November 2023

November 14, 2023

Fastener libraries for AxoTools

One of the new features in AxoTools is adding fastener libraries in the form of specially-formatted symbol libraries. AxoTools comes with a fastener library, and you can add others. Industrial Artworks has already created a library of nearly a hundred high-quality fastener symbols, which is available for purchase.

industrial artworks library

To install AxoTools’ symbol library, open the AxoTools Fasteners panel. In its flyout menu, select the item to Update “AxoTools Fasteners.ai” file.

A dialog will ask you to confirm whether you really want to install it. Click the OK button, or press Escape to cancel..

dialog for fastener symbols on desktop

You will probably get a message that the file and folder cannot be created in the Symbols folder. Click the Yes button to create it on your desktop.

dialog to confirm updating your symbols file

You should now see a folder named “AxoTools Symbols” on your desktop. Navigate to your Symbols folder, located in your Adobe Illustrator application folder in Presets > [Language] > Symbols, and copy the “AxoTools Symbols” folder here. Your operating system will ask you for permission to copy the file. If you look in this folder, you’ll see one Illustrator file named “AxoTools Symbols.ai” which you can open to see the available symbols and read instructions on how to create your own fastener symbols. If you purchase an additional symbol library or create your own, this is where the file should be placed.

Restart Illustrator. On launch, AxoTools will look for this folder to load fastener symbols into their corresponding menus in the Fasteners panel. If you also install the Industrial Artworks symbol library, your Screw variations menu should look like this:

The divider separates generated symbols drawn for any projection from the symbol-based fasteners, which are typically drawn in isometric. The two slotted hex screws and two drywall screws come with AxoTools. The items identified with “IA” are from Industrial Artworks.

Please let me know how your experience goes with installing, using, and perhaps creating fastener symbol libraries.

November 12, 2023

AxoTools adds Fastener panel and tool

Rick Johnson

AxoTools Fasteners panel fastener types AxoTools has added a new Fasteners panel to help you quickly create fasteners of common types and sizes, scaled to fit your document.

Check the fasteners you want to create and choose a variation in the menus, then select a size from the list of presets. If you’re creating a bolt or screw, enter a shank length. The hole can be created either with or without matching threads.

Choose one of the four available axonometric faces and click the “Create fastener(s)” button.

These options also define the fasteners created with the Axo Fastener tool.

Click or drag the Fastener tool to create a set of fasteners rotated to any of your document’s axes, and sized to your document’s scale.

Built-in fastener selections include 17 types of nuts, bolts, and washers drawn as path art in your document’s projection — that’s any projection, as it is not limited to only isometric.

In addition, 14 other fasteners are included in a symbol library that you can use as-is, modify, or add your own custom fasteners. Threaded shanks are automatically added to screw/bolt heads and threaded holes are added to nuts. If you’re using multiple stroke widths, the stroke widths of the fastener symbols are changed to your standard widths and the symbols expanded to fully-editable art.

Extensive, professionally-drawn symbol libraries will also be available soon from other sources.

These new features are available now in a free update to AxoTools.

For more information, please refer to the online documentation for the Fasteners panel. Download AxoTools and try it yourself.