mechanics-sketches
Generate technical engineering mechanics sketches (beams, supports, forces, moments, dimensions, coordinate systems) as PDF/PNG/SVG using the MechanicsSketches Python library. Use this skill when asked to create free-body diagrams, structural sketches, or mechanical engineering figures.
Why use this skill?
Use the MechanicsSketches skill to generate technical free-body diagrams, beams, and structural force diagrams programmatically in PDF/SVG format.
Install via CLI (Recommended)
clawhub install openclaw/skills/skills/matthiashbusch/mechanics-sketchesWhat This Skill Does
The MechanicsSketches skill provides a powerful programmatic interface to generate technical engineering mechanics diagrams. It acts as a specialized wrapper around the MechanicsSketches Python library, allowing you to create high-quality, professional-grade free-body diagrams (FBDs), structural layouts, and mechanical figures. The library abstracts complex matplotlib plotting, allowing you to define structural elements like beams, trusses, supports, forces, and moments using simple geometric primitives. By leveraging a consistent coordinate system and a scalable architecture, you can programmatically render clean, print-ready PDF, PNG, or SVG files for reports, academic assignments, or technical documentation.
Installation
To integrate this skill into your OpenClaw environment, execute the following command in your terminal:
clawhub install openclaw/skills/skills/matthiashbusch/mechanics-sketches
Ensure that you have the required dependencies (matplotlib and PyQt5) installed within your environment. If you are working outside of the OpenClaw container, you can perform a manual setup by cloning the repository and adding the path to your PYTHONPATH.
Use Cases
This skill is perfect for mechanical, civil, and structural engineers. Use it to:
- Visualize complex load cases for beam analysis.
- Create clear, consistent FBDs for statics and dynamics homework.
- Generate scalable, high-resolution vector diagrams for technical publications.
- Dynamically generate structural schematics based on varying input parameters in a project.
- Create standardized support and loading symbol conventions for engineering reports.
Example Prompts
- "Generate a free-body diagram for a simply supported beam of length 10m with a point load of 5kN at the center."
- "Create a mechanics sketch of a cantilever beam fixed at the left end with a moment applied at the free end, using the MechanicsSketches library."
- "Draw a truss system sketch showing two pinned supports at each end and include dimension arrows for the total span."
Tips & Limitations
- Scale Factor: Always define a scale factor
S(typically between 20.0 and 40.0) to ensure your components maintain proper spatial proportions. - Coordinate System: Remember that
angle_deg=0generally points upward for forces and supports. Use counterclockwise rotation for custom orientations. - Complexity: The tool is designed for 2D structural sketches; it is not meant for complex finite element analysis (FEA) or 3D modeling. Keep your layouts clean to ensure the PDF labels remain legible.
Metadata
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Find the right skillPaste this into your clawhub.json to enable this plugin.
{
"plugins": {
"official-matthiashbusch-mechanics-sketches": {
"enabled": true,
"auto_update": true
}
}
}Tags(AI)
Flags: file-write, code-execution