Segment calculating programs

[Tim Elett]

Any one using them when they make segmented bowls I am geometry challenged to say the least so I use programs is this cheating 🙄

[ChrisA Edwards]

I use this one

Imperial version
https://www.blocklayer.com/woodturning-segmentseng.aspx

Metric Version
https://www.blocklayer.com/woodturning-segments.aspx

[David Walser]

It's NOT cheating. Neither is using digital calipers or a digital angle gauge. But, using all three means you're not a real woodturner!

[Tim Elett]

David not sure what you mean.I do turn bowls and other things it's just a hobby, but I use the resources that are available to achieve a successful project . Just throwing a post for comment.

[Earl McLain]

I've been working on learning Jerry Bennett's Segmented Project Planner. It's pretty intuitive--but i still have trouble picking segment colors. That's my limitation, not the software's.
earl

[Peter White]

Woodturner Pro is very good lets you try before you purchase.Segment Project Planner is another.Both have videos to help you learn.

[Sam Force]

https://larrymarley.com/Shop_Utilities.html

This is good calculator for dimensions, it will give you segment length, angle and board length requirements and is free. It does not lay out a pattern or design

[David Walser]

Tim -- I was joking. You asked if using segment calculating software is "cheating". Well, if it is, then lots of other modern tools would be, too.

[Tim Elett]

No problem David, Dad used to say computers were a lazy way of doing math, but I never saw him doing segmented bowls with compound mitered staves, and cut over 200 pieces .He liked furniture building.

[Tim Elett]

By the way I have been using the programs mentioned, hopefully looking forward to learning more about feature rings. Thanks!

[Jim Hipp]

Some good YouTube videos on feature rings I bet.

[Robert Edington]

Any one using them when they make segmented bowls I am geometry challenged to say the least so I use programs is this cheating 🙄
I use Larry Marley also. It tells you how much wood you'll need as well.

[Randy Heinemann]

Of course you use whatever resources are available. Is it cheating to use a Festool Domino instead of cutting mortise and tenon joints? A dovetail jig instead of hand-cutting dovetails? Some would say yes but, and I rarely say this anymore, but they're wrong. Tools are tools, whether they are digital calipers, apps to calculate segments, or power sanders to sand bowls. It's all your work.