Sketchframer: Revolutionizing Light Steel Framing (LSF) from Design to Fabrication

The Steel Framing Industry, Open to Everyone

The Light Steel Framing (LSF) industry is experiencing a digital transformation, and at the forefront of this shift is Sketchframer, a specialized BIM-based design platform connected directly to real fabrication workflows. Unlike general CAD software, Sketchframer was built from the ground up by industry specialists as a professional Steel Framing design plugin operating directly inside SketchUp. By drawing on real-world project experience, it provides a tailored, intuitive environment for structural detailing.

A Seamless Bridge to Production

Sketchframer is engineered with fabrication at its core. Rather than treating manufacturing as an afterthought, the software prepares projects for physical production from the very first model. It automatically generates CNC-ready NC files and cutlists directly from the 3D model, eliminating any need for tedious manual conversions.

To make digital fabrication highly accessible, Sketchframer integrates with Manu, a compact steel framing machine. Designed to operate seamlessly with the platform, Manu uses locally sourced profiles and standard materials. This allows builders and designers to establish their own digital production facilities without the prohibitive infrastructure costs of traditional, massive industrial machinery.

An Open, Collaborative Ecosystem

Sketchframer functions as a unified network, connecting designers, builders, and factories on a single platform. Through this digital ecosystem, projects can be designed, quoted, and sent directly to production without any intermediaries.

This collaborative vision is supported by a highly disruptive pricing model: no license is required to start. Users can model structures, generate construction drawings, and download detailed cutlists completely free of charge. Payment is only required when a project officially moves into the fabrication phase.