Help - Need a Program to Write Beading Instructions

by Philonese
(Forest Park, Il )

Ladies,

I am looking for programs to write beading instructions. So far I have been using WORD, which I find aggravating.

Someone also told me about Inkscape and there is a tutorial on 3dbeading.com, but it looks sort of cumbersome, has anyone any experience with that program?

I don't want to spend a lot for a new software program and I don't want to have to take a class.

Drawing the circles for beads and getting the entire group to copy and then having it stay where I put it is driving me crazy.

I have to make up quite a few sets of instructions for classes that I am teaching at the LBS where I work. They need to be my instructions not ones I copied from a magazine.

These instructions are for bead weaving techniques, not string.

Thank you.
Philonese

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Help - Need a Program to Write Beading Instructions

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Software for writing beading instructions
by: Rena

Hi Philonese!

I have not personally used this program - so I'm not positive it will do what you need, but have you checked out BeadTool? (In the "Learn" section of their website, they have videos showing what it can do.)

Our talented beadweaving friend Dianne Culbertson mentioned her use of it here: BeadTool - Bead Design Software Fun - and after reading her writeup about it, you might want to get in touch with her for her insights.

I hope this helps!

Alternatives
by: KJ

Try http://doceri.com/

This is a whiteboard program that has been used well by Gwen Fisher to demonstrate bead patterns.

If you have Visio that is what I use and I make my own stencils.

If you are using Word I would suggest you make a copy of each picture as you move along as a base and edit on top of a copy. You might also want to work in a Table. Table rows will grow as you add the picture. You can put instructions on the right or left column- assuming only 2 columns. This will keep the instructions in line with the pictures.

Bead Tool
by: Philonese

Rena

I have Bead Tool. that is a program for laying out pattern designs in peyote,square, brick ot loom stitches. I need one for writing instructions not designing. but I decided not to re-make the wheel. I suddenly thought duh, I am a professional photographer. So I have photograhed each step of the instructions and placed the photos in POWERPOINT and it came out great. But I'll still keep looking because there are some times when I will still want to have drawn diagrams and I don't want to keep re-drawing little bitty beads. But thanks any way.

Smart Coversions
by: Dianne Culbertson

I use Beadtool but I have also found a cool program that converts my tutorials into PDF which everyone can open. I use it for patterns and tutorials other than my peyote, brick, etc. Of course you have to write it first but then it just flies. The conversion takes place at the click of a mouse! You can do other stuff with it too but I use ut mainly for this purpose. One of the problems with word is that it is not a friendly format for patterns, tutorials and the like and often your customers can't open it. It is called Smart PDF Creator and you want the PRO edition so you can edit... Hope this helps!

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