Shadowboards for tools - the AI solution.

[Inbox]

This is something I have thought about and tried with bits of foam but it was more hassle than it was worth, so while perusing the web I found https://www.tooltrace.ai/

This basically lets you upload a picture of your tools on an A4 sheet of paper, converts it into outlines and then lets you design a basic layout as need. To me the valuable bit is not having to measure your tools.

The bit that interested me was the export options e.g. step, dxf and stl which can be 3D printed. You can take them up on supplying a custom foam insert based on your design if you want.

[Nigel_O]

Great idea, but what happens if your tool cabinet drawers are bigger than A4?

[JoshSm]

Sound like something you could do with any outlining tool that will export to vector in an editor, then potentially export to any cutting plotter that can handle the foam.

Maybe aided in the case of the AI by adding a bit of auto rotate and possibly recognising things against a library to get better generic fits vs trying to generate a new outline every time.

[MDT]

I did look at this, as ever watched a few youtube vids.

This is in theory a nice neat solution, but in reality.

It's not a very efficient use of the space.
Looks good and smart on day 1 but after you have put down and picked up tools with oily dirty hands it will start to look quite grubby
if you set your draws out like this and then buy a new tool. you are back into re-doing this.

the only real time this would work for me would be if I was to have a big tool box in the back of a van say day in day out to cut down on the rattles.

I actually have these foam cut out sheets big ones for a load of tools but they are not used and up in the loft.

[Dave.]

Nigel_O said:

Great idea, but what happens if your tool cabinet drawers are bigger than A4?

I’m assuming it’s using the A4 sheet as a scale to gauge the actual size of the tools.

Might get an A0 drawing out and see what it does