This software is available to wood-turners free of charge! The purpose is to help visualize a bowl or hollow form in 3D prior to turning.

You draw an outline by moving several points (in the black window). A smooth line is curve-fit to the points. A 3-dimensional bowl shape is created from the outline, and can be rotated with the mouse to view it from all angles. The outline can be printed on a grid pattern and used as a template to turn the shape.

Computer Requirements:

The software was written in Java, so it will run on most computers. It was developed on a Mac and was tested on Intel based computers (OS X 10.6). I’ve also tested it on Windows 7 (64 bit). For documentation, see the "Help" menu within the program.

Make sure you have the latest version of Java 6 installed on your computer. Mac users use Apple -> Software Updates. Windows & Linux users click on the link on the left.

NOTE: This is untested on the new Mac "Lion" OSX. Apple no longer supports Java, and it's not standard on "Lion" (although it is reported that it can be downloaded after "Lion" is installed). I won't be upgrading to "Lion" any time soon because some of the other software I use won't run on it. In the future, Oracle is taking the responsibility for Java on Mac computers. However, it may be several months before that becomes available.

Mac Installation:

• Download the Mac Disk Image and mount it.
• Install the updated 3D drivers: java3d_1_5_3-exp-macosx.pkg
• Drag the BowlShape2 application to your Application folder (or anywhere else you like).

Windows Installation:

• Download the Windows Zip File and unpack it.
• Install the 3D drivers:
  • for 32-bit Windows: j3d-1_5_2-windows-i586.exe
  • for 64-bit Windows with 64-bit Java: j3d-1_5_2-windows-amd64.exe (if in doubt, install both)
• Then install BowlShape2 by clicking on bowlshape2-windows.exe

Linux Installation:

• Download the Linux Zip File and unpack it.
• Install the 3D drivers from the Ubuntu Software Center (other Linux users see the README).
• Then install BowlShape2 by running bowlshape2-linux.sh

And finally:

Please let me know if you like it (or don't like it), let me know of any problems you experience, and any enhancements that you may find helpful. If you email me, I'll notify you when new versions become available.

This program is free to all, but if you would like to make a contribution to support further improvements, click on the "Donate" button on the left (payment via PayPal). Thank You!

Email me at: bill@billooms.com

This software is part of the Computerized Ornamental Lathe (COrnLathe™) project.

This software is Copyright © 2011 by the Studio of Bill Ooms. This software may not be sold, copied, given, or distributed in any way without the express permission of the owner.