Pro Desktop Inservice

Pro Desktop

Members,

There has been a rumour doing the rounds that a new version of Pro Desktop will be distributed to schools who have had staff complete the requisite training. There may be some of you who have been more than a little frustrated by some irksome features of the current version, namely the lack of a multiple undo button and the inability to make global changes to views in the drawing mode. My version also has a tendency to lock up the computer if left idle for any length of time. However, having said that it is still a versatile and unique product. If there was one feature I was able to add to the wish list though, it would be a means of exporting drawings into MS Word or Publisher without losing line quality and resolution...

Nev O'Brien asked me to put up some of the older models that I had created. They are shown below as thumbnails. Click on the image for a larger version.

Recently I have been doing some experimentation with siting the models onto surfaces and against walls so that the finished album file is rendered with realistic shadows and reflections. I have also added some bitmap files to the bitmap directory in the programme folder so that these new files appear on the list of custom textures that are added prior to rendering. Done correctly, it is possible to recreate a surprising number of materials such as upholstered surfaces and stained glass. (see below).

Click on the thumbnails for a larger image. Use the back button on your browser to return to this page

Shown at left, a simple bedside table which is manufactured from veneered particle board. Note the wall and floor surfaces which are included in the model and which serve to "anchor" the model in space, rather than allow it to float around.

This model was an experiment in the representation of stained glass and mirror surfaces. I'm afraid that the representation of the lead sections between the glass pieces defeated me though.

This was one of the tougher models I have created so far. In particular, the curved plywood back rest is also inclined to the vertical and has to be fitted to appropriate mating surfaces on the back legs! This was a lot more difficult than I imagined it to be and required some unusual techniques in workplane orientation. The upholstered seat surface was also a bit of a challenge to get it to look right. In the end I used the Deform face command to create the curvature of the cushion.

Just a bit of fun really. This is a simple job we make first up in year 11 Note the variable curvature of the handle and the little countersunk head screws holding the handle on!

Thus is the Co2 car that I built for last years race in Bundaberg. It was an interesting exercise in workplane orientation as the body section had to be inclined to the road surface so that all the wheels rested on the ground. In the end I had to create a surface to represent the road and align the axle centres with it, then the road surface was hidden.

This is a model of a directors chair that we had built for years at Noosa District. We also had trouble with it for years as the frames would never quite fold up the right way. When I eventually built it as a model I was able to see why. The hole centres in the frames and links were slightly misaligned. A little tweaking put it right.

A little air operated oscillating engine. A nice exercise in working with metal textures. Thanks to Nev O'Brien for telling me how to centre the spring on the screw!

A little serving tray with a marquetry panel for the base. I used bitmap textures that I downloaded from the web to represent the different species of timbers.

An updated version of the old utility case with beaded panels set in a rebate. This little exercise seemed simple enough until I realised that I had to create models for the cheney catch, the handle and the hinges!

A classic design for a wall cabinet. The crinkled glass was another bitmap that I downloaded from the web.

Here are some files for you to download. These are all original files created by yours truly, Mark Presling of Noosa District State High School

They are presented here in a spirit of co-operation and you may use them as you see fit. All I ask is that you acknowledge the original source. If you would like to share some files, please send me a zipped folder containing all the parts and I will post it here

Cheney Catch

Download a zipped file with all the parts necessary to add a Cheney catch to your wood or metal projects. (As seen in the Utility Case Project above).

Port Handle

Download a zipped file with all the parts necessary to add a standard port handle to your wood or metal projects. (As seen in the Utility Case Project above).

Butterfly Hinge

Download a zipped file with all the parts necessary to add a pressed steel butterfly hinge to your wood or metal projects.

Wall Cabinet

Download a zipped file with all the parts necessary to make the wall cabinet as seen above

Material Textures

Download a selection of material textures to add to your Pro-desktop bitmaps directory. Unzip the files and add them to your program files/ptc/prodesktop2000I2/program/bitmaps directory. You will then be able to add the textures to your album files from the custom textures.

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	Shown at left, a simple bedside table which is manufactured from veneered particle board. Note the wall and floor surfaces which are included in the model and which serve to "anchor" the model in space, rather than allow it to float around.
	This model was an experiment in the representation of stained glass and mirror surfaces. I'm afraid that the representation of the lead sections between the glass pieces defeated me though.
	This was one of the tougher models I have created so far. In particular, the curved plywood back rest is also inclined to the vertical and has to be fitted to appropriate mating surfaces on the back legs! This was a lot more difficult than I imagined it to be and required some unusual techniques in workplane orientation. The upholstered seat surface was also a bit of a challenge to get it to look right. In the end I used the Deform face command to create the curvature of the cushion.
	Just a bit of fun really. This is a simple job we make first up in year 11 Note the variable curvature of the handle and the little countersunk head screws holding the handle on!
	Thus is the Co2 car that I built for last years race in Bundaberg. It was an interesting exercise in workplane orientation as the body section had to be inclined to the road surface so that all the wheels rested on the ground. In the end I had to create a surface to represent the road and align the axle centres with it, then the road surface was hidden.
	This is a model of a directors chair that we had built for years at Noosa District. We also had trouble with it for years as the frames would never quite fold up the right way. When I eventually built it as a model I was able to see why. The hole centres in the frames and links were slightly misaligned. A little tweaking put it right.
	A little air operated oscillating engine. A nice exercise in working with metal textures. Thanks to Nev O'Brien for telling me how to centre the spring on the screw!
	A little serving tray with a marquetry panel for the base. I used bitmap textures that I downloaded from the web to represent the different species of timbers.
	An updated version of the old utility case with beaded panels set in a rebate. This little exercise seemed simple enough until I realised that I had to create models for the cheney catch, the handle and the hinges!
	A classic design for a wall cabinet. The crinkled glass was another bitmap that I downloaded from the web.

	Here are some files for you to download. These are all original files created by yours truly, Mark Presling of Noosa District State High School They are presented here in a spirit of co-operation and you may use them as you see fit. All I ask is that you acknowledge the original source. If you would like to share some files, please send me a zipped folder containing all the parts and I will post it here
Cheney Catch	Download a zipped file with all the parts necessary to add a Cheney catch to your wood or metal projects. (As seen in the Utility Case Project above).
Port Handle	Download a zipped file with all the parts necessary to add a standard port handle to your wood or metal projects. (As seen in the Utility Case Project above).
Butterfly Hinge	Download a zipped file with all the parts necessary to add a pressed steel butterfly hinge to your wood or metal projects.
Wall Cabinet	Download a zipped file with all the parts necessary to make the wall cabinet as seen above
Material Textures	Download a selection of material textures to add to your Pro-desktop bitmaps directory. Unzip the files and add them to your program files/ptc/prodesktop2000I2/program/bitmaps directory. You will then be able to add the textures to your album files from the custom textures.