FishArt 3

 After the proof is OK-ed I begin on the workup by laying the elements I need right on top of the proof to size.  I find it is easier to work in the computer at 100% size this is one less step I have to work with later as well as eliminating one more mistake I could make..  That doesn't mean that adjustments don't happen.. after I presented the client with this design she changed her mind and wanted a different layout for some of the fish..  Ah well that is why computers have a alt Z...

Fish Art 2

It is easier to play with the drawings than working up a real model.. but as with anything that is faster and easier it has it's flaws.. With this form of proof one has to use some imagination to see the final project.  One thing that jumped out at the client and I was that fact that being 8' long was just too big for the space..  So we scaled it down to 74" This made the H of the background at 12"  I don't know how these things work them selves out.  Most of the time I have to cheat them to make them fit.  Ah I will never spit on luck...

Fish Art 1

I have started a art installation for above a fireplace. This started with the fish test and now has moved on to the conceptual sketches, then the the visualize mock-up...  The sketch was the first step I made to scale on graph paper. Sometimes it is faster for me to fall back on the old ways..  Things I tried to remember was keep odd numbers of subjects break the edges, and overlap....  Some technical aspects I tried to keep in mind as well are the limits of my bench and the restrictions of my equipment...   I need it to break apart at the 4' mark for easy shipping.

Photos of fish carving.

This is the first of several fish I am going to cut for a fireplace mantel.  I think I will experiment in cutting patterns to see whether or not I can get the look I want.. I could etch in actual scales or I could simulate scales with a pattern of millings...

Fish Carving

Here are the uTube videos of the fish carving.  I started carving with a .25 spiral up to rough cut then a .125 round nose for a finishing.  The .125 round nose bit is offset so it leaves a wavy pattern.

Stain Stain Stain

The finishing of the gun handle has begun.. I thought a good color was Gunstock..  A little foam brush rubber gloves and 4 to 6 hours of drying time..

Simulating the cut

The working model can and does have a lot more detail than the final cut.  So I simulated what final would look like.  Aspire is like having 2 programs in one..  The first side builds the model the second generates the cutting paths and simulates tool cuts..  It is a mind-bending right brain left brain thing..  One thing I wish Aspire could do is have custom paths you could cut in..  Right now it just has spiral and in a straight line.  I would like to be able to enter in a wave or helix pattern to leave the cutting witness in the work when I am done..  It would add one more level of texture to the work..

I ran 6 cuts over the same part.  First a spiral v bit cut then 5 round bit cuts
First at 0 deg
2nd at 90
3rd at 60
4th at 30
and the
5th spiral again but this time it had a round nose.

I don't think this is practical in real life.  You can spend 3 to 4 hours cutting and get the same results as 20 min with a bit of sandpaper. I might be forced to stick with 2 path runs and 1 tool change.