 GLASS
EYE 2000
The original edition of Glass Eye, a Computer Aided Design (CAD) program
developed specifically for stained glass artists, was released in 1996.
The innovative program, which was developed by Dragonfly Software, has
been sold to thousands of people in over 40 countries. In June 2001 the
new version of this program, which Dragonfly refers to as the "Glass Eye
for the 21st Century", has been released under the name of Glass Eye
2000.
The IGGA was loaned a beta version of this software and for several
months I have been testing its capabilities and new functions.
Installation was easy and straightforward. My testing was done on a PC
running Windows 98.
After the installation, I was surprised at how easy it was to begin
using the program. You create patterns in two different ways. Drawing is
accomplished by using small "knots" or points on the screen to define
your shape. Once you create the knots, the program automatically draws
the lines and curves (similar to "connect the dots"). You can easily
modify the shapes by relocating the knots. There appears to be no limit
to the complexity of the shapes you can achieve. I was especially
impressed with the ease with which the program draws smooth curves. In
addition, the program can handle leadlines of virtually any width (or
even no width at all, useful for doing patterns for fusing).
A second way to create a pattern is to import an existing image. You can
do this directly from a scanner, or by importing a file. Unlike the
original Glass Eye, which could only handle a single file format, Glass
Eye 2000 handles most popular file formats, including JPEG and TIFF
files. Once imported, you can trace the pattern and then modify it if
desired or just rescale and print out.
The printing functions of Glass Eye 2000 also worked well. The program
allows for printing actual size patterns or resizing to fit on a page.
Really large patterns are automatically "tiled" or printed on multiple
pages that can be taped together.
In addition to improved file handling and printing capabilities, Glass
Eye 2000 also boasts several major enhancements. Probably the most
useful of these is the library of glass samples from Armstrong,
Bullseye, Kokomo, Spectrum, Uroboros, and Youghiogheny. These samples
can actually be incorporated in your patterns, giving you a much better
impression of how the finished work will appear. It's even possible to
add more images to the glass library (or even to design your own glass
colors).
Other enhancements included in Glass Eye 2000 are automatic piece
numbering, a calculator for cost estimation, the ability to put text
annotations on the drawing, and an extensive built-in Help function. The
automatic piece numbering was especially impressive, with the ability to
precisely fit the number in the right place on each piece, no matter how
complex.
Glass Eye 2000 is an impressive package. It allows even the novice to
quickly and easily design and print out patterns. It's well worth
looking into for those who do a lot of pattern design, especially
considering the available of a free month long trial at Dragonfly
website (www.dfly.com). If desired, you can also download a free pattern
resizer. Dragonfly also has a library of over 340 patterns that is also
freely available online.
The one quibble I do have is the decision by Dragonfly to offer the
software in two versions: Standard and Professional. The Standard
edition has the full drawing and printing capability, but it has only
limited text, piece numbering, and image import and export functions.
More significantly, it also lacks the library of glass samples and the
ability to assign prices to glass.
~ Brad Walker
Common Ground: Glass is published quarterly as
the newsletter of the
International Guild of Glass Artists, Inc., a 501(c)(6)
nonprofit corporation. The IGGA is an association of artists working in
glass as an artistic medium, seeking to share experiences and a passion
for glass with all interested parties. Unless otherwise stated, all
submitted materials become the property of the writer or Common Ground:
Glass and cannot be reproduced without permission.
Copyright © 2001 |
