Cue Design Software

I'm not aware of any very specific cue design software, but there are many illustration software programs to select from. The absolute best would be Adobe Illustrator. I create designs using an older version of Adobe Photoshop and I get the job done decently with that. But Illustrator will definitely give you more controls. You could also look at some basic CAD software for an option, you can also look into 3D modeling software. I cant give you any recommendations for those options as I just dont deal with those kinds of programs. But it shouldnt be diffulcult to learn about those program options online.
 
I use Inkscape which is free and fairly easy to use. It's a vector drawing program and similar to Illustrator.

Kevin
 
For a free 3D solution, you could probably use Google Sketchup... it's an online design program mostly used for architecture or interior design, but you can use it to make basic 3d shapes too. You can then add a custom texture to the shape, but the thing is... you'd be drawing this custom texture in photoshop probably.

I dunno if it's really important to have the cue be 3D since one side of it usually matches the other, so I'd just mock up the whole thing in photoshop.
 
I use Inkscape which is free and fairly easy to use. It's a vector drawing program and similar to Illustrator.

Kevin

I second the Inkscape recommendation. I have used it for numerous tasks over the years, starting with mechanical design, designing a logo or two, and now for cue making. It isn't as powerful as some other software, but the price is right and has enough features.

DraftSight is another one worth taking a look at.
 
One of the members, a builder was using 3D Studio Max.

He was making some pretty nice designs.

I have it. Maybe there is a trial version you can get.
 
For a free 3D solution you could probably use Google Sketchup... it's an online design program mostly used for architecture or interior design, but you can use it to make basic 3d shapes too. You can then add a custom texture to the shape, but the thing is... you'd be drawing this custom texture in photoshop probably.

I dunno if it's really important to have the cue be 3D since one side of it usually matches the other, so I'd just mock up the whole thing in photoshop.
If you thought you might want to go 3-D, here's an example of a cue I did with Sketchup:

Cue_6_S1.jpg

Cue_6_S2.jpg

Cue_6_S3.jpg

Cue_6_S4.jpg

For what it's worth, the model is in the Sketchup warehouse here (bottom right corner).

You'll have to view the tutorials to use Sketchup - there'll be a bit of a learning curve. But, if 3-D is what you want....

Jim
 
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