Tools, Spaces, Robots and Widgets
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What would you like to see in a luthiery Fusion360 plugin?
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What would you like to see in a luthiery Fusion360 plugin?
As one does, I got distracted designing a fretboard for my newest acoustic build and thought ‘Wouldn’t it be great if there was a plugin to do this automatically?’
Several days and 1000 lines of Python later, it’s definitely possible. But then I thought “What else might be interesting as part of a plugin like this?”
So I’d love to hear what you think, including:
– Is this something you think is valuable (irrespective of price)
– If it is valuable, what might you pay in the Autodesk plugin marketplace
– What else would be interesting if it could be generated? Thinking things like “Martin acoustic bridge” or “insert a Floyd Rose diagram” or anything else
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10 Replies
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Hi Randy, wow…I cannot imagine coding all that Python; I am only just learning a bit about this programming language, so it’s all still very new to me. As for a Lutherie plug-in, that would be fantastic. I need to design a new bass guitar neck and corresponding fingerboard, so such a tool would be most helpful. As for other “options,” maybe something to easily modify a headstock design, which could also be used to make routing templates, might be useful. Also, maybe a few “stock” body shapes to start from and modify could get people a headstart on using Fusion as well. Just a few small ideas. Many thanks! Dom
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> I cannot imagine coding all that Python; I am only just learning a bit about this programming language, so it’s all still very new to me.
I didn’t actually type all the lines, I’m using those newfangled “AI” tools. But that only works because I’m a former software engineer AND understand the CAD model, so I can easily verify the code correctness
As for your requests, I think we’re on the same page. I could have “S-type”, “T-type”, “Bolt-on bass” type of templates for sure. I do wonder at what point that gets me into trouble though 😂
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Your background sounds fantastic and you could bring so much knowledge to the group! (I promise not to tell…!)
Your point about copyrights is valid; however, m y understanding is that body shapes are not really the issue, it’s more about avoiding the Trademarked (Tm) headstocks and, naturally, anything else that is already a formal Tm. Either way, starting out with an amorphous “body-like” shape that at least gives the user some curves to start with (I have found these to always be the most complex), it may be useful and not legally concerning.
I, too, have used AI tools to write some code (mostly HTML) but I don’t know enough about coding to know what is correct, etc. It’s still somewhat of a black box for me.
BTW, great to “meet” you here!
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Great to meet you too!
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Fender lost the case on the body shapes. See https://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?pno=91161403&pty=OPP&eno=246
Guy who practiced down the street from me lost it for Fender. Ouch.
I’m pretty sure the headstocks for the Tele and Strat are still protected though.
ttabvue.uspto.gov
USPTO TTABVUE. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Inquiry System
USPTO TTABVUE. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Inquiry System
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Great find…it’s not the lawyer who lost it, just Fender for not pursuing it for 50 years!
I’m more interested in acoustics, so I’ll probably start at those classic body shapes
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That’s an interesting question… I suppose It really depends on the target audience.
Sitting here I can say plugins for the fretboard are very convenient (Been using the Shaner one for a couple years now) But aside from that?
Couple spitball ideas for you.
Bridge holes/saddle slot generator with compensation to match the fretboard specs.
and maybe one that can take a pre-defined body shape and generate the bending forms as well as mould, with clamp holes and such? basically a tedium reducer.Beyond that? I’m not sure really. something tied to headstock hole placement maybe. depending on if you want a certain string pull or such.
Although from where I’m sat… fretboards are great lots of tiny measurements and potential room for screw-ups. easy to define geometrically… the rest is much more free form… And might be better served by user understanding more than a plugin.
How easy are those rabbit holes to fall down though! *Looks over at homebrew CNC winder* yeah….
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That is great feedback, thank you! I’m definitely familiar with Austin’s work, I’ve learned a ton from him.
Ultimately, tedium reduction is definitely what I’m aiming at. Drawing guitars is fun (to me) and sometimes software, so this rabbit hole presented itself and now I need to figure out what to do with it (or stop and get back to work building 🤣)
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Not sure what a script would do differently than Austin’s parametric fretboard? There have been updated versions of the parametric fretboard which are available for free on Austin’s discord, made by some of the members. They are rock solid for multiscales and whatever kind of board you’d want to make. They also have the bridge location, etc. There’s ones with every variety of pickup laid out already parametrically, and full neck models that are also parametric and/or will automatically model all the Fender shapes.
I dunno. I don’t see anything a script would do that would help me to be honest. If you are doing your own custom work, I don’t really see much of it getting automated, but there is a ton of stuff for free that’s already great.
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It’s not that a script is “better”, just a different workflow. Instead of having to start with the template, you’d have it as a menu item.
The real value is that it doesn’t just have to be about a fretboard. I created a separate tool that just puts various constants into a project without drawing anything. I do think generating all the molds for an acoustic might be the next thing I pursue, and if I seems valuable in my workflow then maybe it will be to others
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