This probably is the last dev preview before the beta, since only** saving and loading** is still on the list for v1.0
So what is new in this release?
**The unit system can be selected!**
<img alt="" src="http://hrobeers.be/images/shape/fins/finFoil/prerelease/1.0.0.272_1.png" />
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<li>**Zooming is possible by pressing the Crtl key while scrolling the mousewheel.
<img alt="" src="http://hrobeers.be/images/shape/fins/finFoil/prerelease/1.0.0.272_3.png" />**
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<li>**Image can be drag & dropped in the different screens for tracing!**
<img alt="" src="http://hrobeers.be/images/shape/fins/finFoil/prerelease/1.0.0.272_2.png" />
In the screenshot above I dragged the mh78.gif file that I downloaded from <a href="http://aerospace.illinois.edu/m-selig/ads/coord_database.html">http://aerospace.illinois.edu/m-selig/ads/coord_database.html</a> into the profile editor.
<img alt="" src="http://aerospace.illinois.edu/m-selig/ads/afplots/mh78.gif" />
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<li>**A Thickness Ratio property is added to the Fin Properties screen**
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Hans, thanks for another great upgrade! The drag-and-drop with resizing of the reference image file is truly outstanding, as well as the unit selection option.
Will v1 have some saveas image (jpeg/bitmap,etc) options? Any printing of the whole image 1:1 or one contour at a time with registration marks?
I agree completely. I started developping this application with foiling the traditional way in mind, and use the application as a guidance.
That is also the reason that there is no 3D export functionality yet. 3D export for CNC machines has lowere priority for me just because of that reason. But freehand foiling without knowledge of the contours you need to achieve was not an option for me as a thermomechanical engineer.
But I want do encourage everybody to be creative with the application and use it in any way they like. So 3D export functionality will follow.
“STL export is definately on the horizon. But since this is a project in my spare time, I’m not able to build it as fast as I would like.”
Yeah, I realize this is just a side project for you, I’m just pushing my own selfish agenda of being lazy and not liking to hand-foil and glass fins
Is the new version still in C++/qt? What skillsets or knowledge would someone need to build an .stl export module? I don’t know C++ but I have access to some amazing CAD/CAM developers who this would likely be a trivial task for. It you could give me loose specs around what it would take I can start asking around and see who has the required skillset and bribe them with beer.
The current master branch of finFoil is built in C++ and depends on Qt, Boost and uses the Qt build system qmake.
Of course your friends are free to play with the source code and to contribute on github. But they will probably need some time to figure out the code.
I suggest that you wait a couple of months until I implemented it. I’m really getting close
The only issue with this outline is that the sweep calculation is not very accurate.
The sweep is calculated from the thickest point in the base to the tip of the fin. And since it is difficult to say where the tip is for this outline, the sweep calculation is not very accurate.
Does anyone has a suggestion for a better way of calculating the sweep?
I was thinking of taking the thickest point 10% from the top or something like that?
A feature that might be nice for us using the imperial system would be to have the grid do 1/32ths, 1/16ths, 1/8ths etc.
As this development is going along would you want to start a wiki page for this program/ DIY fin building in general? (I’m down to do a lot of the heavy lifting) Things like NACA profiles that work well for fins, laying up panels, laminating wood, etc… I know a lot of it is here on swaylocks but honestly the meh search, number of dead links, and MIA pictures makes finding this info kinda a pain in the ass.
