I am making a lathe tool holder. The bottom ‘shelf’ will be 19" long x 2" wide x 1" thick. I want to put 1" circles down 3/4" deep. I have spent the last two hours attempting to get the dozen circles equally spaced (it would have helped if I had paid closer attention in High School math class). In this day and age of computers, one would think that equally spacing these circles would be simple. It has proved to be anything but. I attempted to use the “Equal Spacing” app in Easel, but that just screwed everything up that it erased over an hour’s worth of work. I watched the old (2022) video on using the spacing tools, and those tools do about everything EXCEPT “equally” space the circles.
Is there a tool that will actually space the circles equally apart from one another?
I own a mechanical spacing tool, Forstner bits, and a drill press. I could have had this project finished hours ago, but thought that I should design it in Easel to help me learn the software. It is amazing just how UN-user friendly this software is.
I admit that I am a beginner. I admit that I am NOT a computer person. I admit that there is a learning curve. But this is starting to get to me. There are no classes that a person can take. NOTHING is obvious. And it appears that every task requires either using an app, outside software, or making duplicate copies of projects - MANY duplicate copies - so that each and every cut can be done because the software is not capable of accepting a complete design and carving/cutting it.
spacing these circles seems to be no exception - but I’m hopeful that there is a tool in here somewhere that one of you can point me to that will actually equally space them.
I’d think that this would be a simple matter of entering the spacing of the first and last circle (they have to be inset from the sides a bit more than the internal spacing), and then the software equally space all of the circles between those two set points.
Does this exist???
It does exist! Simply select all items and press the “Distribute Horizontally” button at the top of the design window. Equally, you can use the “Distribute Vertically” feature as well; it is just to the right…
Before…
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Brandon R. Parker
sorry, just getting back to this. Glad that you showed the example that you did because it shows my dilemma. Note how your example goes off of the work piece. What I was trying to do, but did not have the time for a million trial and error, so I just made the piece too large and cut it down on the table saw.
the goal is equally spaced to the work piece, which means the spacing between each hole being the same distance on each end as well. For the life of me I could not figure out how to get that done. So as mentioned. I spaced them to what I calculated that the needed to be and left several inches on either end, then lopped the ends off to make it work. NOT the right way, but… adapt, improvise, overcome.
what is needed is to be able to equally space to the workpiece, and if it’s possible I couldnt figure it out.
@JosephJohnson1,
Well, one way to go about that would be to create all of your objects and get them aligned how you want them. Then, just group them together, select the center as the alignment location, and change the X-Position to the middle of the stock.
Does that make sense?
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Brandon R. Parker
The first thing I would do is learn 3D Cad. That skill will open up many options for CNCing. You can import your work into Easel.
Not sure… I suspect that I’ll need to tinker around and see if I can make sense of it. Thanks Brandon, I’ll reply back here once I’ve played around and either reply with “Ah Ha!!” or a question. stay tuned, and thanks for the reply
(BTW, this project, like most where I get stuck, was finished the old-fashioned way. I have 40 years of traditional woodworking experience but am desperately trying to learn CNC. but there comes a time when one realizes that he must cut and run and just get the damned project finished, and kick the can of learning down the road)
OH Gawd, say it ain’t so!
I’m struggling to learn Easel, I simply don’t have the bandwidth to learn an additional software program all the while attempting to feed myself.
I’m a traditional woodworker - NOT a computer guy. But I realize that I must adapt of die. I’m trying to flatten the Easel curve. Not sure how to do that if I must abandon that and take up learning a different program.
Question; are you saying that I made a huge mistake investing in an X-Carve Pro and Easel expecting to be able to make projects etc…?
Nope… I’m just saying you will get more out of any cnc or 3d printer if you can draw in 3d Cad.
Thanks Martin,
I’ll absorb this and give it much thought (you are not the first to mention working in CAD - or other software programs rather than Easel) and then importing to Easel.
I may come to the conclusion that I’ll need to research where I can go for classes. This learning curve is killing me.
