How many would buy Cue desinging program?

[Snapshot9]

How many would buy Cue designing program?

First off, the poll can have more than 1 choice, SO if you select in the future sometime, please still select your top dollar for the program.

I am a retired Sr. Systems (or Software) Engineer. Systems Development was my forte', so to speak. I developed many large mainframe systems, mostly in the Aircraft and Medical fields, both batch and online, or a combination of each. I have developed some 'online' PC systems, but usually not raw development, but using other product software.

If I took it upon myself to develop a 'Cue Design' program, and a good one,
not a crappy one (I have never done those), how many of you would be
interested in buying it? And how much would you be willing to pay (Poll).

Consider that I might have to buy proprietary language software, and maybe more than one, to do the system, and the indepth time it would take to develop all options of the program, especially if 3D options were offered.

This is not an easy task, and I would expect to make a profit from it over time, and on an ongoing basis. I am good at what I do, and feel sure that
I could do it, BUT I do know it is a LOT OF HARD WORK.

Please give me your feedback, and not only for the AZB posters, but what
your thoughts are for the General Pool arena for this type of program.

I have the time to do it, and would spend 40-70 hrs a week on it in development. I would probably select certain AZB members to alpha test for me, with some feedback for improvement or possible additional options,
but realize that the production model has to be cut off at some point,
and maybe without some desired labor intensive options.

 

[Michael Webb]

I didn't answer the poll but I would like one that involves, points, veneers, wraps, joints, butt sleeves diamonds and windows.
Thanks in advance.

 

[shoutout33]

Snapshot,

It honestly would depend on how flexible and user friendly the application would be. I plan to get back into my art, and one of the things I plan to do to get my confidence back (IMHO...) is to do cue designs. I'm not talking about Photoshop either...well, mabey to do touch-ups, but for the most part, I'm more of a tradtionalist wannabe. Pencils, color pencils, inks, etc. How easy would it be to create the cue?

Will you already have a template, both 2-D and 3-D to start off with or does the user have to create everything from scratch? Is it going to be like a drawing program or more of a cut-n'-paste sort of thing? I mean, there is so much I could ask you about this program, at least from an artistic side, and how you plan to put it together. One thing I'd want to know is do you plan to have your program be compatible with other computer art programs like Photoshop or Corell Draw? It'd be way cool if you did and would probably make it easier for you because the user could take the basic design and then port in over to PS or CD and tweak it from there...if that makes any sense.

As far as price goes, well, not sure on that one because I've heard about some really good animation and art progams that you can download for free. But since this would be the first of its kind (And since I just started my cue business and could right it off anyway...), I'd say depending on what you did with it...$40-$70 would be a good range, but if you wanted to head more towards $100, I could understand that too. For what it's worth though, many blessings and good fortune towards your project if...I mean, when you get is started.

PS: Didn't see the poll thingie until I finished my post...my bad.

 

[Snapshot9]

Michael ...

I didn't answer the poll but I would like one that involves, points, veneers, wraps, joints, butt sleeves diamonds and windows.
Thanks in advance.

All those are a given. There would be a selection window for desired choice for any of those from sample pictures of what is currently being offered in Pool. I would cover all the basics, and try to offer where you could develop
your own shapes and patterns for points, veneers, etc..

The only thing at this point that is not a given is whether 3D would be offered in the initial version of it, or whether 2D, then enhance later with
3D. Also, later versions would include any new techniques developed by
cuemakers over time.

 

[Michael Webb]

All those are a given. There would be a selection window for desired choice for any of those from sample pictures of what is currently being offered in Pool. I would cover all the basics, and try to offer where you could develop
your own shapes and patterns for points, veneers, etc..

The only thing at this point that is not a given is whether 3D would be offered in the initial version of it, or whether 2D, then enhance later with
3D. Also, later versions would include any new techniques developed by
cuemakers over time.

I'm a pretty simple person, I would just like to show people a better draft of what they want, with out going nuts. The less time I'm on this computer, the more I spend in the shop.

 

[PoolSleuth]

Scott I think if you build it, and it works, it will sell.

 

[Snapshot9]

Michael ...

I'm a pretty simple person, I would just like to show people a better draft of what they want, with out going nuts. The less time I'm on this computer, the more I spend in the shop.

I realize the 'different modes' potential customers might be in. Cuemakers,
basic user friendly with basic templates for a fast easy rendition for a cue, but with the ability to later modify it with other more sophisticated parts or inlays. Where your normal Pool player might want to spend hours in designing his own cue he wants. I would also produce pictures of a desgned cue with a qualified Bill of Material, or Parts list, to assist the cuemaker or Pool player. Port to well known programs will depend partially on their ability to receive files, and in what format. This is just an idea now, and I would probably relate my development phases to AZB for partial feedback as I went along. I would actually have sit down and develop the systems parts with details, before I could talk of the more intricate parts of it.

I also have shot Pool for 44 years, first as a money player, later on in
leagues and tournaments, with some measure of success, not at the pro
level, but more at the semi-pro level. I also have a friend who is a cuemaker here in Wichita, Bob Owen for Shurtz custom cues, who I am
sure would be willing to test the program and give me his feedback from
a cuemakers perspective.

I have had much experience in different areas within a manufacturing environment (3 Aircraft companies - Boeing, Learjet and Raytheon) and
I am familiar with manufacturing processes. And I have worked with 3D
programs on Pc's and mainframes (Catia) and coverting 2D to 3D.

 

[Onemoreyouth]

i designed some of my own cues in autocad and mechanical desktop7 in high school... i had fun with it.... but that stuff takes a good bit of knowledge to operate.. and tose programs are crazy expensive... they also do a lot more too though....

i would probably be willing to drop a hundred on it..

 

[Snapshot9]

Well ...

Scott I think if you build it, and it works, it will sell.

If I build it, it will work. I did have a reputation in Wichita in the Data Processing world, and I achieved success with many systems that others
had failed at. My systems for the 'Small Business Administration' and
EEO/AFF systems for Learjet (worked there over 18 years) received the
'systems of the year' awards. One particular system I did, for which I am
very proud of, was my 'Costed Bill of Material' system for Learjet. From an online request screen, with security and to any printer within the company, including other divisions, like Tucson, they could request a costed bill of material down to 9 levels (and printed in idented outline form on 8.5 x 11 paper) from 1 part to the WHOLE PLANE (23,000 total parts with assemblies, sub-assemblies, and phantom parts) that were completely costed out with overhead cost and purchased part cost included. It ran online, and within 15-20 minutes it was printed out.

THIS WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND ACHIEVED WITHIN WICHITA. Considering that Boeing (had 1500 employees in Data Processing alone), Raytheon, and Cessna have main plants here too, besides Learjet, and that they had failed to do this, I was pretty proud of my finished product.

I seem to have a thing for numbers, and an almost photographic memory.
My friends call me for phone numbers that they have told me once, because it is faster than looking it up in the phone book..... lol

 

[iacas]

Consider that I might have to buy proprietary language software, and maybe more than one, to do the system, and the indepth time it would take to develop all options of the program, especially if 3D options were offered.

This is not an easy task, and I would expect to make a profit from it over time, and on an ongoing basis. I am good at what I do, and feel sure that
I could do it, BUT I do know it is a LOT OF HARD WORK.

No offense, but none of that matters - nor should it - to customers or potential customers. They have a very simple inequality to look at:

value of (price of software) <=> value of owning software

That's it. It might cost you $20,000 in time and goods to make the software, but that doesn't mean you get to charge everyone $200. You get to charge what the market will bear. Nothing more, nothing less.

I'll take off my "owned a desktop software company for five years" hat now.

 

[Michael Webb]

I realize the 'different modes' potential customers might be in. Cuemakers,
basic user friendly with basic templates for a fast easy rendition for a cue, but with the ability to later modify it with other more sophisticated parts or inlays. Where your normal Pool player might want to spend hours in designing his own cue he wants. I would also produce pictures of a desgned cue with a qualified Bill of Material, or Parts list, to assist the cuemaker or Pool player. Port to well known programs will depend partially on their ability to receive files, and in what format. This is just an idea now, and I would probably relate my development phases to AZB for partial feedback as I went along. I would actually have sit down and develop the systems parts with details, before I could talk of the more intricate parts of it.

I also have shot Pool for 44 years, first as a money player, later on in
leagues and tournaments, with some measure of success, not at the pro
level, but more at the semi-pro level. I also have a friend who is a cuemaker here in Wichita, Bob Owen for Shurtz custom cues, who I am
sure would be willing to test the program and give me his feedback from
a cuemakers perspective.

I have had much experience in different areas within a manufacturing environment (3 Aircraft companies - Boeing, Learjet and Raytheon) and
I am familiar with manufacturing processes. And I have worked with 3D
programs on Pc's and mainframes (Catia) and coverting 2D to 3D.

I am not concerned with what mode they are in, I have no trouble emailing pictures thru Adobe or the window and fax veiwer.

 

[MacGyver]

I've already looked into this and quickly found out it probably can't make much of a profit...

If you want 3D that is easy to use and free(open source), check out Blender at Blender.org.

Writing the interface to automatically load 2d pictures and map them to the cue is dead simple and then you can pick between views and have 3d images rendered out pretty fast.

But still its never going to be worth it imho... too few cuemakers, even less that will part with money for this....

 

[Solartje]

i was wondering, if the profit margin wouldnt be higher, if u just use a 3d program like maya, 3dstudio, autocad, etc to create high definition renders of the cue's people would want.

example: person X mails u all the specs of his cue. once u got some standard 3d models of different cue options, pro taper, 59' 60', different joints, etc, it would take maybe 2 hours of work MAX to do the job. if u would charge 20$ tru paypall for 1 full cue (2d plans with full measurements of the cue + as much 3d vieuws as the client wants), i think ull have much more interested people. (note: might be better to make the price dependent on the complexity. like: base cue: 3$, wrap 1$, rings 1$ each, detailed joints 2$, points 1$ /piece, veneers 2$, etc...). People could also use these VERY high definition renders to use later if they are going to sell the cue. its always hard to make nice pictures of a cue, and a good picture really helps in getting more bids. I think this will have more succes then selling the program. (u know copies are made easily these days.... only a matter of hours before it will be posted on downloading software) on the other hand, if only u posses this program, ull have much more interest, as the $ the'll have to pay is less.

20$ for 2 hour work is nice i think. but im sure u could do the job alot faster. once u got almost all the different joints, colars, rings, points, wraps, cue's, shaft's, tapers in 3d u should be able to just add materials in 3dstudio quickly.

i was going to start making all the different options in autocad (VERY VERY precise models) and then convert them to 3dstudio to add all the materials for myself. But, with my website, it could be interesting to set this small thing up. do u have experience in autocad or 3studio scott? i could do some promo about it on my poolsite, and we could devide the designing work.

just my 2c too dont forget im silly solly

about blender: im not a pro in blender, but the quality difference should be big enough for people to pay for our renders. ive done some renders, where i can show u the original picture and the rendered and u wouldnt be able to see the difference. Also, not everyone knows how to work with blender or other cheap free programs or are to lasy to do so, and the options are very limited. I could slices, detailed (till 0.0001mm) plans, and VERY realistic pictures.

 

[Snapshot9]

I understand

No offense, but none of that matters - nor should it - to customers or potential customers. They have a very simple inequality to look at:

value of (price of software) <=> value of owning software

That's it. It might cost you $20,000 in time and goods to make the software, but that doesn't mean you get to charge everyone $200. You get to charge what the market will bear. Nothing more, nothing less.

I'll take off my "owned a desktop software company for five years" hat now.

Eric ... I know what you are saying and understand completely. Most people are limited in funds, and can not afford to spend a great deal when they have to budget for a cue most of the time. Solly's idea brought in a different flavor, and is interesting, but I am afraid you might run throgh
20 different versions with some customers, and end up making .25 an hour.
Nothing is even close to being in cement at all, I am just swirling around in my own little 'think tank' at the moment, but I think the need is there.

 

[Cardinal2B]

value of (price of software) <=> value of owning software
That's it. It might cost you $20,000 in time and goods to make the software, but that doesn't mean you get to charge everyone $200. You get to charge what the market will bear. Nothing more, nothing less.
I'll take off my "owned a desktop software company for five years" hat now.

I'm pretty much of the same opinion, coming from an ownership in commercial database software perspective. If you do this, I think you're going into a labor of love as the market (cuemakers worldwide willing to use a computer for design work) just isn't that big.

A simple, 2D version for custom cue buyers to use on a cuemaker's website (to convey their desired design to the cuemaker) might be worthwhile. You still are selling to the same marketplace, but now its more a marketing tool than a real design tool (meaning spitting out specs, measurements, bill of materials, etc.)? Sounds like you have experience / desire more for the latter though - ?

Keep us posted; interesting app, just too small to be worth it IMO...

 

[Solartje]

mmm scott u really made me think now.

do u have any idea how much time it would take to build a program like this?

im thinking of making professional; 3d, plans, slices etc etc renders for poolplayers. If they really want 20 versions, well then its only fair they pay more for the extra work. If its just a wood change , or the speks colors on a wrap, this takes u 1minut of work. u could charge it 1$ / change or so.

anyway, its a nice way of earning some extra money if u have plenty of time. Ofcourse i dont think it will count as a main job, but some extra gambling money is always welcome.

i might try this week to design 1 cue and see how the render quality is.
i think the only problem will be finding the right maps to do it. high enough quality to make it really look real.

 

[robertno1pool]

Cue Design Program

I do not think I would buy it. I am using AutoDesk Inventor currently - although not seriously for cue design (other than my visualization of a personal design I am working on). Good luck.

 

[metal5d]

I think you might be able to create something cost effective for 2D renderings. For 3D there are already a number of programs that people can use (Solidworks, AutoCAD, ProE, Catia, etc). I don't think you could develop a stand-alone 3D design product that would allow you to do much and sell it for less than $1000. The great thing about programs like these is you can create CAM profiles to cut out inlays and make parts that have real dimensions. I personally use Solidworks and it worls great but it's not cheap.......

 

[jjollie]

I would buy it !!!

I would buy it for the simple fact that I love buying cues and having them made. This would help me design some for myself.

If this those happen....please email me or pm me.

 

[Snorks]

You might want to start by looking at the following. This is the best one I have seen, it's free and on the internet.

http://209.200.106.168/AZCues/Flash/ccc2.php