Many workrooms to the trade ask how can Studio benefit us? We don't
deal directly with the clients, the designer is the one who creates the
designs, we just interpret them and fabricate them. That is exactly
when and why the workroom needs Studio. This software program isn't
just for producing lovely renderings for the client, it's a true
workhorse graphics program that can be used to layout a design, check
proportion, drop lengths and more. It's also an effective communication
tool.
Working from a digital photo, the workroom can check real world
dimensions by setting the drawing scale and using the dimension tool to
confirm that the designer's sketch of three swags with 18" drop, mounted
6" above the casing will cover the woodwork or fit the window width.
Many times the workroom receives a quick pencil drawing that is totally
inaccurate. By using Studio, the workroom can produce a
precise, to-scale drawing in minutes and email the designer with
questions or concerns.
And then there's that tricky fabric with the drop match or the top
treatment that requires eight horns and seven scallops all with the
motifs perfectly centered. Specify yardage and plan your cuts, all with
Studio. Instead of rolling out yards and yards of fabric, moving rulers
and pins around, simply sit down at the computer and draw a layout
complete with fabric repeat and pattern pieces. Move them around with
the touch of the mouse to achieve the best result. Use the built-in
calculator to check your math. Hours of frustration saved!
Finally, everyone knows that we frequently run into the unexpected. The
fabric isn't cooperating, the trim needs moving up or down, the
bouquet would be displayed better if the valance were 18" long instead
of 16" and so on. The workroom can take a digital photo of the
treatment in progress, import it into Studio and type in comments,
dimensions, add arrows to point out problems, and then email or fax the
photo to the designer for input.
These are just a few of the ways Studio can improve workroom/designer
communications, assist in calculations, and give workrooms another tool
which saves times and prevents those dreaded remakes.
Below are several links to threads on "The Lounge" illustrating some
of the methods above:
Here's what DC DESIGNS, a to-the-trade workroom, had to
say about how Studio helps her with designers:
" I have used Studio in many situations with designers. Here is a
great example of how I use Studio with my designers: I was doing a pick
up style valance, the fabric had shells with a very pretty border along
the side edge. The designer had planned to use the fabric the regular way but I
knew I could manipulate the pattern so it would work railroaded, having
the shells as the border. So I sent two pictures of the fabric and on
each I drew out how the pattern would lay and where the placement of the
shells would fall. Sent this to the designer and within a minute she said go ahead,
railroad
it. Normally, I would have had to wait for her to come by and look
at it and production would have been held up for a few days. "
