I get choppy visual designs, why?

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JBergelin

JBergelin

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Dec 14, 2004
Posts
374
Loc
Big Rapids, Michigan
This week we installed FrameVue and I started playing with it....(Frank finally saw it in action at the Gemini show and started pushing for it, the holdout was won over, surprise surprise) ;)

but at this point is seems a bit overwhelming...there must be a better way to get all the samples loaded.

I have tried and tried to get a good moulding sample loaded. I straighten the image and drag my mouse over the likeness. It looks good in the little display area - smooth from one end to the other end - but when it loads on a design the smooth face becomes choppy - like a frame that has veneer lines.... we did not notice this at the show - but then they did not use a flat profile.

In the threads I have read no one has mentioned this being a factor, is this to be expected or am I doing something incorrectly?

Also - when loading the mats - is there a 'quick and dirty" secret for getting all the mats loaded - do you wait for each customer or lay all the corners out and snap them?

Thanks
 
Hi Jeanne

The way nearly all visualization systems work is to grab a small sample of the pattern, and then repeat it many times; to go around the art. To some extent, you may see slightly where the patterns meet/repeat. It's only an approximation of the final framed piece, but is usually fairly close. If there are lighting variations from one side of the defined area to the other, or if the defined area isn't level, this effect can be exagerrated.

Some folks get better results defining their image from the top left corner, while others prefer to do a small square on the top rail only. I suggest experimenting to see which works best for you.

I find it quicker to line the items up before shooting the picture, but there's a straightening feature for those times when it isn't perfect. After a bit of trial and error, you'll become a pro; and it'll be like second nature to get good results every time.

Can you send me a copy of a photo that you are having problems working from, so I can try? I'd like to see if it might be related to a glare or lighting issue.

>Also - when loading the mats - is there a 'quick and dirty" secret for getting
>all the mats loaded - do you wait for each customer or lay all the corners out and snap them?

Do you have a need to pre-load the images? It certainly is possible, and I know at least one vendor is offering them to FrameVue users on a CD. A mobile framer is one example where I can see this feature (pre-loading) being valuable. It would also be great for an on-site visit (with a laptop) for a corporate framing job; so you didnt have to bring any samples along.

I could be wrong, but I bet most framers still like to lay out the mat and moulding samples next to the customers artwork, and let them see and feel the textures. After it's all laid out, a single snapshot of the design area gives everything required.

I think there are advantages to both methods, but wouldn't panic if you dont have the items pre-loaded. Pre-loading is optional. It "learns" the item numbers as you do so, or you can choose to put them in ahead of time; and even avoid placing them on the design counter.

I hope this info is helpful and that you'll email me a sample of a problem photo. You may also want to contact technical support, for additional suggestions.

We have been using the technology since March of 2005, as an early beta tester. (first with a different product, now with FV) We don't use it for EVERY sale, but it sure does close sales when we do. Customers love it :)

Best regards,
Mike
Get The Picture
 
You'd have to check with LifeSaver, because my feeble memory isn't working today. :) It may have been Southern Moulding, but I could be wrong.

Mike
 
I am also testing Framevue right now. I know Southern has something that is available, but LJ also has all their images in JPG Format. If you request it, they will send you a CD with these imiges, then all you have to do is retrieve it from the file, then window across and save the sample. At least it takes the photography element out of it...., but the great part of this is that it works with all the vendor's software...
 
That all sounds great.

But the real problem is color accuracy, aka mats.

I could live with a frame not looking 100% like the one on the table, but a white mat looking blue or gray....:fire:
 
Mat color and choppy mouldings

Hi Jeanne

If you have any daylight in your facility light and colors are constantly changing, it sounds like you have a never ending task and I'm not sure why you would want to do it that way.

Programs such as Custom Framer V4.0 (www.artframer.com) have tools to do color adjustment for each element in a project. Even each mat. You can save the adjustment to the database or apply it temporarily depending on your lighting at the time.

Their image capture tool would probably resolve your choppy moulding problem as well.

Custom Framer V4.0 also has libraries of mouldings available for Larson Juhl, Omega, Decor, Universal. In addition many of the mats from Crescent and Bainbridge are available. Try their demo to see how these tools work.
 
Just a reminder for all:

Commercial posts are only permitted in the appropriate forum. I have let quite a few slide, but it's time to get serious.

Corporate sponsorships are also available, if interested.

Thanks in advance
Mike
Moderator
 
For Mike L

Mike:

A FrameVue question / suggestion: I have started storing many mats & frames in FV.

Question: When designing something in FV and one looks under the Mats / Mouldings tabs, only about 10 (12?) are visible.

Is there a way to browse through the stored items and select one that is not listed there (but obviously stored)?

Right now the only way (that I know of) to retrieve either one is to type it in manually in either field.

TIA
 
Hi Paul,

We always take the photo including mats, because it's all laid out on the design counter with their art. As a result, we don't personally use that feature. I see the advantages, but just am set in my ways :)

My guess is that it might be difficult choosing mats JUST from the photo. So many mats are close in color, but entering the mat # will always bring up the correct image.

I suggest giving tech support a ring for a sure answer, because there may very well be a way to do so. Someone who uses it this way may also jump in with a better answer.

Mike
 
Thanks Mike.

Actually, it is quite handy when one stores certain frequently used mat samples (say B8519, B8535, B8517 etc). This way one doesn't have to snap a shot of the mats each time, just enter the number in the mat field and it's there. (same applies for stored mouldings that I use a lot)

Also, when one is looking at a list of stored mats / frames, hovering the mouse over each will tell you number / name of the moulding.

Works great (and much faster design)!
 
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