ArtMetal

I'm seeking to understand here. To my friends that do computer generated images you have my bravo. I strongly feel that the tech needs to be in the hands of the artists. I'm trying to decide if this method Will get me to where I want to go. I realise that when I've finished writing and reading I'm largely going to have more questions that answers. Maybe we're in the same boat. I remember when quite a fuss was made when an entry to a metals show turned out to be a rendering and not a finished piece of metal art. Seems that the actual making of the piece was well beyond the ability of the "artist, designer Metalsmith" to produce it. In fact quite a bit of tech would have to be developed before anyone could build it. I'm also reminded of MC Eshers graphic work that contained perspectives unattainable in my 3d world. Altered realities. Love them. If I'm faced with the problem "I can draw it but I can't make it or I can make it but I can't draw it" You are just going to have to wait until I get done making it. But I'm not sure that's a choice that has to be made. There's a lot of gray between black and white. It may be that the greatest advantage to digital images is the ability to create very accurate tool paths. In that case my interface with the men in the little brown trucks will continue to be important. As I order my components, made to order. That's a new method of manufacturing. That puts an end to selecting components from a catalogue! or does it make the catalogue more personal and thicker? I cast a series of brass bottles in my college days. They were largely a response to people that were convinced other methods were somehow superior. I could never grasp the whole superior thing. I made the form I was after. Thing is that the objects that I made could be produces no other way. One clearly had my fingerprint cast into it, others had textures I could only get in wax. one contained a drip of wax. It was the nuance (happy accident) that made that one special. A brass nuance. I like the idea of being able to follow my carefully laid plan. I just don't want to loose the nuance in the process. I like the randomness pattern of my planishing marks, equally spaced all the same size just wouldn't be the same. All of that said I have to wonder, Is the only way I'm going to find out if this tool fits my hand is to pick it up?