Making Custom Dials: Dial Design

[@thebillybonney]

Thank you so much for this video, it's exactly what I needed to see. I draw/illustrate a little character and I've always wanted to put him onto a watch face. This video has helped me to get one step closer to that now.

[@WatchComplications]

Glad you found it helpful. I should probably do some more vids on software usage and design for making watch parts.

[@thebillybonney]

@@WatchComplications Yeah, it'd be great if you could do a detailed video about all the steps needed to design the watch face. Like the size of the date window, day window etc. This was a great video though, thank you.

[@WatchComplications]

@@thebillybonney sounds like a lot of angles ;) but really it depends on the movement and face. Many movements have different distances for the date, for example, some is based on dial size, some on font, etc. But yeah I could certainly discuss it more in a future video. It's been added to my list.

[@thebillybonney]

@@WatchComplications Or maybe just a more detailed video about how to use the software to create the dials. I've now got the software app and it'd be great to learn from you about some of the features. You have a fantastic way of explaining things understandably. Really enjoy your content.

[@WatchComplications]

@@thebillybonney appreciate that.

[@meaninthemirror]

There's a perfect open source vector drawing software: Inkscape. I'm quite surprised that you didn't come across it.

[@WatchComplications]

I’ve used it in the past, but it’s not my thing. graphic is much better for basic 2d drawing in my opinion.

[@YD_.]

@@WatchComplications What about Vectornator

[@WatchComplications]

@@YD_. never heard of it…

[@YD_.]

@@WatchComplications it seems to be a bit more recent in terms of development but I was able to copy what you did in it just fine. It’s specifically made for Mac, iPad, and iPhone and it’s free.

[@Hasan-qg8uh]

Wow! I was searching for something like this! Really can you create a pulsometer watch dial. They are pretty hard to find, I decided maybe after sometime i will make mine.

[@WatchComplications]

A person could create any dial they wish, in the software. Could also produce one based on the design, and there are several methods for doing so.

[@MsLostboysforever]

I love your work flow with this software, is it possible to do the minutes around a square or rectangular Watch face?

[@WatchComplications]

Sure, you just might have to adjust the length of the markers at certain intervals. I'd start with a circle and then square it off.

[@damaso21]

Super interesting!

[@WatchComplications]

Thanks!

[@MrAschroeder1]

Love the content! What software would you suggest for us Windows users? Thanks!

[@WatchComplications]

hello. on windows I am not sure what I would choose since I prefer good operating systems ;) haha. But your options are things like Adobe apps, AutoCAD, lower cost would be GIMP, Inkscape. Even Powerpoint is usable and vector-based. But I really haven’t looked around for Windows options similar to Graphic.

[@madebylundahl]

There's also a great plugin for Adobe Illustrator called Khronos Maker, makes designing & creating watch designs really fast and easy.

[@nennguyen5581]

great what printer do you use to print quality products

[@WatchComplications]

I use a pad printer I purchased from eBay. Uses what's called a sealed ink cup.

[@Hadleydadley]

Hi could u design full watch in 2d from a sketch

[@WatchComplications]

are you talking about just a dial or the case also?

[@4XFX1]

What can you recommend to use for non Mac user. Need app for PC

[@WatchComplications]

Affinity Designer might be a good option. Fairly low cost and does about everything you could want.

[@_crazzzy]

What program you use for making design on pc?

[@WatchComplications]

Graphic or Affinity Design, but I only use macOS

[@BGMofo]

¿Where can I purchased blank watch dials?

[@WatchComplications]

Various places...Ofrei.com, Esslinger, eBay, and many other watch parts and modding websites...for like Seiko mods and whatnot. Or have a manufacturer help make some.

[@mulukenkagne6119]

can i use adobe pd 2019?

[@WatchComplications]

which product does PD refer to? You could use any app that has the ability to create 2d vector-based graphics.

[@techy_thanos]

Software name??

[@WatchComplications]

Graphic on the app store for macOS/iOS. Sometimes I also use Affinity Design

[@thearasem4938]

Hi bro, what’s program?

[@WatchComplications]

Graphic for macOS on the App Store

[@nishang_Raiyani]

Which software you are using ?

[@WatchComplications]

Graphic, it's on the macOS and iOS app stores.

[@internettrihard2955]

Your mom

[@mosfet500]

This is basically how to use specific software, any good CAD program can do this, I'll watch your other videos to see how the actual dial is made but this was not helpful.

[@WatchComplications]

There is a reason this one is called “Dial Design.” It’s a series, and this one for people who haven’t used such software before, or to create a dial design. If you want to know how you could make this dial or similar ones, watch the vids on pad printing or this one on water slide decals: kzbin.info/www/bejne/np6oq6ydeZuWiK8

[@mosfet500]

@@WatchComplications Thanks for your reply. I understand but this had very little to do with design and more to do with using the program. I thought I'd see things like the pros and cons of different chapter ring markings, double depth dials, etc.

[@WatchComplications]

Guess that depends on what you mean by "design." I go by the dictionary..."1 a plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of a building, garment, or other object before it is built or made. 2. an arrangement of lines or shapes created to form a pattern or decoration". I meant design as in creating a dial design starting at square one as the definition says...before it is built or made. If I were to make a video on pros and cons of different chapter ring markings, sandwiched dials, etc...I'd probably call it something else...like "chapter ring designs" or "creating sandwich dials" or "something more specific"...but that's me.

[@mosfet500]

@@WatchComplications I'm not trying to give you a hard time but look at the definitions. You showed us how to use a specific sewing machine to make a garment, the specific tools to make a building or, in this case, the specific program to form the lines and shapes, you could as easily have used the program to construct a tree house. Do you see my point, it wasn't about the design of a dial, it was about how to use a certain hammer to make a building. If we make a shirt the drawing shows us where to put the sleeves, " the function" as per the definition that gives us insight into our shirt. We're concerned we have the sleeves on the right sides, not which pencil is used to make the drawing of the shirt. That's why I said types of chapter rings would be an aspect of design, it's "an arrangement of lines and shapes to form a pattern", we evaluate those lines and shapes to see the "look and function" of the dial. How to use a specific pencil is a non sequitur, it tells us nothing about our design only how to use a pencil.