Skip to content

Arc Edge

by dartmeadow·Workflow

Images © dartmeadow. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Arc Edge earns its place in the blender_extensions library as a niche measurement add-on from a mathematician and 3D animator, aimed at finite-arc analysis rather than everyday modeling.

What is Arc Edge?

Arc Edge is an add-on for Blender that focuses on finite arcs — the arcs that fall outside the two symmetrical shapes, circles and ellipses. Built by dartmeadow, a mathematician and 3D animator, it creates these arcs and measures the distance from the start of an arc to its end. It can also measure Blender's default geometry objects when you select them.

The add-on works through a few defined values. The 1/8th Circle Arc Match is the circumference of the circle that matches the symmetrical point on a finite arc where it first begins to curve or fold back toward where it began. The Max Circle Diameter is the first circle too large for any of its curvature to touch within the arc. Within Blender you currently repeat the Measure Arc function to get updated measures. The aim is to take that data and feed it into other setups for real-world use and simulation feedback.

Arc Edge is a side product of dartmeadow's main project at Radical Deepscale, called Arc Lake, opened up to the Blender community. Extended features are planned, and a blend file for experimenting is available.

Who is Arc Edge best for?

Arc Edge is best for blender users doing scientific analysis who need to create and measure finite arcs and feed that data into other setups.

How much does Arc Edge cost?

Arc Edge is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Creates and measures finite arcs — arcs that fall outside circles and ellipses
  • Measures the distance from the start of an arc to its end
  • 1/8th Circle Arc Match: circumference of the circle matching the symmetrical point where the arc first curves back
  • Max Circle Diameter: the first circle too large for its curvature to touch within the arc
  • Measures Blender's default geometry objects when they're selected
  • Measurement data can be fed into other setups for real-world use and simulation feedback
  • A blend file for experimenting with the add-on is available

Tags

#Arc Edge#Blender#measurement#finite arcs#scientific analysis#geometry#dartmeadow

Frequently asked questions

Does Arc Edge work with Blender 5.0.1?

Arc Edge is compatible with Blender 5.0.1 and newer, so you'll need a recent build to run it. Version 1.1.0 was last updated on February 28, 2025. It creates and measures finite arcs and can also measure Blender's default geometry objects when you select them. If you're on an older Blender release, check the developer's page at dartmeadow.gumroad.com to confirm the current version's requirements before installing.

Is Arc Edge free to use?

Arc Edge is listed as free here, and it's released under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later. The developer, dartmeadow, also links contribution pages for anyone who wants to support the project. For current licensing terms and any optional ways to contribute, head to the developer's page at dartmeadow.gumroad.com. The GPL v3.0 or later license means you can use, study and modify the add-on within the terms of that license.

How does Arc Edge update its measurements in Blender?

Arc Edge currently requires you to repeat the Measure Arc function to get updated measures within Blender. It reports values such as the 1/8th Circle Arc Match, the circumference of the circle matching the symmetrical point where a finite arc first curves back, and the Max Circle Diameter, the first circle too large for any of its curvature to touch within the arc. The goal is to take those measurements and feed the data into other setups for real-world use and simulation feedback.

Can Arc Edge measure objects other than arcs?

Arc Edge can measure Blender's default geometry objects when you select them, in addition to the finite arcs it specializes in. Finite arcs are those that fall outside the two symmetrical shapes, circles and ellipses. A blend file for experimenting with the add-on is available, which lets you try the measurement functions on your own geometry. The tool is built to aid scientific analysis, and its measurement data can be fed into other setups for simulation feedback.

Alternatives to Arc Edge

Also in Workflow for Blender.

Similar plugins