already. Its like Adobe Illustrator in that its vector based design software. So its easy to pull shapes around and make changes.
Still a very good comprehensive drawing package.

Has some handy tools like dimension which allows you to draw things 'full size' on the pc, add in the sizes and then print it out to fit nicely. Great for doing those side layout plans and adding shading etc.

[mcgregornw]

Thanks for all the info, I didnt think there would be any specific software for designing them. I just can't seem to get it looking 100% on paper with colours etc

Hopefully all this info will help

Thanks