I teach in an environment that will not allow internet access. Could it be possible to allow schools an offline version of easel to use with the x-carve as this program seems very easy to understand and use. when I use programs like inkscape, freecad then UGCS the students get lost in the process. I understand that it would not be updated and current like the web app but it would be better than using all these programs to a carve. Thanks for your consideration on this matter.
Yes we have an internal network we use for testing software. but I can only hope that it would be possible, it would be a lot easier.
Tether it to your cell phone?
No cellular phones allowed where I work.
KennethConnell1 I feel your pain. I support two educational centers, probably in the same setting that you are teaching in. It sucks to have to call Microsoft every time we have to authenticate a windows or office install or bring in updates via external storage. I’ve asked a developer friend about the possibility of a man in the middle caching application.
I don’t understand why you would not have any internet access in an educational setting? How is this possible in this day and age? I am trying to understand the logic and also what is actually unavailable vs just blocked.
CJ
Don’t know about them but classes are held all of the time in our labs without internet access. No phones, no cameras, no mp3 players, no uncleared computers, no usb devices. And the instructors are escorted to the restrooms.
Hi @KennethConnell1 I am sorry but right now we don’t have an offline Easel version. You could use Universal G-Code Sender to send to the X-Carve.
Schools would be willing to pay for an offline version of easel with the existing features. The above comments are from teachers with limited or no access to the internet at their schools usually for religious reasons. I am in the same situation…the internet is a no no. I don’t have access till I get home. You’re right we can use UGS…but have been absolutely spoiled by your easel program. It’s just such an easy piece of software to use and teach.Please reconsider a stand alone version
If it is a firewall situation, you might want to talk to your IT dept about a firewall whitelist to allow the inventables domain.
In a state prison environment internet is not allowed for security reasons. but we try to teach the offenders job skills so that when they are released they can seek employment. no sense in asking for access to something you know will be denied. So you ask for something that can be possible, it is up the inventible if they want to allow an offline version, if not then I will just continue to make due with inkscape, UGS, F-engrave and others. by the way easel is one of the easiest and best programs to learn cad-cam that I have ever used. great work inventibles.
1 Like
Maybe you could work out an arrangement with Inventables to have a local Easel server within the prison which would allow you to use Easel without an Internet connection and would allow Inventables to maintain control of their intellectual property (or for whatever reason they don’t have an offline version).
@Zach_Kaplan Sure would be a heck of a publicity opportunity.
Might even be as big a hit as the cloud funded X-carve in every school.
1 Like
Hi @KennethConnell1 interesting situation hat you find yourself in. Are you able to share which facility you are working in? Also Does that facility have an X-Carve?
Zach
Hi Zach…Kenneth’s situation could be much the same in the schools we have been mentioning in that we have an internal server and would be able to work from there to the classroom (networked to the server alone. The server does have internet access for updates etc.) can’t say we don’t keep trying.
Sure, I work at Algoa Correctional Center in Jefferson City Mo. We purchased the 1000 X 1000 fully loaded X-Carve with the x controller. I also have this machine at home and love it. I teach Vocational Automotive and my students have watched shows like monster garage and gas monkey garage and street outlaws and see that they fabricate a lot of parts on those shows, I know that they have larger more expensive machines that they use but I just wanted to give them a taste of what goes into fabricating custom parts. right now we use inkscape and universal g-code sender, I have tried other programs but it would be nice to use your easel as it has a very easy interface with excellent editing tools that make creating custom parts simple, which is exactly what I am wanting to do. Thanks for your time and consideration in this matter and you guys are doing a great job at inventables.
1 Like
Hi @KennethConnell1 and @MikeKaplan thanks for that additional information. One thing to note is if you are able to connect to the internet to load Easel you can use it while offline. Easel doesn’t require an internet connection to send to the machine. Also you can consider blocking all IP’s except Easel.com so they could use Easel but not the rest of the internet.
It’s really cool that you are teaching folks in the correctional center 21st century skills to help them after they get out. I can imagine someone could have entered in a year where digital manufacturing was inaccessible due to complexity and cost and exit when it is ubiquitous, easy, and nearly free. That would be pretty hard to adjust to if you weren’t near a computer every day.
We are still a very small team so we have to pick which projects to tackle very carefully. The number of users and demands from them are increasing faster than the rate our team is increasing 
We constantly have to prioritize things like better file management, V-Carving, Chromebook and Linux support, Offline Easel, importing from CAD and a whole list of things I can’t publish publicly.
I really appreciate you taking the time to share a bit more context.
1 Like
I can connect to the internet in my office (which is secured away from the Inmates) but the students will never be allowed to connect on any level, period. If they were somehow able to connect on any site at any time they would be locked down in segregation and not allowed any contact with any one period. so no internet on any student computers ever. just a condition of the environment they are in. If you ever do decide to allow a standalone version I will definitely convince my supervisors to let us use it for the students. Thanks again and keep up the great work you guys are doing.
Hi Zach…I guess it always seems sensible and easy in our minds having no idea of the amount of design, application work and management that has to go into the release of a new or updated product. Please don’t get frustrated or put off by the many suggestions or “why nots” that we all seem to throw your way. Wouldn’t do it if we didn’t love the product.
2 Likes
Hey @MikeKaplan I LOVE the feedback. It’s the lifeblood of Inventables. As you all know it’s way easier to talk about a feature or an idea than build it, test it, fix it, ship it.
Right now it’s not that I don’t like the idea or the team doesn’t like the idea it’s really coming down to which feature to prioritize first. Also we have a bunch of features in the pipeline that we’ve been working on that we need to finish before we start a new feature so we don’t chase our tail so to speak.
This forum has been an amazing addition to Inventables and I feel so fortunate every time I come and ready the comments, ideas, and feedback you all bring.
Thank you so much!
3 Likes
For those that are interested for an offline solution I just found out that Carbide Create is now free and no longer proprietary to their machine only. I am downloading it and trying it out, I will post an update when I have tested it more.
3 Likes