Weaving Software Review: WeaveDreamer

In returning to weaving, I knew it wouldn't be long before I would return to weaving software too. You can see all of my old software posts here, but since it's been awhile, I wanted to see if anything new was available. I started my search for weaving software with two three criteria:

• can run on Linux
• supports liftplans
• freeware or has a free version

I chose to start with WeaveDreamer because it meets all of my criteria.

WeaveDreamer can run on Linux, Windows, or Mac, but requires Java Runtime version 8 or higher. After downloading and extracting the files, opening the program is just a matter of right clicking and selecting to open it in Java runtime. I have Ubuntu, however, with which .jar files aren't automatically executable. I had to right click the WeaveDreamer file, choose 'properties,' then 'permissions,' and tic the box 'allow executing file as a program.' No problem after that.

How about some screenshots?

Welcome screen upon first starting the program

Closing out that screen leaves a blank window. So, following the directions and clicking file > New, brings up the weaving draft properties window . . .

Playing around with the properties . . . 

And hit 'okay.'

Ready for my design

Individual cells can be clicked, or the mouse dragged to fill in a row or column. Selecting 'liftplan' in the properties box enables selecting more than one cell in the treadling columns.

This is the first square on my twill gamp dishtowel;
point twill threading and twill & reverse treadling.

Any area can be copied by hitting shift plus left-click mouse drag. There are two choices to paste: paste or paste special.

Options for 'paste special.' I haven't experimented with these yet.

WeaveDreamer can import and open WIF (weaving interchange format) files.

This one is from Handweaving Magazine's online library of free WIFs.

I can edit individual cells in the WIF file, changing color, threading, tie-up, or treadling.

What I can't do, is change it to a liftplan because the edit properties box is blank when I open it.

So, that's disappointing.

The liftplan option is chosen in the draft properties box. And liftplan must be selected to choose more than one cell in a treadling row. In the tie-up mode, only one cell per row can be selected in the treadling.

Another thing it can't do, is save or export any draft as a WIF file. They can only be saved in WeaveDreamer's native format. 

Lastly, DreamWeaver can't print a draft. That would be useful for my weaving notebook. If I really want to print it, however, I can take a screenshot, open that in Gimp (free photo editing software), and then export it as a PDF. So there's my workaround for printing.

So, it's limited, but is it still useful? My best use, at the moment, will likely be to create a draft and then take a screenshot to share with you. Being a basic program, there's no steep learning curve, so that's another plus for anyone new to weaving software. 

Conclusion? I'll use it for the moment, but continue to explore options.

WeaveDreamer can be downloaded here.

Instructions to install are here (about mid-page).

User Guide is here. 

Weaving Software Review: WeaveDreamer

© Sept 2023 by Leigh at Leigh's Fiber Journal

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