First design using Glass Eye

> Thank you, Michael You are right about the border needing to be divided.

One thing I see that would concern me (based on your previous comments about your skill level) is that there are a lot of pieces that have inside curves that taper off to a fairly sharp tip where the piece goes in around the teardrop shaped pieces. Those sharp tips are problems in two ways. First, they are (depending on the glass) sometimes difficult to cut and preserve the tip. Secondly, they are a very weak part of the design. If any part of it breaks during construction or installation, it will be right across those tips.

I think the diamonds on the inside border ought to go. They were the first thing I noticed and the focal point of your design is really the center part. They make the design look to tense. Break that border up with just lines or break it up and add some addition corresponding color. I also don't like that big diamond in the center. An oval would look more appealing.

> Thank you, Michael think also about fold lines and try to break them up

Those sharp tips are problems in two ways... If any part of it breaks during construction or installation, it will be right across those tips.

**************** Thank you for the comments. I am going to try and tune up the design and reduce the sharp points. I have seen many windows with broken pieces in them. I would like as much as possible to avoid building weakness into a window.

Michael

I think the diamonds on the inside border ought to go. They were the first thing I noticed and the focal point of your design is really the center part. They make the design look to tense. Break that border up with just lines or break it up and add some addition corresponding color. I also don't like that big diamond in the center. An oval would look more appealing.

**************** Thank you for the suggestions, Neo. Ever since I started it, I have not felt comfortable with the combination of curves and diamonds in the center. I've got another centerpiece that I'm thinking about using instead.

Michael

think also about fold lines and try to break them up.

**************** Are the fold lines places where sets of straight lines come closest to going through the entire design? If so, I've got lines going all the way through the designs right inside the outer borders. Is that a problem on a 20" x 45" window? Thank you for commenting, Charlie.

Michael

Very nice as is. How long did it take you to do it start to finish? Include the time to print it on multiple sheets and tape together. It would probably take me about 30 minutes to draw it out by hand, but I'm too old and lazy to take the time to learn the program.

I Dunno there Michael.....

I like the Diamond shapes. It's a bit less "traditional" than many other panels and maybe that's why I like it... I think if I were going to change anything, it might be the shape of the 'orange' pieces instead. Perhaps pieces that aren't so circular in the ends. I find they tend to hide the nice diamond structure in the middle. Either way, I like the panel...

Just my .02

BTW, how was the learning curve with the software ? Are you enjoying it thus far ?

/MM

Either way, I like the panel... BTW, how was the learning curve with the software ? Are you enjoying it thus far ?

************* Thanks for the comments! I like the software. The last time I did stained glass was many years ago and I did the designs by hand. It was a long drawn out process for someone without an artist's instincts. It involved a lot of experimentation, juggling of lines and curves and motifs. That is something that Glass Eye excels at. I also like being able to color the window in. It might not be an exact rendering of the final window, but at least I get a warm fuzzy.

Complaints about the software? None yet, but because I am on vacation, I have not printed any designs out yet. My guess is that it's smooth with no problems. Drawing curves is a little tricky. You cannot freehand draw any lines or curves. It involves a connection of points that you designate. A straight line is not a problem of course, done with two points, but the algorithm that plots the curves between a series of three or more points is a little bit tricky. It might be nice to be able to draw a curve by dragging the mouse around, and then use a smoothing function to get the jitters out. Macromedia's Flash web software does that. What I did was look at the examples to see how curves were done in them.

I'm going to buy the software. No question there. The question is which version I get. I've been comparing features and I think that the cheapest version they have is going to suit a hobbyist like me just fine.

Michael

yes. a line that goes almost through the entire width or height is subject to folding on that line. makes it hard to flip over, but not so much if in a sturdy frame, although it will be a weak point without bar reinforcement. it also causes cracks in the pieces that bridge the fold lines, since that's where the panel is going to flex the most.

Very nice as is. How long did it take you to do it start to finish? Include the time to print it on multiple sheets and tape together. It would probably take me about 30 minutes to draw it out by hand, but I'm too old and lazy to take the time to learn the program.

****************** Thank you! I can't see how the software would be of much value to you, Glassman. My guess is that from conception to ready-to-go pattern is a very short turnaround for you. Not so for me. It took me somewhere between two and three hours, but that included coming up to speed on the software (not much problem there) and also a bunch of fiddling around with it, messing with the border, making the curves on the inside border, and changing the size of the border diamonds. My guess is that without the software I would have been messing with the design for several more hours.

Michael

I could draw it out in 25 minutes.

I can draw it with the program in 15min, but have used it alot,

Well I could draw it with pencil in 10 minutes but didn't want to sound like a bragger.

I could copy and paste it and print it out in about 45 seconds, flat. So what's the point?

I thought we were playing "name that tune" with a glass pattern, I was bluffing, and Neo, you are bragging LOL

seriously, the idea and concept behind designing with a computer is never draw anything twice, pull it up from the archives/library and use it, flip it, stretch it, extend it , repeat it, get the drift? SO in Michaels design, you draw one quarter of it, then flip, and because there are essentially so many repeated functions, that is "repeated" copy/ paste etc.

As far as the design itself, Michael, I have no opinion as to likes or dislikes, it works, but I do have a question or two you could ask yourself when designing that may help you with any program you choose.

Decide on the function of the window, If the idea of the design of that transom was to make it look shorter in height than what it is, to perhaps make a ceiling near it look not so tall, that does it, even with a border giving true window size, that design with all the pieces in the center of the window area, and so much clear glass around it, makes the window look shorter.

When I looked at the pattern earlier I wondered why all the clear glass area? Why so much design packed together in the middle, open it up, use the room you have, and do not be afraid of those tails, your natural hinge lines will be gone if you open the design and let the vertical lines be minimized, unless your intent is to let more light thru a northern exposure window, then lots will come thru the clear.

You see how much goes into the thought process when you are putting pretty windows in your house? You need to consider all variables as to light quality, where on the world it is located and how much light you want in or blocked and controlled by what you are designing.

off my soapbox, back to the flame wars!!

Geez...did you learn all that in some on-line glass campus, or from your years as a basement bandit? LOL (Remember, I've been in yer basement.)

You see how much goes into the thought process when you are putting pretty windows in your house?

************* Thank you for the many comments. I had a few thoughts in mind when doing the design. I'm going opalescent because it will have more color to it at night, and I don't have to worry about sacrificing outside view during the day because it only looks up to the sky. Even if it's opalescent, if it's not backlit it can be hard to see lead lines in same-color glass, so I chose to put a lot of contrasting pieces against others but still maintain a color theme. There is also a neutrality of content that pleases me.

We're heading back to southern Indiana tomorrow morning. I hope to have this window put together within a few days after returning. It might take significantly longer if I can't get the glass I need at the local Glass store. I'm also working on another transom design.

Michael

then you have to start thinking about colors. dark red, dark green, blues, browns, etc will all look black at night.