Build a cue... Final Stages

Billiard Architect

Billiard Architect

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I am putting the final touches on a project that I think some of you may be interested in.

It is called build-a-cue.

Basically it lets people build their cues online by selecting different components and it shows a graphical representation of the cue in the window above. When they click the submit button it generates a list of what the customer wants and emails it to the cuebuilder.

Cool thing is it is completely configurable to your specs, woods, prices etc.

I am thinking of doing this 2 ways... Either you host it on your web site or you can have it hosted on mine.

If you would like to have this on your website please either PM me or email me @ john@kirchelconsulting.com. I am willing to take cues in lew of payment for setting it up and maintining it for you.

Cool thing is it is completely configurable to your specs, woods, prices etc.

Here is the link to check out the prototype.

http://www.kirchelconsulting.com/bactemp99/bac.asp

JV
 
This is neat - I was thinking about making something similar for my clients. Did you look into using Flash for it?
 
One of the probs with flash is its access to dynamic files. I did not want to have to create ini's for loading the images and prices. I wanted to just be able to load a file and have the website do the rest. Much easier for a cuemaker to just upload a file to the site than telling him how to edit an ini.
 
I guess I need to clarify... When I said I would take cues instead of payment... I meant I am willing to take an offering of 'a cue' (singular) that you have already made or have. I guess I wasn't clear. Sorry I didn't have a bunch of time to type the post.

For those of you that are not cue builders please let me know what you think and if this would make things easier in explaining what you would want and see what your cue would look like when it was built.

Also please offer suggestions to make it better. I love criticism... seriously... go ahead be brutal... (well not too brutal, remember I do have feelings)

JV
 
That's pretty fvckin awesome Johnny, great idea and I think many builders will be interested


Johnny "V" said:
I am putting the final touches on a project that I think some of you may be interested in.

It is called build-a-cue.

Basically it lets people build their cues online by selecting different components and it shows a graphical representation of the cue in the window above. When they click the submit button it generates a list of what the customer wants and emails it to the cuebuilder.

Cool thing is it is completely configurable to your specs, woods, prices etc.

I am thinking of doing this 2 ways... Either you host it on your web site or you can have it hosted on mine.

If you would like to have this on your website please either PM me or email me @ john@kirchelconsulting.com. I am willing to take cues in lew of payment for setting it up and maintining it for you.

Cool thing is it is completely configurable to your specs, woods, prices etc.

Here is the link to check out the prototype.

http://www.kirchelconsulting.com/bactemp99/bac.asp

JV
Click to expand...
 
Johnny,

It's a great concept. Something that could really work well for people. It was very easy to use. I know it's pre-release, so take these comments with a grain of salt if you're already familiar with these issues

* As far as I can tell, it will not work with Firefox3. Loads incorrectly and doesn't display any image. (So I used IE for the rest of my comments)

* When I chose either of the irish linen grip options, it displayed a black leather instead

* There is not a "leather" option for the grip

* The "all rings the same" checkbox didn't seem to do anything for me. I could still change the rings independently. It would make sense (to me) if this checkbox grayed out the B-E checkboxes and only allowed you to change ring A (and auto. changed the others)

It's a great site. good luck with it.

-James
 
Didn't work for me in FF3 or Google Chrome. Works in IE7. Looks pretty cool. This is something that I have wanted to do with cases for a while. Ever since I ordered my Timbuk2 bag way back in 2001. www.timbuk2.com

I can't find anyone to develop it the way I want to though. To be fair I haven't looked real hard either. Although I have found some sort of off-the-shelf applications that could work - they are pretty pricey though.

Mostly for t-shirt sites and promotional items.

This is a pretty cool application Jon. Nice job with it. Hopefully it can work in other browsers soon.
 
The program looks pretty good. Here are options I would consider:

1. Straighten the lines on the veneers so that they don't appear to mesh

2. Configure a "Finish" function for at least the forearm and butt sleeve. This would allow the customer to preview both dull and glossy cues which some people prefer one over the other.

3. Continue to expand the choices by designing the program in blocks where you can issue updates that will not change function of the entire program.


In praise, I really like the checkered ring design. I would love to see this expanded. You could also produce a more detailed program for cue makers who offer various inlays. A drag-and-drop function could be utilized, and a copy of the designed cue sent to the cue maker along with the text file outlining the customer's requests.
 
Ok I am going to see if I can answer all questions and comments in one post. If I miss one sorry...

As for Firefox I have not tested on the other browsers just yet. i am sure that it has to do with the dhtml and the way the images are loaded. I am planning on fixing that when I get closer to a final product.

The grips are linen just not white and green. The images that I am currently using are dummy images and not what will be used for the final product. Ed Wheat, who had the original idea, is working with me on aquiring the proper images. We have a site that I am going to be using to replace the current images.

As for adding more options for the existing components the application is smart enough to add each one as the file is uploaded. It uses the filename to put it in the proper component and tells the drop down its name and the additional cost to the cue. It basically reads the directory and builds the webpage based on that information.

The checkbox does not do anything yet except tell the cuemaker that the client wants all rings the same. I have a newer version of the file that almost does what it needs to. There are a couple of bugs in that one and the reason I didn't show it. (nice catch on that one)

Yes the veneer is a problem. Ed suggested a larger cue pic which I may work on in the next week or two. I am thinking of showing a 3 section cue. Forearm / grip / butt and cap. That way I can make the veneers thicker and more noticable.

I can put any component/finish/tip on this... It really boils down to what the cuemaker wants to offer to his clients.

Right now I have the application in one web page and plan on separating some of the functionality out into modules. I was really going to look into version 2 already with the 3D api that someone else suggested.

Thank you all for the great responses (and reps) that I have received and I also want to thank Eddie Wheat for his input.

Some have asked how much and when I say 1500 they gasp. If anyone has ever had a website built and asked for something custom like this the prices will start @ 2500 for one on one customization like this. And as stated before I will take a cue in payment. Pretty reasonable I think.
 
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