Modeling software

[skunkriv]

Wow! Terry,welcome to IforgeIron. Thanks for the info (and for doing the work!)

[markb]

Originally Posted by skunkriv

Wow! Terry,welcome to IforgeIron. Thanks for the info (and for doing the work!)

I just want to second the above.

[Frosty]

Thank you Terry.

This is exactly what someone on another forum was looking for that tipped me to giving Sketchup a try.

While I realize Sketchup is capable of drawing to ridiculous degrees of precision it's still not CAD which is what I meant. Poor wording on my part is no reflection of the product. I like it.

Thanks again and welcome aboard.

Frosty

[Frosty]

Terry:

While I hate to sound like a dummy I'm used to it after all these years.

I downloaded your plugins, moved them to the plugin folder but can't figure out how to get them working.

I'm using the free version of Sketchup 6 do I need the Pro version?

Thanks,

Frosty

[jake pogrebinsky]

Gentlemen,i have to say this.Frosty knows just what a freak i am,and the rest of you are just about to find out.I only wish that i was articulate enough to explain how strongly i feel about this,and,in the same time,how i respect everyone else's thinking-please believe me!But:

YOU ARE VERY WRONG!!!


Electronics,mechanisation in general,is what's killing blacksmithing.
QUALITY in forging can ONLY be achieved intuitively-by forging.IT cannot be substituted by CAD,or anything else.
Scrolling tools and jigs are the beginning,completely mechanised production is the logical end.In between-the loss of anything valid both to you,and the customer.
The shapes of the ironwork are determined by it's crystalline structure,and the weakness and the inefficiency of a human hand is exactly what ALLOWS it to take place,not INTELLECTUALISATION.
And,yes,of course i'm starving,holding these views.
And,yes,they'll pry my hammer out of my cold,dead fingers,when i do finally croak of malnutrition and my pathological,misguided stubborness,but:
Verily,i say unto thee-do not degrade our poor beleagered trade any further,and thyself in the process-let the WalMart perjure their eternal soul-go forth,and FORGE something...The cost-,and other efficiencies are for the bean-counters,not blacksmiths.
With the absolute respect to all of you,Jake Pogrebinsky,Galena,AK.

[Dodge]

Welcome to the site and don't hold back, Jake. Tell us how you REALLY feel Seriously tho, I don't know any blacksmiths that don't start with at least a sketch. In my own experience, I have found many of my customers can't always visualize what I want to do for them. The sketches help communicate. DaVinci even used sketches. CAD is just an electronic sketch. CAD can't swing a hammer. It is still up to the blacksmith to make the steel look like what the customer and he agreed upon. The better representation I can show my customer, the more confident I think they will be that they will get what they contracted for. The actual work is what they will get. Not the drawing. Just my 2 cents

[Dodge]

Terry,
Welcome! I downloaded the free Sketchup but haven't had time to "play" yet. I am very interested to learn more about your plugins and how to make them work with Sketchup

[markb]

I had the same thought of sorts when I looked at the add on. But I think the Egyptian artisans used children for their good eye sight, looking through a drop of water for a magnifier. Time and technology march on, use the tools of your choice.

[Frosty]

Jake, buddy:

Sketchup doesn't build anything. All it does is turn a rough sketch into a 3D drawing the customer can walk around, change colors, scale or change components in a few seconds rather than my having to redraw it all by hand. Sure I can draw the project quickly, do the same walk arounds, tweak it and print it before the customer sees it as well.

These plugins simply make drawing scrolls curves, tapers and the like easy on me. The material estimator isn't necessary but it's there.

So, how do you estimate how much iron to cut for a scroll?

To make it a little more realistic, let's say it's a scrolled shelf bracket someone wants you to reproduce and wants say a hundred and you have to buy and ship the steel to your shop.

I'll post my method for estimation in a bit.

Good to see you posting again Jake.

Frosty

[Covforge]

Jake, It's good to see you on here. If you get a chance look at our website at the newsletter I think you will get a kick out of it.
Travis