you’ve probably already done this, but could you explain your “matrix” stuff? how the heck do you come up with those numbers?! and how can i try them out?
When I bought my first polystyrene blank, I bought it off the shelf. I copied an outline by scaling up an internet board picture. I guessed at the deck and rails. It worked okay, but I had to tweak some dimensions after shaping. I determined not to fail like that again. I got some tips on how to make good rocker from a couple of pros. I started on a program to make templates for custom hot-wire cutting my blanks. After building a few more boards, I discovered that the geometry works great. I picked up some flow theory and tried different curves. I learned which ones work better than others. In between boards I started expanding the program to make outline and deck/rail templates. My program wasn’t capable of printing graphics full scale. At first I manually transferred dimensions onto paper. Then I found a cheap-ish CAD program which would import dimensions, and show a 3-d shape. Using the CAD program I can display a rough blank, and print rocker and rail/deck templates on my HP 1120 printer. I haven’t yet purchased a big printer for outlines. If anybody has a line on a cheap one, I’d appreciate hearing about it. As you can see below, I’m just now getting the rail program complete. The next step is to incorporate a transitioning rail into the 3-d output. I like the idea of shaping machines, but I believe they aren’t practical for custom shapes. I hope to produce a three dimensional computer program which shapers can use to promote and design surfboards for customers, in short order, while they watch and provide feedback. Imagine showing a prospective customer exactly what his board would look like this way… or that way, then printing out the templates, and sawing them out. I think the product would increase interest in custom boards, improve efficiency, and help produce surfboards shaped more like what customers want. A pro taking a board order from a customer unknowingly wanting a board that won’t work can settle the discussion on the computer screen. Other programs which currently do what my program will do aren’t as exact or as tweak-able. Also, those programs aren’t based on as solid a geometric model. Except for rocker, the shapes I’m sharing are reasonably easy to produce with my program. Rocker takes a little time. Sharing the shapes provides fellow amateur shapers with some good shapes, and provides me with another good program testing ground. Good rocker is the basis of board performance, and is closely held by good pros. I’m very fortunate to have had some of their help, and I appreciate it. On Swaylock’s bb, I can pass on some good rockers and other templates in “matrix” form without actually revealing any trade secrets. Tell me what shape you want, and I’ll pass it on as soon as I can.>>> you’ve probably already done this, but could you explain your > “matrix” stuff? how the heck do you come up with those numbers?! > and how can i try them out?
interesting. thanks and good programming!