Hi Mick,
Not sure about the mouse and CAD stuff but I do like the concept of the drafting arm for making transfers. The thing is, I have already done the time consuming disc transfers unto hardboard and back to paper. I took it one step further and folded those in half, cut to a mean so they are symetrical. I am to the point where I have a full size pattern and a 70% pattern printed. They are just a little rough compared to computer generated plans. Those small variations on paper are going to represent a lot of sanding so I will need to clean up the plans or the stations. Probably the stations. I am really close and want to start making stations next week. The middle stations mirror like 10,11 and 9,12 so I can choose the truest of each pair on those.

I did take Prasad's advice (thanks Prasad) and downloaded the HULLS program. I need to spend a little time with that to even know if I should be considering that route. Between HULLS, DELFTSHIP, FREESHIP, and KAYAK FOUNDRY, which is prefered for simplicity and would still accomplish the task of printable stations?

Anyway, I have lots to think about over the weekend and will decide early next week. Making the 1/8 scale model would give me some answers.

Thanks,

Reg

: I think for what you're used to, that you should just proceed as you were and
: make station accommodations to your practiced eye. However the disc
: approach, tho' elegant, is a 2 step process of which the 2nd step takes
: lots of time cutting out the hardbd profiles - so if you can get your
: hands on an old arm drafter or parallel rule, the whole process would be
: way quicker and direct with only one step. (i keep kicking myself as i saw
: a great arm drafter in a thrift store for $10 a few yrs ago)

: as most mice now are optical and only need a flat surface, i think it would
: be interesting to take the depth and width at a station and then clip the
: mouse on the end of the drafter rule or parallel rule and just see what
: shape shows up in a CAD program. It would be most interesting to see what
: if there were vertical and horizontal difference or to see if the relative
: difference (if any) is consistent.

: if there was consistency, then you could directly input into digital form.
: you would still have to organize the output and place the forms in
: relative virtual space, but a huge intitial digital step would have taken
: place.

: at that stage, the overall shape from those forms would have to be faired and
: then new stations taken for the faired boat - and that is not a trivial
: job if you're going to try and do it first time..

: (I don't know about delftship, but the related freeship 2.6 up to 2.97
: imports background images fairly crudely (and with bugs) and aside from
: endpoints, rounded station shaping is indirect.)

: and returning to the simplified hand approach - your 'fairing' will likely be
: by overlaying all the section/form profiles and redrawing those outa
: whack. To then get the 70% size (or any overall or differing horizontal to
: vertical proportion - bigger or smaller) just send the drawing to a print
: shop for them to reduce/adjust. This is a simple inexpensive procedure and
: wont cost much more that just the print itself.

: if it was me, i'd order a 1/8 scale printout as well and make a model for
: your own personal record.

: mick