Using copilot to help with pattern making

[GregBennett]

I found an image to use in making a pattern. I sent it to Microsoft Copilot and asked that it make a black and white pattern. The pattern wouldn't have worked at all because major features would simply fall out. I went through it area by area and found where those areas that needed to be changed and then changed them in Procreate, although I could have just as easily made the changes in Inkscape or Gimp. I don't have great drawing skills, so I'm still learning to draw, but I want to be able to make my own patterns. I've attached the finished scroll saw piece. 

[OCtoolguy]

Well done!

[Scrappile]

That turned out great!

[red river]

Outstanding...

[rjweb]

Excellent job, RJ

[Dak0ta52]

Excellent! Just a helpful tip. You can load the picture into Inkscape (and other programs) and use the "Fill" to show where you have drop-outs and need to add bridges. I usually "fill" with a bright color such as red so it will contrast with the black and white I use as a pattern.

For me, after I have the pattern where it is complete, I'll go back and turn the black into light gray and make the lines I will have to follow with the blade (the stroke) into red. That way the dark blade doesn't get lost when cutting. The blade stands out better and the red lines are easy to follow. You can make the lines as large or as thin as you want. My go to thickness for the line is .006.

[Wichman]

Have you tried to use AI to generate a whiligig pattern?

[GregBennett]

Wichman-When I got my first scroll saw I used it solely for making whirligigs. After a while I started making my own patterns from photos of birds and other animals. They were simple outlines of the body. The front roof of my shop had 6-7 bird whirligigs and I had four on stakes in the ground. I did a lot of experimenting with wing shapes and methods to cut the hub. At first I used 1/4' poplar, and then went to plexiglass. I used pine for the hubs and invariably they'd deteriorate one way or the other. I started using a 1/4" brass tubing around the screws, but the wood eventually gave way. In answer to your question, I haven't not tried AI for whirligig patterns, but it's an interesting idea.

[GregBennett]

Wichman-When I got my first scroll saw I used it solely for making whirligigs. After a while I started making my own patterns from photos of birds and other animals. They were simple outlines of the body. The front roof of my shop had 6-7 bird whirligigs and I had four on stakes in the ground. I did a lot of experimenting with wing shapes and methods to cut the hub. At first I used 1/4' poplar, and then went to plexiglass. I used pine for the hubs and invariably they'd deteriorate one way or the other. I started using a 1/4" brass tubing around the screws, but the wood eventually gave way. In answer to your question, I haven't not tried AI for whirligig patterns, but it's an interesting idea.

[GregBennett]

Dacota52  When I made the pattern I opened it in Gimp and then adjusted the brightness to the max twice which rendered the black into a very light grey. Like you, I had a hard time seeing the blade when using a black and white pattern. I've messed around a little with trying to outline things, but haven't had much luck. I just opened my old man pattern in Gimp and went to edit, stroke/stroke selection but it was greyed out. Overall, I don't have much trouble with seeing the blade when the pattern is in grey and white.

[Charlie E]

Excellent! I like the pattern style very much!

[Dak0ta52]

5 hours ago, GregBennett said:

Dacota52  When I made the pattern I opened it in Gimp and then adjusted the brightness to the max twice which rendered the black into a very light grey. Like you, I had a hard time seeing the blade when using a black and white pattern. I've messed around a little with trying to outline things, but haven't had much luck. I just opened my old man pattern in Gimp and went to edit, stroke/stroke selection but it was greyed out. Overall, I don't have much trouble with seeing the blade when the pattern is in grey and white.

I've only dabbled in Gimp so my limited knowledge is in Inkscape. You can always go online and change the SVG file to JPG. Also, another hint, you can add a lot of contrast to a picture to help render it into a more usable "potential" pattern. I've found that the brightness can sometimes wash out a lot of your details.