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Latest Info for Project Wizard Developers

We've created a site for CNC content with ShopBot ProjectWizard (www.shopbotprojectwizard.com). Admittedly, it is in its infancy stage with very little content and much still to thrash out in terms of how it works. It is a place for providing/accessing two kinds of cutting files: 'Plans', which are straightforward, hard-coded files (like Bill Young's sawhorses or canoe) that are ready to cut, and 'Projects' which are parametric designs that users interact with in order to size and customize before generating cutting file code specific to their needs.
With 'Plans' the part files can be scaled at the tool using standard ShopBot features, but they are not really amenable to much customization because of the dependence on size and cutter diameter for the expected fits. Part files for 'Projects', on the other hand are fully customizable during the design process. We will use the ProjectWiz system to make all sorts of files available, but 'Projects' are what we believe will become the core of the system. Projects are key because individuals, whether ShopBotters or others who will have someone else cut the parts for them, want items made to their own needs and specifications. Whether it is a shelving unit, an end table, or a cabinet. Having an interactive but easy-to-utilize parametric designer readily available on the web allows people to get the cutting files for a project exactly the way they want them. 'Project' files also automatically provide the developer/creator a degree of protection for their work (see why below). Our plan is that the ProjectWiz system will help maintain the distinctive reputation of each designer and enhance the value of their work, and provide a system for commentary and interaction between purchasers of a design and the developer.

Security for developers is a big issue for any such system. Ultimately, ShopBots are very large dongles and we can certainly put a security system in place that, with interaction between the web and the ShopBot Control box can enforce an encryption system that will prevent easy abuse. But such a system would be cumbersome and beyond that, parts and shapes can always be copied with CNC digitization by the determined abuser.

For these reasons regarding security, we plan to start with education rather than encryption, making clear to purchasers what their license is and is not regarding the intellectual property represented by the design, and always keeping the idea of fair use in the forefront. Then, we will encourage developers to keep their prices low. When the price is appropriate, most people feel good about those who made the creative effort and are willing to pay, and they are willing to play by the rules of a system that makes such work available to them. Similar approaches work with shareware, and with honor-system vegetable stands by the roadside. Sure, a few will cheat ... but they will not prevent the thing from working in a satisfactory way for the rest of us.

Parametric 'Projects' stand out as particularly appropriate for developer security in this business model. Because part files from 'Projects' will be highly customized and specific to a particular use, it makes the most cost effective sense to return to the system to purchase new variations, rather than try and figure out a way to modify the file and cheat. To understand this, take a look at Bill Young's "Boxmaker" system in the current ProjectWiz. Make a sample box (it's free) and download the files. Then, see if you can figure out how to chage the files to change the size of the box. It simply can't be done without dozens of hours of work, because of the complexity of the relationship between scaling and the fit and assembly of the project. If you, or perhpas your customer, needed a different size, it would be far less expensive to just log on and buy another size variation, assuming the project is priced reasonably.

- The Project Wizard system exists today (www.shopbotprojectwizard.com).
- It will be a site with FREE 'PLAN' cutting files; and with 'PLAN' cutting files that will have modest charges
- It will be a site for FREE 'PROJECT' cutting files; and 'PROJECTS' for which you will pay
- There will be licenses for personal use, and reasonable schedules of fees for commercial use for PLANS and PROJECTS (including subscriptions)
- We encourage you to contribute PLANS to Project Wizard that you wish to provide free to other ShopBotters, or wish to charge for (we will help with developing the supporting instructions and documents)
- Even more, we encourage you to develop PROJECTS for Project Wizard and we will help you get the Project into the right form for interactive display in the system
- The system supports user comments on projects to help with production of the project as people get experience with it
- As we get more projects, we will explore making links with hardware vendors appropriate to the project (and perhaps with the group purchase strategy discussed above)
- If necessary, we will develop a data encryption system for use of the part files
- ShopBot is willing to purchase some of the content to help get the ball rolling (and help remove the concern about not being fairly compensated); we are currently working on buying more 3D carvings, and if you have other ideas for useful stuff, let us know.
- We will not post PLANS or PROJECTS unless they are definitive property (in design and tool pathing) of the party submitting them. Thus, this is not going to be the site to get a "Harley" logo cutting file.