[TheForge] Sketchup plugin for blacksmiths

[Ben Barrett]

Yes, do!  They are really cool.  If you're not terribly computer savvy, the
hardest part will be unpacking the drawmetal download, and finding the
sketchup application plugins folders to drop it into.  After that, there are
tons of very nice video walkthroughs, on youtube and also via sketchup's
help itself; then the drawmetal plugins will make a lot of sense.  I can
say, if you're a bit colorblind, you will just have to get used to the red
and green differentiation for scroll and taper terminations (ID'ing which
end is inside, or pointy (not necc. both of course)).  I would like to be
able to adjust the colors, and might be able to modify the ruby code for
it.  If you want the quickest stunning results, check out the array copy
tutorials, so that you can sketch up some repeating sections.  I would like
to make this into a proper iforgeiron blueprint or instructable howto or
general write-up for my regional publication, here's the gist:
Install Sketchup (or update to the latest version)
Install DrawMetal plugins
Start up Sketchup with DrawMetal (and possibly other plugins, but simple at
first!)
Make a piece of stock, rectangular or round
Taper it
Scroll it (at this point, you may want to try the last few steps again until
you like your result)
(next is optional:  scale a few copies of this tapered scroll)
Array copy this into grid, radial, etc or onto a path!
Finally, array copy *that* (which has many tapered scrolls in it)
So now you can enjoy building that fancy arbor, or 200' fence, or window
grate.
If you keep your first attempts in 2D (that is, flat on one plane in the 3D
space), you'll have a better time getting used to it.

Anyone want to help me out with the write-up, or a collection of example
material for it?

Thanks & enjoy,

Ben

PS - there are many other GREAT plugins for sketchup, many of which are free
-- so these make it as powerful as some very high-end systems in terms of
certain capabilities; also note, as you curf around, that much of the
terminology does not translate directly to our medium of metal:  the "weld"
plugin is very useful and has some parallels to emtal welding, but has a
very specific purpose in terms of the CAD objects (how do I say it, erm,
perfect penetration?).


On Sat, May 9, 2009 at 3:58 PM, Rich Maynard <rich at maynard.org.uk> wrote:

> http://www.drawmetal.com/gallery
>
> I don't use Sketchup yet, but I might have to give it a try now!
>
> Rich M.
>
> Richard Maynard - Artist Blacksmith
> The Forge, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire SG10 6BS
>
> The Forge Experience - be a blacksmith for a day!
> http://www.muchhadhamforge.co.uk/experience.pdf
>
> rich at muchhadhamforge.co.uk
> www.muchhadhamforge.co.uk
>
>
>
>
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