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by Earl Ingleby
Last year I conducted a short workshop on computer weaving
programs for the teaching committee of my local guild, hardly
a controversial subject or at least so I thought. Within days
I was receiving reports of comments such as "Not real weaving",
"Uncreative", "Lazy", etc. I'm unsure exactly
who were making the comments nor do I know how extensive these
views may be but it did result in my looking at these programs
again in the light of the comments.
What are computer weaving programs?
While there are various types of programs they all basically
preform the same function, They are a means of producing drawdowns
quickly and accurately. The weaver selects the number of shafts
and treadles to be used and inputs the threading using the keyboard
or mouse instead of marking each square by hand. Then the tie
up is inserted, again the same as normal. Then the threading.
At this stage there is nothing different except the means used
from producing traditional drawdowns, in fact most programs use
the same threading, treadling and tieup grids. It is in the next
step, that of mechanically and laboriously marking each square
by hand, that the computer's speed comes into play. With the
press of a button the drawdown is complete. What the computer
does in seconds is exactly the same as the weaver would do in
hours (or days).
The speed of operation means that a variety of threadings
or treadlings (or tieups) can be sampled and the best one used.
Because of the time factor most weavers will sample a variety
of drawdowns and select the most suitable. The result is a weaving
draft that reflects the needs of the weaver; if the weaver is
creative then this drawdown tool will aid that creativity.
Computer weaving background
The very first computer program was written to reduce the
complexity of weaving on a draw loom. Paper cards with punched
holes acted as on/off switches lifting the required threads to
produce a shed. This was the basis of the Jacquard loom. By the
1930s most dobby looms had some type of central control to coordinate
shaft lift, shuttle operation and cloth advance and the traditional
loom was outdated. During the 1960s main frame computers were
introduced into weaving factories to coordinate all aspects of
cloth production from sorting and carding to spinning and weaving
and the weaver became an adjunct of the machine with little skill
required. Hand weaving was kept alive by a few enthusiasts in
Europe and North America mainly producing traditional designs
that had little or no commercial value. Weaving became a hobby
craft.
With the advent of the personal computer in the 70s one of
the commercial loom companies saw a market and launched the first
computer controlled dobby hand loom and a small, cheap "Weave
Simulator" design program. While the loom itself was slow
to take off the program proved very popular and soon there were
a number of new programs on the market.
Hardware requirements
There are programs for every type and size computer. Any computer
from a 286 to the modern super-doopers. Some will only work from
dos, others from Windows and Apple. Some are very hard to use
while others are extremely easy. Most have capacity to print
hard copy, many in full colour.
What to look for in a program
Ease of input
Inputting information can be done with either key or mouse.
Some of the earlier programs used the keyboard but since the
80s most input by mouse. Some of the better ones allow you to
use both. Whatever system is used it will take a little practice
to get to know. Beware of programs that require the use of "hot
keys" to input information (Pattern Land ): they make for
hard work.
Range of view
Can you view both sides of the fabric? Do you have to change
screens to see the changes that you make? How many ends can you
view on one screen? Can you see colour as you input or do you
have to change screens? How many colours can you display?
Filing systems
All programs allow you to save your work, however some don't
allow you to add sufficient information. Ensure that files can
be saved in a format that will allow you to import them to your
word processor program.
Colour
Many programs have a very restricted range of colours that
can be displayed and some limit you to default colours.
Printing
Ensure that you can print information on your printer. Many
early programs will only print out on dot matrix printers (This
is not a problem if you can save programs in a format that allows
you to copy to your word processor).
Demo disks
Try before you buy! Edited versions of programs can be obtained
from distributors for approx. 10% of retail price refundable
if you decide to buy the full program. These will have a tutorial
and information. Some are available for down loading from the
internet.
Creativity always reflects its technology. A refusal to accept
advances and improvements in the means and tools doesn't mean
that a craftperson is more creative, it just means that person
uses the technology of the past. How creative is it to use means
that are sure and safe? Is the weaver who uses a stick shuttle
necessarily more creative than one that uses boat shuttle? Is
it non-creative to tackle the unknown even if the results are
not as polished as the tried and true means? Where would any
art endeavour lead if its practitioners only used the technology
of the past?
For those weavers who have who have yet to experience drawdowns
done on computer then I can only recommend that you ask one of
your friends if you can have a go. You might enjoy it and you
may even create a new design.
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