by Gabor Horvath·Modeling
Images © Gabor Horvath. Used for product review; image policy.
Prelimtools earns its place for a focused inset-outset workflow that turns a flat shape into concentric outlines with two adjustable parameters, alongside a dedicated wood bending pattern generator.
Prelimtools is a Blender add-on currently focused on creating inset-outset patterns within flat shapes. Its central 'Fill with inset' function generates multiple concentric outlines from a selected shape, running both inward as insets and outward as outsets. The developer notes this feature set will be expanded in future updates.
The workflow is short. Select a flat shape in Blender, configure the parameters, then click the Fill with inset button to generate the outlines. Two settings drive the result: Inset Width, a +/- value that adjusts the distance of each concentric outline from the original shape's boundary, and Maximum Outline Number, which specifies how many outlines are created.
Beyond the inset work, Prelimtools can create a bending pattern for wood lasering printers. That pattern has its own parameters for width, height, the X and Y gaps between lines and segments, and the number of segments. The add-on is distributed under the MIT license and lists support for Blender 4.0, 4.1 and 4.2.
Prelimtools V1.15 - Prelimutens Tools ( Inset/Outset,Wood Bending Pattern,Wood Box Joint ) is best for blender users adding concentric inset and outset detail to flat shapes, and those creating bending patterns for wood lasering printers.
Prelimtools V1.15 - Prelimutens Tools ( Inset/Outset,Wood Bending Pattern,Wood Box Joint ) is completely free to download and use.
Prelimtools lists support for Blender 4.0, 4.1 and 4.2, so it runs on the 4.2 release. The add-on is distributed under the MIT license. For flat-shape work in these versions you select a flat shape, set the Inset Width and Maximum Outline Number parameters, then use the Fill with inset function to generate the concentric outlines. If you run a Blender version outside this listed range, check the developer's page to confirm current compatibility before relying on it in a project.
Prelimtools is listed as free here and is distributed under the MIT license. Licensing terms can change over time, so check the developer's page for the current details before you download. The add-on covers the Fill with inset function for generating concentric inset and outset outlines within flat shapes, plus a bending pattern generator aimed at wood lasering printers. The developer notes the current feature set is focused on these inset-outset patterns and will be expanded in future updates.
Prelimtools generates inset-outset patterns through a short workflow inside Blender. Start by selecting a flat shape, then configure the parameters by setting the Inset Width value and the Maximum Outline Number. The Inset Width takes a +/- value that adjusts the distance of each concentric outline from the original shape's boundary, while the Maximum Outline Number specifies how many outlines are created. Click the Fill with inset button to generate the outlines, which run both inward as insets and outward as outsets from the shape.
Prelimtools includes a separate set of parameters for its wood bending pattern. You can adjust the width and height of the pattern, the X and Y gaps between lines and segments, and the number of segments. This bending pattern is intended for wood lasering printers. It sits alongside the Fill with inset function, which handles the concentric inset and outset outlines within flat shapes. Together these cover the current focus of the add-on, which the developer plans to expand in future updates.
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