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Project Wizard

  

 

What is the ShopBot Project Wizard?

At first glance it's just a web-based distribution system for "part files"...cutting instructions...for ShopBot CNC tools, computer controlled cutting machines that let small businesses, shops, and even individuals economically do precision machining and cutting so that "local manufacturing" can now be a practical way of having things made.

Although they really just tell a machine how to move, you can think of these "part files" as digital versions of the paper plans that woodworkers are used to. Some of them are JUST like those oldstyle paper plans and let you make just one thing...they're available now. But soon we'll have customizable Projects that will let you create a custom version of a Project...maybe a set of shelves that's a particular width or a stool that JUST fits under your kitchen countertop... so that it will be just the size or shape that you want it.

So if you're a ShopBot owner, the Project Wizard is the place to get the files you need to make the stuff you want. But if you don't own a ShopBot, don't worry... you won't be left out for long. There are almost 6000 ShopBots scattered all around the world with hundreds added every year, so it's likely that there's one pretty close to you. Before too long you'll be able to find something here that you're interested in making and the Project Wizard will steer you to a ShopBot owner near you that can cut it out for you. You might want them to do the whole job or just cut the pieces for you to take home and assemble...it's entirely up to you. Until then feel free to look around and see what we have in mind.


  [Go to the Project Wizard]


Some of the types of Projects available

 

The ShopBot Sawhorses and Workstation part files are examples of the kind of Project where the files are only customizable in very limited ways. As with any ShopBot part files you can scale these types of Projects somewhat, but to get all the parts to fit correctly you have to scale the material and cutting tool by the same amount, greatly limiting the sizes that are available. These files are ready to cut, and many are free for personal use, having been contributed by other ShopBotters. Information and comments are available for all.

 

The other type of Projects are what the Project Wizard is really all about. They allow you to interact, size, and customize the CNC Project exactly to your needs. A customizable shelf Project might allow you to input the exact size shelves that you needed…to fit between two walls in your garage maybe…and would create EXACTLY the files that you needed. You can buy the files to do just that one design, but if you wanted to make a series of custom shelves you might also subscribe to that 'Project' for a month or more and get unlimited use of it for that time. There is one customizable Project in the Project Wizard beta at the moment... a Boxmaker with an interesting stepped corner joint...but more are in the works.


Paying for Plans and Projects

Some Project Wizard files are free, but most will be purchased for modest fees after selecting or creating them with Project Wizard. The cost and license terms are indicated for each Plan or Project. Purchases are made with a credit card using standard web store procedures.  You'll need to create an account to download any files from the Project Wizard, but you can wait to create your account until you've explored Project Wizard a little and have selected the files that you want. If you happen to get an error message (this project is still in its 'beta' stages), please fill out the error report and submit it...it helps us out a lot
 

Developing for Project Wizard
 

If you have design ideas and would like to develop Plans or Projects (parametric plans) we invite you to participate in Project Wizard. It's a way to market your designs and make some money without having to deal with issues of marketing, distribution, and money transfers online. ShopBot splits the money with the developer and handles all the infrastructure involved in doing business over the internet.


    [More info on Developing for Project Wizard]