Remember Igor Kotelevskii? He is the original developer for BeadCreator Pro 6 as well as the designer for the newer beading software program, bead-n-stitch. I reviewed the latter some time ago.
He has been busy and has come out with an exciting program which is sure to please those who love contemporary geometric beadwork. It is called simply Peyote Creator. It promises to make designing your own patterns a lot easier. No more colored pencils and paper charts!
I received a review copy of Peyote Creator and I sure had fun testing it out! Igor also provides a demo copy (scroll down to the bottom of the Peyote Creator page) for anyone wanting to try it out.
The program was designed for PCs. There is a workaround for Macs which is explained on Igor's website. I used my old PC laptop for this review.
I also highly recommend you go through all the short video clips on that page to understand how the program works. Please note English is not Igor's first language so listen carefully! There is also a PDF manual to help should you need to refer to something afterwards. The manual is not perfect as it is still a work in progress.
The program does both contemporary geometric peyote as well as "classic" types where you can easily create designs using peyote, the various drop peyotes including the ever popular 2 drop, brick stitch and RAW.
You can see the choice in the start menu :
Contemporary Geometric Beadwork
I started with the geometric one. As with his previous program, the popular bead manufacturers and their extensive bead palettes are represented. I clicked on TOHO and then NEXT.
I started with peyote triangle which I suspect will be a popular choice. Some of the terminology in the program can be confusing. Ring number actually refers to the number of beads on each edge of the triangle.
I also entered the number denoting bead number per inch. Size 11/0 beads are about 17 to the inch.
The program will not let you advance until you enter a filename and click on FINISH.
You can click on any bead color in the palette on the right and slowly build your pattern. But what makes this program absolutely wonderful is the symmetry function. You can control what kind of symmetry you want. I opted to do this :
When I clicked on one corner to make the beads there go black, the other corners automatically colored them the same way! Computing magic! There are additional tools at the top of the palette. The line function allows you to draw a line through several beads and they will be colored in. The square and circle function allows you to draw those shapes in and all the beads within that shape will take on the designated color.
The circle function allowed me to draw a red collection of "flowers". I then filled in the centers in black.
Here is a triangle hexagon which I played with. I can see coaster designs in the future!
You can choose other shapes like this example of a 5 panes design :
Or a 7 panes one :
The icing on the cake for the Peyote Creator program is the ability to turn a peyote triangle into a 3D ball. Here is another pattern I came up with. This time I went back to the FILE menu and chose the 3D Ball function.
The resulting image shows you how many of the triangles you need to make them into a ball.
Also important is how the individual triangle will look like when assembled into a larger design. I wondered if a printed version of this will allow a designer to cut out the paper version and test the pattern out. My design as it is may not be ideal for a 3D ball because the radiating blue lines from each triangle just meets. Perhaps different colors at the tips of these lines will make the meeting points pop more.
See the odd lines in the top left of my 3D ball pattern below? That is because I failed to click FINISH on the symmetry pane before moving on. So be sure you complete actions or you will get errors like this.
I also tested out the classic option. It starts the same way as the geometric section where you get to select the bead manufacturer's palette. I think it is easier to first denote the size you want for the design. Then check the bead number. Doing a 2 drop peyote design will require an even number. As before the bead size per inch can be chosen.
Then once open and you see the pop up example shown above, send Igor (his email is in the box) your unique magic number or PCID. He will then send you the serial number for access.
You can use some of the functions on the top of the palette. The line and square options makes selecting groups of beads for certain colors easier. But bear in mind, the circle may not work for certain patterns like the 2 drop peyote I wanted. What I got was vague ovals of colors (mauve and turquoise colors below).
You can also use the symmetry function but you will have to move the center point and work in sections along the length of the bracelet.
Igor recently added another video clip on how to import an image into a 2 drop peyote bracelet. It is the last one at the bottom of his page. You can actually hear him address me by name because he created that video initially for me.
He did that because I struggled with uploading an image. The video clip showed me there is a quirk in how functions are named. Instead of IMPORT OTHER DESIGN, I should have selected IMPORT PICTURE COLORS. The former is for designs created in other programs.
I also tripped up with the next couple of steps. First OPEN the image from my computer. Then IMPORT into the Peyote Creator program. Also important - the image must be sized exactly the same as the design you are working on, for example, a 1 inch x 6 inch bracelet.
Choose an appropriate image. Complex and detailed images like the one I chose (below left) will not translate well (below right).
Additional Functions
Need to know how many beads/tubes of beads and how much these cost for a particular pattern? The program does the calculation for you. Very useful if you are professional designer or you are on a tight budget! Or you just need to know whether you have enough in your stash in a particular color!
I really loved the animation function of the build process. You can start it and watch how your pattern is constructed. You can change the timing (in seconds) if you want to watch it more slowly. I did not try this but you could attempt stopping and restarting if you want to bead along.
Printouts of the pattern include not just the pattern but the bead charts. I love how big the pattern is - no more squinting at tiny charts! As you can see from my peyote bracelet above and in Igor's video, you can change the symbols inside each bead to suit.
The tabulated chart shown above is pretty utilitarian. The presentation will need more work if you intend to sell your pattern.
Shown below is part of the beautiful presentation for a free 3D ball pattern from Ukrainian beadwork designer, Irina Shapoval. She also sells other designs on her site.
I highly recommend the Peyote Creator program for beaders who love peyote and especially the trendy contemporary geometric patterns. US$55 is a very reasonable price considering what it can do to help you create your own designs.
Be prepared to explore the program options on your own. Go through the video clips and check on the manual. I have found Igor to be very responsive if you need to contact him for any reason.
UPDATE:
You cannot purchase the program with the demo program.
You need to download the full program from the top link in this page and pay for it:
Then once open and you see the pop up example shown above, send Igor (his email is in the box) your unique magic number or PCID. He will then send you the serial number for access.
Giveaway
If you'd like to win a copy of the Peyote Creator program, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.
This giveaway is international.
Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)
It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, April 19, 2021. I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
This giveaway is international.
Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)
It ends in a week's time at 6 pm EST Monday, April 19, 2021. I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
Before You Go :
Disclosure
This blog may contain affiliate links. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
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Original Post by THE BEADING GEM
What a great idea! We have really needed a program which will let us design in three dimensions. I'm really excited about this.
ReplyDeleteWow, this software looks great. The ability to do the shapes would be amazing.
ReplyDeleteLooks interesting. Although I am a Mac person, I was recently given a decommissioned Windows laptop when it was retired as my work computer so I have access to both. I am not good about keeping track of specific color numbers or manufacturers but suspect I'd be able to work around that by choosing ones that look similar to what I want.
ReplyDeleteLucky you! I hung on to my old PC because there are many programs which are not available for Mac users.
DeleteThis would be the most wonderful companion for peyote lovers - and I'm a big one of those! No more colouring pencils, paper & erasers! Yay!
ReplyDeleteoh my! ditching the colored-pencils-that-don't-match-any-bead-colors would be heavenly! I'd love to win such a wonderful program for planning my projects. :)
ReplyDeleteNo more pencils ... how nice is that!
ReplyDeleteThank you Pearl for the excellent opportunity to win the Peyote Creator program. I create Contemporary Geometric Beadwork designs. This program would make that task much easier and faster.
ReplyDeleteDebra Schwartz msd.katz@hotmail.com
Tweeted, Pinned and I'm a blog subscriber
This looks like a great program! I would love to try this, instead of paper only!
ReplyDeleteOoohhhh...a new bead design software to try!
ReplyDeleteI'm a long-time blog subscriber & follower.
I hope everyone is staying safe & healthy.
Very interesting. I'll definitely look at this in the future.
ReplyDeletebtw, email is jewellerybyjanine@gmail.com, sorry missed that out of my original comment.
ReplyDeleteUsing software rather than the coloured pencils with graph paper would allow a reader such as myself a far greater capacity for creativity. What a wonderful prize!!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! The level of details is amazing and all professional. Wish he would make something like this for chainmaille too, like some of the more popular weaves, perfect for inlay maille work. Thanks for introducing this to us, Pearl!
ReplyDeleteI have been searching for a new program for beadweaving. This looks very promising. Thank you for the comprehensive review.
ReplyDeleteHello Pearl -
ReplyDeleteI want to commend you on all the hard work which must have gone into writing this review. I enjoyed reading about this software even though I'm not doing this type of beadwork at the moment. What an incredible tool for readers !
Many thanks for your kind words,Lynn. I really appreciate you realizing how much time I devote to all that I do.
DeleteThis Peyote Creator would be a real time saver and solve the, “I made a mistake and can’t erase the colors issue”!
ReplyDeletePearl, thank you again for offering this fabulous giveaway! Your review is very thorough, and the illustrations show how much this program is such a vast improvement over previous beading programs! Thanks for taking the time to show a realistic review, one that's specific to your readers.
ReplyDeleteAs always, another fantastic newsletter! Cheers,
Catherine Barron
thesauciestwench@yahoo.com
I am so pleased I can be of help. The review should provide readers with enough information so they can make an informed decision on whether this program is for them or not.
DeleteThis is amazing! I am so impressed with all this program can do. Thank you for this opportunity.
ReplyDeletePetrina
petrinaclay@gmail.com
Wow, this would be like a dream come true! I would love this program, it would make designing so much fun :) Love your blog Pearl, for so many reasons xox
ReplyDeletekazz103@gmail.com
This program looks very interesting. I really would like a program to allow for full 3D design but having the ability to create a ball is a good start. I also use a Mac and use a program called VirtualBox that allows me to run a version of Windows for those progrthat won’t run on a Mac. I’m a subscriber of your blog through my newsreader.
ReplyDeleteWow, this seems like a really great program! Thank you so much for the thorough and informative review.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this - I need it in my life!
ReplyDeletebeaupepys@gmail.com
Would love to win! Sounds like a great program.
ReplyDeleteWhat interesting things I could do with this program. Would love a chance to win.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to try and make up my own pattern for triangles and bracelets. Have visions of balls and kleidocycles dancing in my head.
ReplyDeletea.p.brad@rogers.com
Hi, I'm Igor Kotelevskii - author of PeyoteCreator program. Everybody can free download demo of the program through it website https://bead-n-stitch.com/peyotecreator/ Just go to the website, then scroll down to the page bottom, there is the download link.
ReplyDeleteFinally! I find it so difficult to record the designs I create using photocopies and markers. This will be very helpful.
ReplyDeleteWOW! Fantastic Tool! My beading beginnings are in peyote and learning many of the more recent 3D shapes would be so much more fun with the ability to design my own patterns.
ReplyDeleteWow! Looks like an easy-to-use program! The photos have me thinking about new projects to create! I will try the free download and give it a try. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI would love to be able to create my designs before. This will allow me to see the color pattern before starting a project.
ReplyDeleteThis would be ideal for creating patterns that are not just rectangular! I would love it!
ReplyDeleteWOW! What an AWESOME giveaway thanks for the chance to win it!
ReplyDeletesally0630@yahoo.com
I'm an email subscriber
ReplyDeletesappy630@yahoo.com
pinterest.com/sally0630
Wrong email on previous post
ReplyDeleteMy email is
sally0630@yahoo.com
pinterest.com/sally0630962018
As a peyote novice, it would be fantastic to create my own "what if...?" designs before actually doing the beadwork (less effort frogging). Thank you for reviewing this software for us, Pearl!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower and blog subscriber: choih25119@gmail.com
I am very pleased that I found this blog. I signed up immediately. This program would be very useful to me. I participate in the drawing. drobnitskaya23gmail.com
ReplyDeleteLynn
ReplyDeletewould love to be chosen!!
blveier@gmail.com
I really like how it keeps your color palette up besides the project and you can know how many beads of each color you need in advance so you don't have to overbuy! Looks like a great program.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited that I found this blog. I would love to have this program and I would like to participate in the giveaway. I am in Ottawa Canada.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have tis program and I would love to be chosen. Thank you
ReplyDeleteOh what magic! And what magic I could make.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have this program, I am starting to design my own beadwork.
ReplyDeleteThanks for allowing me to enter
My name is Cristy and my email is cristycooper@cox.net
I’ve been using Beadtool4 to create tutorials for years and it has served me well, but it is not user friendly for designing Contemporary Geometric Beadwork patterns. This new Peyote Beadwork Creator program seems to be exactly what I’m looking for!
ReplyDeleteContact me at: BarbaraBriggsDesigns.com
Until this review, i didn't know how much i NEEDED a beading creator software as i am not a professional designer. But now I will be able to test colour changes much more easily.
ReplyDeletemy email address is katiechanning at gee male dot com
Wow, this looks amazing!!! I love dimensional beadwork and being able to design like this is fantastic!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy protection software isn't allowing me to visit either program - bead-n-stitch or peyote creator. It's saying that both sites are "known dangerous website". I've looked it up numerous ways and get the same message. Ideas / suggestions????
ReplyDeleteThat happened once to me on my Apple laptop but not on successive occasions. I did not encounter that issue on my PC's antivirus software. Some virus checkers (like Norton) seem to blanket mark any site in Russia as suspicious. One reader did email me and mentioned her Norton flagged it too. Just temporarily disable the checker and download the program and then reinstate the checker.
DeleteKeep trying. Igor sometimes travels and is unreachable. He will catch up with his email when he returns.
ReplyDeleteIt's now December...and I am unable to even send him an email. The document disappears. BUT I don't want to purchase and wait months. Has he caught up yet?
ReplyDeleteI will email him to find out if he is okay.
ReplyDeletePS His email is iko57@mail.ru
ReplyDeleteYes, that's the email I tried. I tested with friend's email and it is ok. I wonder if gmail or Govt has stop on mail to Russia??
ReplyDeletePlease contact me if you are still having trouble.
ReplyDeleteYour email address is pearl@beadinggem..... Isn't there more to it? I get message that says to use valid address.
DeleteMy bad - pearl@beadinggem.com
DeleteI don’t think so as others have gotten thru. Igor also regularly checks his spam box. Can you please email me at pearl@beadinggem? I will get him to email you.
ReplyDeleteIs that your email??? I tried sending but says invalid address.. is it.@yahoo or gmail???????.
ReplyDeleteMy bad. It is pearl@beadinggem.com
DeleteDoes this program allow you to make peyote stars?
ReplyDeleteGood question. I honestly can't remember. I will ask Igor and let you know.
DeleteYes, the latest program update can do 3D peyote stars.
DeleteHow do I get the update? thanks!
DeleteThe software should be the latest version if you haven't bought it before. If you have bought it and didn't receive Igor's notification on the update, please email him!
DeleteThis Peyote Creator program sounds wonderful and so powerful and useful! Does it have a picture conversion function?
ReplyDelete