Raining dogs and Tools
Design Your Perfect Studio Tools Welcome to the Raining Dogs & Tools Rib Designer by PotteryTech. Have you ever needed a highly specific rib for a tricky bowl interior or vase neck, but couldn’t find it in any store? This free web application bridges the gap between your pottery wheel and your 3D printer. Trace your own pot silhouettes, dial in your exact millimeter dimensions, and instantly export your custom rib profiles as CAD-ready SVG files. Start designing your custom studio equipment below!
1. Basic Drawing & Templates
- Start Drawing: Click anywhere on the grid to drop dark anchor points. To finish, click the red starting dot to close the shape.
- Use a Template: Select a classic Kidney, Teardrop, or Scraper from the drop-down menu for a quick head start.
- Move the Shape: Once your outline is closed, simply click and drag anywhere inside the tinted shape to move it around the canvas.
- Flip and Rotate: Use the arrow buttons in the toolbar to instantly mirror your design or rotate it 90 degrees.
2. Refining Your Curves
- Bend the Lines: Drag the smaller orange control points to bend straight edges into smooth curves. Double-click an orange point to snap it back to a straight line.
- Add or Delete: Hover over any line and click the green dot to add a brand new anchor point. Double-click any dark point to delete it.
- Trace a Photo: Click “Upload Pot Ref” to import a photo of your pottery. Use the slider to fade the image, allowing you to trace the perfect profile.
- Clean View: Check this box to temporarily hide all the editing dots so you can clearly check your silhouette.
3. Sizing and 3D Printing
- Real-World Scale: Enter your exact desired width and height in millimeters. Keep the link icon (🔗) checked to scale without distorting your design.
- Save for CAD: Click “Save SVG” to download your file. Import this into your 3D software to extrude it into a physical rib.
- Import and Edit: Use the “Import SVG” button to load your previously saved file back into this screen and continue editing exactly where you left off.
3D Settings & Sizing Guide
Before exporting your rib design, set your physical dimensions in the toolbar to match your studio needs:
- W (Width in mm): Sets the widest point of your rib from left to right.
- H (Height in mm): Sets the tallest point of your rib from top to bottom.
- 🔗 Link Icon (Aspect Ratio): When checked, changing the width automatically adjusts the height (and vice versa) so your shape keeps its exact proportions. Uncheck this if you want to stretch or squash the design.
- T (Thickness in mm): Sets how thick the solid 3D print will be along the Z-axis.
Recommended Thickness for Pottery Ribs
| Thickness | Flexibility | Best Used For |
| 1.5 mm – 2.0 mm | Flexible | Smoothing tight curves, inner bowl profiles, and delicate compressions. |
| 3.0 mm – 4.0 mm | Semi-Rigid | Standard all-round ribs for throwing mugs, vases, and general shaping. |
| 5.0 mm – 6.0 mm | Stiff / Rigid | Heavy scraping, straight cylinder walls, large platters, and foot trimming. |
Which File Format Should You Export?
- 🖨️ STL (Direct 3D Print): Exports a completed, solid 3D model using your T (Thickness) setting. No CAD software required—you can send this directly to your 3D printer slicer.
- ⚙️ DXF (Engineering CAD): Exports a precision 2D sketch line. Use this if you want to open the drawing in DesignSpark Mechanical or Fusion 360 to add custom bevels or finger holes.
- 💾 SVG (Vector / TinkerCAD): Exports a 2D vector outline. Use this for TinkerCAD or to re-import and edit the design in this web app later.
How to Import Your Files into 3D Software
1. Direct to 3D Slicer (Cura, PrusaSlicer, Bambu Studio)
- Click 🖨️ STL in the toolbar to download your 3D rib.
- Open your slicer software.
- Drag and drop the
.stlfile directly onto the virtual build plate. - Ensure the rib is lying flat against the bed.
- Set infill to 100% (for maximum rigidity and water resistance in the studio) and click Slice.
