3D Design Tools
DrawMetal™ provides plugins (extensions) for SketchUp® for drawing curved tapered shapes common in architectural and ornamental metalwork and for calculating the amount of stock required to fabricate the tapers.
While targeted for artist blacksmiths, metalsmiths, jewelers, metal sculptors and metal fabricators, the plugins may also be used by architects and landscape architects to design architectural elements such as tapered ramps, walkways and walls.
The plugins are available free of charge - there are no license or usage fees.
Taper Maker
Draws a tapered cross-section along a path (line) designed by the user. Cross-sections can be round, square, rectangular, hexagonal or octagonal. Tapers can be centered on the path or can be drawn to the left, right, above or below the path.
Curve Maker
Draws a variety of curves which can be used as taper paths. Draw the curves interactively or enter desired dimensions for a curve. No need to know any mathematical formulas. The figure below shows a Bernoulli spiral created from the two dimensions specified.
Stock Maker
Estimates how much stock is required to make a taper. In the example below, Stock Maker determines that approximately 9 5/16" of 1" square stock is sufficient to draw this 30" taper.
Stock Maker also accumulates requirements across multiple tapers and estimates the total finished weight and stock cost.