create-dxf

What This Skill Does

The create-dxf skill is a specialized automation tool designed to bridge the gap between natural language descriptions and precision manufacturing files. It takes a validated JSON specification and converts it into a high-quality, RFQ-ready 2D DXF file, along with an SVG preview for quick visual verification. By focusing on manufacturing-friendly entities such as closed LWPOLYLINEs for profiles and standard CIRCLE entities for holes, the skill ensures broad compatibility with CAD software and CAM post-processors commonly used in laser cutting, waterjet machining, and CNC routing. It enforces a center-origin coordinate system and explicit unit management to prevent common scaling errors in fabrication.

Installation

To integrate this capability into your OpenClaw environment, execute the following command in your terminal: clawhub install openclaw/skills/skills/ajmwagar/create-dxf

Ensure that you have Python 3 installed on your host system, as the skill relies on internal scripts to handle the geometric validation and file generation processes. Once installed, confirm the setup by running the validation script against a test JSON spec.

Use Cases

This skill is perfect for hardware engineers, hobbyist makers, and rapid-prototyping teams. Primary use cases include:

• Rapid generation of custom mounting plates for robotics projects.
• Creating structural gussets and reinforcement brackets for enclosures.
• Batch-generating standard hole patterns or slot configurations for modular racking.
• Translating simple 2D shapes described in design documents into ready-to-cut vector files for local machine shops.

Example Prompts

1. "Create a 100mm x 100mm aluminum mounting plate with 5mm radius rounded corners and four 4mm diameter mounting holes spaced 80mm apart in a square pattern."
2. "Generate a 3mm thick steel gusset design that acts as a right-angle triangle with legs of 50mm, including three slotted holes for M5 bolts."
3. "Design a circular flange with a 150mm outer diameter, a 50mm center bore, and a bolt circle diameter of 100mm with six evenly spaced 6mm holes."

Tips & Limitations

• Validation First: Always run the validation command before rendering. This prevents costly manufacturing errors by checking the JSON syntax against the schema.
• Coordinate Logic: Remember that the design is center-origin based. Account for this when calculating hole offsets from the center of your part.
• Geometry Constraints: The output is optimized for 2D parts. It does not support 3D extrusions, chamfers, or fillet operations outside of those defined in the initial profile. Complex curves may require additional nodes within the JSON spec to ensure smooth DXF paths.
• Layer Management: The generated DXF is structured with specific layers (CUT_OUTER, CUT_INNER). Use these to your advantage when configuring your CAM software's toolpaths.