Looking at the calendar recently I realized that it is almost a full year since I wrote my last article for CAD Digest. Having lost neither creative momentum nor interest in TurboCAD I decided that it was high time for me to share some of the delights and adventures that have helped to shape and enhance my continuing creative life.

At the time of writing TurboCAD - A Gateway to Opportunity version 10 of TurboCAD had just been released. I had been using the trial version for about two weeks and was awaiting the Deluxe and Pro version packages that United Kingdom's Avanquest (the European re-publisher of TurboCAD) was sending me. These packages were a form of thank you for supplying TurboCAD drawn images that were used on the new TurboCAD Deluxe software box. The software arrived shortly after that article was released and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing my work, my name and my website address on the software box and CD label. This experience made me feel lucky, honored, proud and excited all at the same time. I highly recommend an experience such as this.

Within a short time IMSI offered their V10.1 patch. It addressed some minor issues that helped to further enhance the program's capabilities. During this time I quite happily continued to create many more TurboCAD drawings of varying persuasions. I created two more tutorials for the current Pro version and received so much positive feed back via email with regards to my 12 Volt Battery tutorial that I was stunned by the response. A response of this magnitude is a powerful motivator to keep producing and I promised myself that I would do just that.

In their drive to create an ever more complete CAD program IMSI released V10.2 within what seemed a very short time. In their attempt to stay current and comparable to other high-end CAD packages IMSI expanded on the programs snap functions and they began the integration of Constraints, D-Cubed technology that had just recently been made more affordable. These new features, it appeared to me, required a major overhaul of the inner workings of the program and that made for some very tense moments. Version 10.2 was not well received, if the responses on the TurboCAD User Conference Forum were any indication. Due to the changed snap functions and the overall problems the new changes brought to the operation of the software the forum was plagued with negativity and at times it was a very unpleasant place to visit. Throughout the time of change no IMSI representatives appeared on the forum, which only heightened the stress that was readily apparent. I, for one, did not blame IMSI for their absence as I am sure they would have been treated quite badly had they popped in for a visit. I personally only used V10.2 for a couple of weeks before returning to V10.1. Throughout this period I knew that IMSI would sort out the problems that had stemmed from the recent program changes and deliver a better product as soon as possible.

While using V10.1, I decided that I would write a book series leading the beginner through all the tools, both 2D and 3D, that were presently available in TurboCAD. It was a very daunting task and I made a great effort to produce top quality, completely user friendly, training guides. After writing about five hundred pages I was becoming a little less enthusiastic about the task that I had set out for myself. The project was taking up so much of my time that I was not able to continue drawing just for the fun of it, something that had made the use of TurboCAD, so satisfying. With flourishing rumors that V10.5 was due to be released in the near feature I was also having doubts about whether or not I could keep up to the changes that IMSI was making within the program.

IMSI did, in fact, release V10.5 (a paid upgrade) within a short time and it addressed the big issues that plagued V10.2. Although there was some grumbling about having to pay for the fixes that should have been addressed with a free software patch, a change for the better was immediately apparent. The forum reverted to it former glorious self and frequent posters began to upload their TurboCAD renderings to the forum gallery once again and comments turned from nasty to nice. 

In December of 2004 I received two email requests for a wood workers' tutorial, something that would help beginners deal with the construction of kitchen cabinets and the like. I had wanted to proceed with a tutorial of this nature for quite some time and even had it marked on a list of things I wanted to yet accomplish. The two emails were enough to make me decide that the time was ripe for such a tutorial. I emailed the two individuals and let them know that the material was in the works. As I wrote TurboCAD V10.5 Pro - Modular Cabinets - Modular Cabinet Building System I realized how much I loved to write this type of tutorial.

When I finally announced and made available the cabinet tutorial I found it to be well received and again my heart sang its familiar tune of satisfaction. Also with this posting came a whole new topic that quite took me by surprise. Several people inquired as to the reason why I was not selling my tutorials. It was felt that I spent so much time producing these works that I should be reaping some financial rewards from them. I wasn't quite sure what to think of this and felt that maybe this could be given some consideration. This set in motion some more deep thinking and in no time at all I decided that I would take the necessary steps to create a new online store. To my great surprise the Textual Creations Shopping Page came together quite nicely with only a moderate amount of trepidation on my part. At the same time I completed the first module of the book series I had been writing and made TurboCAD: Out of the Box - Series One, Module One available on the shopping page.

For a little while longer I continued to work on the Out of the Box series until one day I decided that I had had enough. The task was just simply too monotonous and I did not want to continue with it. I was starting to resent that fact that I did not have the time to create simply for the pure enjoyment of it. I decided to close my shopping page temporarily since I did not have anything else to sell and did not want anyone else purchasing Out of the Box, while thinking that the rest of the series was yet to come.

I still liked the idea of having the shopping page and so I began to write another fresh tutorial. I knew immediately that I had made the right decision for as soon as I delved into producing the new tutorial that old familiar feeling of excitement and joy returned full force. Within no time at all the shopping page was reopened and TurboCAD V10.5 Pro - Traffic Control - Trailer Mounted Message Board was up for sale. Feeling a full bodied driving force I continued to write and produced one more lengthy tutorial. From ideas that adorned my "to do" list and thoughts that rattled continuously within my head TurboCAD 10.5 Pro - Framed Studio was given life in short order and also found its place on my shopping page.

During the early part of 2005 I was contacted by Peter Machin of Avanquest once again. He said that they were about to begin preparing new V11 software packaging for release in late March or early April and wondered if I would consider supplying images for V11 Deluxe and possibly V11 Designer. He knew for sure that the Deluxe package would be created but it was not certain whether a new Designer version would be released but they wanted to prepare for it just in case. Of course, I jumped at the chance to have that experience once again and I made every effort to supply whatever they desired to ensure that this adventure would blossom. In my zeal to be helpful I spent some time creating some new Deluxe drawings so they would have a more robust selection to choose from. Eventually I received word that my V8 robot and V8 dice would be used on the new Deluxe package as well as the same desk imprint that appeared on the back of the previous version release. Again my name and web site address were added on the back of the box and it was another delightful event to receive copies of both Deluxe and Pro for my part in the venture. Mr. Machin also requested a full length robot image in the highest resolution possible as the robot image was to be used on a two meter high banner. I was pleased with the request and could only imagine what my work on a banner would look like. I have not had the pleasure of seeing the banner but I do hope that it turned out well and suited its intended purpose.

Beginning and continuing to work with TurboCAD V11 has been simply amazing. In my last article I said that IMSI would be hard pressed to outdo version 10 but they have done it, and "in spades", as the saying goes. I can not say enough good about this new release - it is, without a doubt, the best release so far. The IMSI headquarters in Novato, California must be one hopping beehive of activity as they appear to be addressing and developing at break sound speed. They have made a very noticeable attempt to be more visible on the TurboCAD User Conference Forum and many of their current actions show that they have been paying heed to what the users have been saying and asking for all along. As a participant of the conference forum and as someone who hopes to see TurboCAD find a bigger foothold in the world CAD market I think that these are great steps forward.

As this year progressed I found the desire to create yet another tutorial and after a two week period of intense writing TurboCAD 11 Pro - Modern Desk - 2D Concept to Blueprint Presentation was born and appeared on the Textual Creations Shopping Page. Several people have been very supportive and purchased copies of the various tutorials and some visitors have even purchased every item that I have made available on my shopping page. I sincerely appreciate the support of these customers and I hope that I will be able to offer more tutorials as time goes on.

Up to the present moment I have continued to create many new gallery images and have allowed myself to expand upon my willingness to experiment with the program. Of late, I have be experimenting much more intensely with image based and luminance lighting and I have discovered that implementing both of these can greatly enhance a TurboCAD drawing. Up to this point in time I had shied away from these functions as I did not understand them very well. I came to realize that shying away was keeping me stunted in my development. Getting over that hump has allowed me to feel that I have evolved a bit further and I believe that my latest works reflect this. I still don't understand much of it yet but I am, indeed, getting a little more familiar and comfortable with some of the settings. Because of these new developments I feel my new gallery images are much richer, brighter and often more photo realistic. I still feel giddy after I create a new piece, especially when I believe I have surpassed my previous skill level. I love this feeling and I plan to continue along this creative path for as long as I can receive that natural high and for as long as TurboCAD can aid in my creative development. I would like to conclude by thanking IMSI for continuing to supply the wonderful tools that help to satisfy this artist's creative urges.