How to Draw Clock Ornamentation

drphil · 3 Feb 2015, 12:57

I am an intermediate user of sketchup and have used it to draw and make items with my cnc router and 3d printer, but I am at a lost of how to draw this item. It has the combination of round curve and helical components. need some help. I have a number of plugins including the engineering tool box and the extrusion tool kit, but have not found a way to draw this. Also have not found any examples because I not sure what name to use for it. I have included a pictures. Thanks for the help.

davidheim1 · 3 Feb 2015, 14:23

Dear drphil,
I think you will need to download some extensions to accomplish what you want to do. You'll want one called Curve Maker for the helical volutes. And I would recommend the Curviloft extension for the decorative piece in the center--it's probably the best tool for creating that element's compound curve. (It will be easier to draw only half of that center piece, then copy and flip it, and combine it with the original.) One other point about using a SketchUp file with a CNC or a 3D printer: The elements you create must be Solid Components. Here's a link to an explanation:
http://help.sketchup.com/en/article/1011019

Good luck with this project. Please be sure to return to the forum to show off the finished model.
Best,
dh

drphil · 3 Feb 2015, 15:03

Thank you Davidheim1. I will look at those extensions. already doing items on CNC router and exporting them as solids. I am using the the skp-to-dxf plugin by N. Bromham http://rhin.crai.archi.fr/rld/plugin_details.php?id=774 and the CamBam Export plugin from cerebral meltdown http://www.cerebralmeltdown.com/cncstuff/page2/cambam_export/default.htm .

I am having a problem naming the components in these parts to even begin where to look or how. Will look at those plugins. Any other idead or help would be appreciated.

Here is one item that I have already done

sketchup file of drawing