The Computer-aided Design Exchange Group has, as its purpose, the exchange of ideas... It asks its members to look at the work they are doing on the computer and comment on that work. Would our members be doing the same work if they had no computers? Are there features of the programs they work with that have had an effect on the type of weaving they are doing? The Computer-aided Design Exchange Group members share with their fellow members not only their ideas but also their unique approach to design. The original basis for starting the group was to study the book Shaft Weaving and Graph Design by Masson and Roussel. That remains an important goal of some of the members.

There are two newsletters per year. Dues of $7.50 a year are due in January and begin with the February newsletter. When you join, you are sent copies of any newsletters in the current year's set if there are any remaining. At the time your dues are renewed, a financial adjustment will be made for the number of letters you have received. Dues are used for mailing newsletters and xeroxing the chair's informational letter. There is of course a minimal amount of other copy expense and postage .

Every member is expected to contribute information once each year. This is an important part of our group and we have found that this is necessary for the vitality of the group. A year's membership means one contribution of information is due whether you decide to renew your membership or not. Members are asked to send 30 copies, including one for each member, one for the CW archivist, one for the study group archives, and a few to be sent to new members when they join.

The contribution can take several forms. Many have sent one or more pages of original drafts. Other additional helpful information includes: some information about yourself and your weaving, the name of any weaving books/periodicals which particularly helped in the design, your weaving and computing equipment and programs (these last items are required on all member contributions). One of our original intents was the exchange of ideas, that is, how you approach your designing. We are also interested in how those who have computer-loom interfaces are doing with them. If you have solved some of your problems or have some you are still working on, are thrilled with your equipment or whatever, let us know.

The group has been active for 15 years and many of the original members are still part of the group. While most of the group are fairly advanced weavers, we welcome anyone who is interested in doing original thinking and work.

Please do not feel hesitant to send your information. Several of the members have commented that getting it all together helped them organize their work and develop new ideas. And remember, no matter where you are in your learning and growing curve, everybody has been or will be there and we all learn from each other. We would hope too that sometimes you just write to each other for more information, to add or otherwise comment on work. Communication is a vital key in this world of ours.

Note: You must be a member of Complex Weavers to belong to a study group. Please check your expiry date, or contact Frances Alcorn at alcorn@nwlink.com

Back issues of study group newsletters and swatches may be borrowed by any member in good standing, from the Complex Weavers Lending Library. Contact our Librarian: library@complex-weavers.org

If you have questions about this study group, contact the chair at the address above. For questions about CW study groups in general, contact the CW Study Group Coordinator at CWStudyGroupCoord@complex-weavers.org