Trentmopar Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 I know this topic has been beat to death but just making sure there aren't any new Stage Design software programs that I am not aware of. Of course I would prefer free but I just want to know what is the best software available at this time. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKorn Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 3 hours ago, Trentmopar said: I know this topic has been beat to death but just making sure there aren't any new Stage Design software programs that I am not aware of. Of course I would prefer free but I just want to know what is the best software available at this time. Thanks in advance! Best option right now is Sketchup. Sketchup Make is probably the best version to use - they’re no longer updating it, but the latest version is available for free and, unlike the current (and still updated) version of Sketchup Free, it can be used offline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeBurgess Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 Sketchup is great but I am seeing more and more people using the 3d stage builder kits, I think they are probably a good idea for people that are not super computer savvy or who don't have a fast computer, I do stages in sketchup but almost never do them at home because the speed of my home computer is so much slower than my CAD workstation at work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prov1x Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 I use word, have props, targets etc. Cut, paste, resize to my liking and it's simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathanb Posted March 11, 2020 Share Posted March 11, 2020 I use PowerPoint that I’ve got a template for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJB Posted March 12, 2020 Share Posted March 12, 2020 I use Power Point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broadside72 Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 I hate all the software options right now. I spent the money on the 3D kits and am much happier (other than the cat walking across the desk knocking things over) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziebart Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 PowerPoint template Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSteel Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 https://tridentstagedesigner.com Nothing fancy but does work pretty well on an IPad / IPhone for quick stage ideas... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooke Posted March 23, 2020 Share Posted March 23, 2020 I don't have to design any stages but I like working on it especially now due to the cancellation of matches. Just prior to the article appearing in the USPSA magazine I opted to buy the 3D Stage Planner after stumbling across it on the Alpha Dynamics website. I love this thing. Its pretty well equipped as received although I have ordered a few additional items just because I wanted them. You can easily get by with what is included the package. I'm fortunate that I can submit some ideas to my local MD and likely get some used. Hope so anyway. It has relieved some boredom resulting from virus restrictions and incessant rain.Otherwise I would be making enough ammo to last years and that's true even though between me and my shooting friend we shoot about 70,000 rounds per year. I have two 1050's both automated and for better or worse could make one hell of a lot of ammo until I ran out of components. The set has few problems the worst of which is dealing with targets and target stands and sticks falling apart when you handle them. As someone pointed out its best to assemble these targets and glue them together. That's pretty much why I ordered a few additional items to have more sticks and targets and a couple of targets not included in the set.This is absolutely not required. I just did it cause I could. I see from the magazine that NROI is accepting and even encouraging stages for approval be submitted with pictures taken of 3D Stage Planner stages.I can see why. Its very easy to see from the models where risk/reward target opportunities exist in the stage. It actually encourages designers to include more such opportunities to test your guts. If you are bored with shooting restrictions get yourself a 3D Stage Designer kit. The damn things are additive. I agree with the comment above that they are cat magnets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbrconst Posted March 23, 2020 Share Posted March 23, 2020 On 3/16/2020 at 7:52 PM, NoSteel said: https://tridentstagedesigner.com Nothing fancy but does work pretty well on an IPad / IPhone for quick stage ideas... This^^ on a desktop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayWord Posted March 31, 2020 Share Posted March 31, 2020 I personally prefer the templates I have in Excel. I know it is not a spreadsheet, but many years ago Russ Cluver put together a nice set-up with excel and I found it was easier than powerpoint. Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcane98 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 I've used the Sketchup and Trident Stage Designer tools a few times, but find it to be a bit more time consuming than the old fashion PowerPoint. I found a USPSA template online with 90% of our props already created, scale can be a bit challenging, but it never final until we do the walk through to make sure our intent is physically present. We have contemplated the 3D stage builder, but dang that can get expensive quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximis228 Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 Ive created close to 400ish unique stages in sketch up over the last 5 years for local clubs and majors. Its is a very useful tool but does require a bit of patience when you are starting out. Excel doesn't offer enough detail for set up crews IMO. I like how I can take multiple screen shots from different views in sketch up. This allows your intent behind placement of props and targets more clear. This is very important if you are not going to be helping the set up crew. The 3d printed figures are cool but require a lot of $$$ for initial start up. If your local club will foot the bill, I would do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kokeman Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 I use power point. I found a template on the web for free. It works pretty good. Walls are the hardest for me to set up in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George16 Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 29 minutes ago, Kokeman said: I use power point. I found a template on the web for free. It works pretty good. Walls are the hardest for me to set up in it. Can you post the link to this template? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathanb Posted July 28, 2020 Share Posted July 28, 2020 On 3/16/2020 at 1:00 PM, broadside72 said: I hate all the software options right now. I spent the money on the 3D kits and am much happier (other than the cat walking across the desk knocking things over) Funny enough I’ve upgraded as well. My response to the cat was to buy pin magnets and built out a whiteboard with all the stage info needed. I used magnetic tape and a label maker to make start positions and what not. I’ve spent way too much money to do this but it makes my life easier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kokeman Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 21 hours ago, George16 said: Can you post the link to this template? Thanks. Here you go. http://www.lewistonpistol.org/LPC_StageDesign/LPC_StageDesignTemplate.pptx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen7942 Posted August 3, 2020 Share Posted August 3, 2020 A guy in our local club got the 3d stage design kit and talks highly about it. I tried sketch up in the past but didn't have the patience to learn it from scratch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanfoglio1911 Posted September 7, 2020 Share Posted September 7, 2020 Once you have learned the tricks using Sketchup, designing a stage becomes more easier. I can lay out a stage design straight to Sketchup within 20 to 30 minutes. Designing a stage becomes more of a hobby to me. Make sure to always use the correct dimension of the bay that you will work on to get the correct distance and position of the props. Aside from being free, Sketchup is the most accurate, easy and has all the props you needed to create a stage design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic_USPSA_C Posted September 7, 2020 Share Posted September 7, 2020 On 7/29/2020 at 6:10 AM, Kokeman said: Here you go. http://www.lewistonpistol.org/LPC_StageDesign/LPC_StageDesignTemplate.pptx Thanks - I will check this out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdeal929 Posted December 2, 2020 Share Posted December 2, 2020 On 9/6/2020 at 10:58 PM, tanfoglio1911 said: Once you have learned the tricks using Sketchup, designing a stage becomes more easier. I can lay out a stage design straight to Sketchup within 20 to 30 minutes. Designing a stage becomes more of a hobby to me. Make sure to always use the correct dimension of the bay that you will work on to get the correct distance and position of the props. Aside from being free, Sketchup is the most accurate, easy and has all the props you needed to create a stage design. Agreed! Save your templates for each bay so things line up properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEG941 Posted September 14, 2022 Share Posted September 14, 2022 Sketchpad Make is no longer supported and there is a kind of hokey way I've found to download load the Big prop file. However I still cannot get it to work. Does anyone know if Sketchup make works on Windows 11? I'm afraid that might be my problem. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PEG941 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 Sorry, I mean Sketchup Make Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy9 Posted May 31, 2023 Share Posted May 31, 2023 I just started to take on some stage building responsibility at my club. Sketchup looks great!! But i would need significantly more time to learn the program than I have. I tried Trident Stage Designer, and even though it isn't as good looking as Sketchup looks, it was super easy to work with!! one vote here for Trident Stage Designer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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