Here are some feature requests. I know that some of these have been requested in the past, but I believe that they deserve to be mentioned again:
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an “Eraser” tool. I know the ‘work-around’ to the fact that it is not possible to erase portions of a design that do not need to be carved (select a shape, use shape to cover the portion to be erased, then set the depth of cut for that shape to ‘zero’. I think that any thinking person realizes how much time and effort that this process wastes over being able to just remove/eliminate/erase the portions that need to NOT be part of the design (a great example is a simple Christmas ornament. Needs a circle, with a little ‘bump-out’ at the top for a hook. This requires the main circle, then a small circle for the bump-out at the top. Then a circle and a square, to cover and white-out the lines where the two circles intersect. THEN, if one wants the X-Carve to cut out the ornament instead of manually cutting it out on a bandsaw/scroll saw, one needs to make another series of circles to both enclose the ornament AND block out the lines at the intersection. This is a VERY sophomoric way to do design lay-outs. I suppose it is why so many users tell me to use different software for design. “EASEL SUCKS for design and layout” they tell me. Boy, am I learning the truth in that statement. And what’s more, the fix is a simple one used in MOST design software (hell, Outlook has it!).
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add “cut/copy/paste” to the right mouse click instead of making the user constantly click the ‘edit’ button (EVERY software program that I have EVER used has this feature, so I think that it is something that users expect in a software program
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allow more than 2 bits for a design. I know that you have had this request many times before, so I won’t explain the obvious. Just want to get it back onto the radar.
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allow users to dictate which bit is used for which function of a carve. Perfect example. Made a carve with a delicate carved image as well as a ‘cut out’. The detail carve is with a 1/32" bit. As directed by other users, I did the ‘detail’ carve FIRST, so that the software would cut out the item AFTER when I did the rough cut. NOPE!!! the software decided that it should cut the project out using a 1/32" bit during the detail cut!!!???!!!
Now everyone - myself included knows the “work-around” to the limitation of not being able to dictate which bits are used for which parts of the carve… make multiple windows/carves. But think about it. If someone is making a very simple design, should that require six separate operations??? the layout/design time that is wasted is incalculable, there are FAR too many instances whereby the user must “work around” a limitation in the software. This is just one most glaring case. -
make it possible to set the depth of cut for an entire cut when the carve is ‘grouped.’ Oftentimes there are multiple elements to a design, and they ALL need to be carved to the same depth. When this happens it is very time consuming to go and set the depth of cut for each element. I understand WHY the limitation currently exists, (perhaps the user does NOT want all elements to carve to the same depth) and that makes sense. A simple solution would be to have a pop-up warning that if the depth of cut is set while “grouped” it will change the depth of cut for ALL of the design elements, and then have the user confirm “yes” or “no” if he wishes to proceed.
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include part numbers for Inventables bits in the toolbox. Many of the bits look alike, and I struggle to tell some of them apart (the color coding helps but is imperfect - for instance you have several bits that are coded with red, and several that are coded with green. When I receive bits from inventables, I write the part number on its case. If that number corresponded with the bit in the ‘toolbox’ it would eliminate any mistakes.
6a) after adding the part numbers to bits in the toolbox, make that part number linkable to the order page for that bit. I break bits. I break a LOT of bits. Usually it is operator error (this learning curve is brutal), and other times it is either an Easel issue (Easel should NEVER attempt a cut-through on a ‘detail pass’ but the software is not yet perfected, see above suggestions), and sometimes it is the machine’s fault (I swear that my Mahine is possessed. It does things that are not programmed in Easel. Tec Support often cannot diagnose the problem. Such is life in the REAL world when using digital technology (just see my P.O.S. EV parked in the driveway that even the manufacturer cannot understand). The point being that bits break. That’s reality. If you would like to sell more bits, make doing so - EASY!!!
- add a “clear all except pocket” option for the “tool path” menu. This would be helpful for many different types of carves. Yes, there are several ‘work-arounds’ to get to this, but if you are following a theme here, the reason that many users do not use Easel is because there are too many cases where it is necessary to “work-around” limitations with the software. Carving a “negative” is super simple, simply click on “clear path”, However, when a user wants the carve to be “positive” instead of “negative” multiple steps must be taken to get there. If there was a “clear all except pocket”, the process would be simple. And if you want to make this software better “SIMPLE” is KEY!!
7a) I also wonder if such an option (#8) would make inlays easier - I can’t say since I have yet to make a successful inlay despite many attempts. IF- this is a solution to inlays, perhaps add the ability to make an “off-set” of one or more thousandths of an inch -either making the ‘negative’ pocket one or more thousandth of an inch larger, or the ‘positive’ one or more thousandth of an inch smaller. Just a thought from someone who doesn’t yet know how to get around all of the problems with making a simple inlay
Hardware: This last one is not an Easel request but tacking it on here in case anyone cares. I have yet to find a useful purpose for one of the Inventables 1/32" bits. They are too long and as a result the lateral leverage is simply unreasonable and so they break upon contact with any material (I just had one break when my thumb touched it). No one needs a 1/32" bit to be 1" long. Such a fine detail bit is… well… for fine detail work. a bit that long is simply too fragile to carve… well… anything. EVERY time - Bar NONE - that I have tried to use a 1/32" bit, it broke upon first contact with the material. Please consider supplying a better option for a 1/32" bit (I presume that they exist out there somewhere). Yes, I can go out and find one and buy it. Honestly, I prefer to use Inventables bits (even though I pay a premium) because they then show up in the toolbox as a photo, which makes it easier for me. So, for me, it is worth the extra costs of using Inventables offered bits
Final note: Many of us users get frustrated, and from time to time we express that frustration. Non more guilty than me I suppose. If I sound frustrated, I apologize. Please know that EVERY Easel/X-Carve user has a vested interest in making Inventables BETTER. I cannot speak for anyone but myself, but I invested everything that I have (had) into this little shop and small business. My X-Carve Pro is central to that investment. My business (and by default - I) will succeed or fail, for better or worse, with the X-Carve Pro & Easel… I’m simply out of money and cannot change directions now. So believe me when I tell you, Inventables success IS - in a very literal sense - MY success. It is for this reason that I hope that you will view user requests seriously