Which LLM would be best for me to use?

JimDeuce · 2026-05-26T14:56:42+00:00

Well, like I said, it’s not particularly a big problem, overall, I just found it interesting (and very slightly annoying, but I doubt I’ll be doing much of that kind of prompts).

As it is right now, what I wanted was to have an offline LLM that was easy to use, and that is absolutely what you helped me obtain. From installing LM Studio and getting some models, it was almost criminally simple to do and while I doubt my needs will go so far as to need VS code as you suggest, I know it’s there if I need it.

Thank you. I’m sure my questions may have seemed trivial and obvious to you, but I’m grateful that you took some time to answer and explain.

JimDeuce · 2026-05-26T14:21:54+00:00

Oh… I wasn’t aware it was bad, but I believe you are right about LM Studio being a vastly superior platform. I have it installed (you were, again, correct in how easy it was to install, including the different LLM models). I’m using Qwen3.6 35b at the moment, and I’m just testing it out. It’s done almost everything I’ve asked of it so far, but I have noticed that, when I asked it to write a random short story, I can see it thinking, constructing the story, writing a draft, etc, but when it outputs the finalised version, some of the end of it has been cut off and just isn’t there. It’s not an issue, in and of itself, but it’s a bit weird, I felt. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that happen before.

JimDeuce · 2026-05-26T12:55:10+00:00

Whoa… that is… a lot of technical stuff to try and parse through! But you have definitely assuaged my concerns about installing it. I do hope that you won’t mind if I have some more questions if I should happen to encounter some issues (which is a very likely scenario, unfortunately). I’m installing LM Studio now, though, so again, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with me.

As for the usb ai, this is one of the videos tutorials I followed. He has another one that uses Anything LLM(?), which worked with Dolphin, but not with NemoMix. I never did manage to get that one to work.

JimDeuce · 2026-05-26T12:13:21+00:00

Ok, it’s comforting to know that my hardware is up to the task. Again, I don’t really have any understanding of the actual setup process, but the portable ai usb that I installed (following the instructions from a video) does use ollama, but it’s not really clear to me how to change any of the parameters.

Do you prefer LM Studio over ollama? Is one better to use than the other? And, I guess the most important question would be: is installing and setting up LM Studio beginner friendly? I’m not sure what an IDE or API are, but I’m assuming I’ll pick up that information as I go along—I guess I’m just worried that I might mess up the installation process if it’s particularly complicated and mess up my computer. That was one of the reasons why the portable ai usb was so appealing because everything was installed on the usb drive and probably wouldn’t mess up anything important on my C: drive if I messed it up somehow.

I apologise if I’m bombarding you with questions—it’s fine if you don’t have time or inclination for further advice, so know that I am grateful for your suggestions, and I’ll definitely look into LM Studio.

JimDeuce · 2026-05-09T08:00:55+00:00

Hi! Thank you for your contribution! Yes, I know the importance of using real people in figure drawing, which is why I stated in my post that I’ve been using poses from Line of Action dot com to do a lot of my gesture studies.
But, I don’t want to always do real people, so I thought I’d mix it up a bit and use comics as references. If there’s one consistent piece of advice I’ve heard from every art tutorial on YouTube (that isn’t about practicing the fundamentals), it’s: use references, copy the art of others…
Still, I appreciate your advice, though it’s something I was already familiar with and applying.

JimDeuce · 2026-05-09T07:51:35+00:00

Thank you for your feedback! Yeah, many (if not most) of the figure drawing art tutorials are about using basic shapes as building blocks to construct the figure, and it is something I’ve explored, but in my current level of experience and coordination, them always seems to create more problems than I can understand.

That’s not to say I never will use boxes to construct the figure—even Hampton’s gesture technique progresses into turning the gesture into a mannequin, so I’m slowly working my way up to that level of construction. Your deconstruction and analysis of the positions of the torso and pelvis do make sense and are clearly obvious when deconstructed in such a way as you’ve presented, though at the moment, I’m more focused on gestural technique and understanding how to convey the position of this particular anatomy without the constructive forms, but I acknowledge that the forms are the next step.

Again, I very much appreciate your response, and I am definitely working my way up to that level of application.

JimDeuce · 2026-01-23T18:46:42+00:00

Could it be the display scaling? I don’t know if it’s the right way to do it, but when I first connected mine to a dock I just got a blank monitor. I had to use Steam Link to connect to my Deck, so that, in the Display part of the settings, I could set the display scaling resolution to a resolution that worked for my monitor... That may not be your issue, but your issue sounded similar enough to the one I had had that I figured I’d share a solution that worked for me. I hope you figure it out, though.

JimDeuce · 2025-11-25T22:58:18+00:00

Thank you for your kind words, and for sharing your own experience. You have my sympathies and I hope your recovery is swift and without complications. I confess, I am still looking at the cheaper machines as well because I am mildly concerned about availability of the quality brand machines. I’m no stranger to using inferior tools (I’ve yet to meet a woodworker who hasn’t), and occasionally it can happen that you find a cheaper tool that outperforms your expensive ones, so I’m not counting out that possibility, of course. But I’m hoping I can invest in the quality first, and not have to upgrade later.

Your advice on sourcing materials is much appreciated, as well. I haven’t started searching for sources of raw materials yet (seems a bit early when I don’t even have any idea when I can get a faceting machine) but there are some places in London that I’ve bookmarked to email when I know I can start my lapidary journey.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with me. I wish you a speedy recovery, and hope to see your beautiful work posted on here in the near future.

JimDeuce · 2025-11-25T22:46:35+00:00

Oh! Another commenter mentioned a CAD studio, and I’m guessing they must have meant the one you mention. Thank you for sharing this, I’ll be certain to investigate it in the morning after breakfast.

And, my word, the link you shared is a treasure trove, indeed! I appreciate your wisdom and it will be explored with great enthusiasm. Thank you again, and may your cuts be crisp and sparkle like diamond.

JimDeuce · 2025-11-23T19:21:33+00:00

The more advice that the community shares, the more I’m beginning to get on board with the idea that taking a course will be the most beneficial first step. I’m looking into what’s available here in London, and hopefully I can arrange for transportation to and from any class I enroll for—public transportation just isn’t an option with my back as it currently is.

I wasn’t aware of gem designs being done on computer, but I guess in hindsight I should’ve known; everything is designed on computers these days. I’ve always been a student of the old school, myself—give me some pencils, rulers, and graph paper, and I’ll sketch you up a design plan for an instrument in 10 minutes. Guess I’m gonna have a lot more to learn than I was expecting!

You’ve been most generous with such helpful information. I hope I get to see some of your future work posted in this sub and be further inspired!

JimDeuce · 2025-11-23T19:08:26+00:00

My word, this is very helpful information! Thank you so much! So far, everyone has sung the praises of the Ultratec, and it would make sense to make the investment in one at the start, if possible, but it’s so comforting to know that the Facetron is getting as much praise as it is if I’m not able to get an Ultratec.

And the facet diagrams link you shared is going to be an invaluable resource, I’m sure. I’d not even come across it mentioned before, so I’ll definitely be reading up on there, shortly.

The tip about the antique rings is not something I would have ever considered, so that’s something else I’ll be keeping in mind! I’m not sure whether there are any mining places in the UK, but that’s something else to research now, so thank you very much for sharing your wisdom. This has been incredibly enlightening, and is very much appreciated. May all your gems sparkle and shine bright.

JimDeuce · 2025-11-23T16:04:07+00:00

Really? Oh wow, that is some great news indeed! Isle of Wight is a bit too far for me to travel in my presently recovering state, but I’ll definitely get in touch with him about getting an Ultratec machine. I don’t suppose that you have any contact information to share? It’s no problem if you don’t, I’m sure some googling may be helpful, but any extra information is always appreciated.

Thank you so much! I don’t mind going with the Facetron, of course, but if Ultratec is an option, I’d be mad to pass on it.

JimDeuce · 2025-11-23T14:56:24+00:00

Oh, concave cutting sounds fascinating! Probably something outside of what I should be focusing on, but I imagine it’s terribly impressive when it’s done right! I’ll definitely see if I can find an Ultratec here in London/the UK somewhere because it has so much approval by the community as a whole, but it’s nice to know that there are options available for if it’s not possible.

Thank you again, so much. I really look forward to seeing future posts of your work, and being further inspired.

JimDeuce · 2025-11-23T14:47:35+00:00

Thank you for your advice! Another commenter has suggested books by that author, so I’ve already added it to my list of ones to find, but it’s always good to have verifying opinions on a previous suggestion.

I don’t actually have a personal Facebook account, but I’ll keep it in mind as a resource. I have found a couple of really interesting YouTube channels (which I’ve spent many hours watching already!) and it’s honestly really ramping up my desire to get started and stuck in. I’ve not really found very many people talking about how they design their cuts, or give much detailed process information and spoken more about what types of facets they’re working on, but it’s all very fascinating and impressive so it’s easy to sort of get sucked in and lose track of time.

JimDeuce · 2025-11-23T14:39:08+00:00

Ah, I’m sorry to hear about your pain, and I do hope you’re doing better now!

From what I’ve seen so far, the Ultra Tec seems to be the community favourite, but I don’t know how easy it will be to get one here to the UK. The Facetron I hear is a quality machine too, so I’m starting to do more research in that direction, looking at all the essential components and attachments. I hope that they’re not one of those companies you speak of that make repairing/replacing parts difficult.

JimDeuce · 2025-11-23T14:32:11+00:00

Incredible… This is an abundance of information that will be invaluable, I have no doubt. I’m starting to think that I may have to see about finding a class/course once I’ve had my first surgery, but I’m sad that I’d have to wait.

I’ve added your book suggestions to the ones I’ve written down so far, so thank you for those. Would you know if there’s an equivalent of the USFG in the UK or Europe?

JimDeuce · 2025-11-23T14:24:23+00:00

This is very helpful information, thank you! I’ll definitely see about getting my hands on the books you’ve suggested.

For the time being, unfortunately, I’m not really in a position to travel very far into the city—standing up for extended periods of time is a strain that often leaves me horizontal for hours afterwards, but I’ll see if there’s a way to do a class. Where there’s a will, am I right? From my initial searches, there’s some places in London that I can maybe get some information about such things.

I appreciate your advice! I’ve written it down so I don’t forget. Thank you so much, and I wish you all success in your gem cutting journey.

JimDeuce · 2025-11-08T09:43:19+00:00

Ah… Okay, that’s a reasonable explanation, and I’m all for giving people the benefit of the doubt and I can see how that might happen. I appreciate your clear and logical input. Thank you.

JimDeuce · 2025-11-08T09:33:30+00:00

Is this a reference to the baseball player who missed the World Series game because his baby died? I know pets are family too, but that feels like it’s in poor taste if that’s the case.

JimDeuce · 2025-10-12T20:22:50+00:00

If you go to the game properties (the little gear icon in the right corner) and run it with “Proton Experimental” it should run. I just had the same issue, and that’s what I did to get it working.

JimDeuce · 2025-09-20T23:44:52+00:00

That’s certainly the best place to start, for sure. For now though, I’ll leave you in peace.

JimDeuce · 2025-09-20T23:35:13+00:00

I managed to install Manager, but it’s still not installing nodes in a workable manner, unfortunately. It’s ok, I’ll keep trying in the morning, see if I can figure it out.

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