A lot of the participants here are pretty computer literate, and are using CAD to help design and visualize their models. (I'm one) How about a page for this stuff, so it doesn't get spread out into all the different topics?

And they don't all have to be serious, either, since a lot of us still have a sense of humor. Attached is an example of a "real" design and a "gag". image.

that's a very good idea...I'm trying to figure out how to add another half dozen or so categories without using up another 6 slots on the home page...it is getting rather long and I'm trying to keep it to some reasonable lenght...once I have a good solution I will add this along with some other requested forums here.

thanks!

In the "CAD and Design" forum, here are my thoughts for starter threads:

• How much do you use CAD and/or Paper to do design work?

• Design Concepts (Trade technical design concept ideas on this thread)

• Design, by TYPE:
> Scale Design
> Pattern, 3D, and other aerobatic designs
> Prop "Jets"
> Ducted Fan and Turbines
> Helicopters
> Sailplanes
> "Other" designs

• Airfoils, Flaps, Slats, etc.

• Landing Gear Design (fixed, retracts, and floats)

• How do you get plans from CAD to paper, to cut parts & assemble planes?

• CAD Library -a place for CAD users to trade parts (for example, if you've made an accurate engine or radio part, you could share it with others here. These could be 3D parts or 2D "templates" of parts.)

• CAD "Real Flyers" Image Gallery (a place to show off real RC Designs)

• CAD "Dreaming" Image Gallery (a place to show off conceptual designs)

• Performance Visualization (Share any methods you know of to predict the performance of new designs, including formulas and software.)

I'm sure there are a lot more subjects that will come up, but these might give us a pretty good start. I'm anxious to participate in these discussions with other designers!

Thanks!

Would it make any sense if these topics could be posted in an existing forum? Aerodynamics, scratch built, or another? This forum will likely garner some amount of activity but perhaps not enough to extend the forum list just yet.

What if I added 3D & CAD to the description under the most appropriate existing forum? Let me know what you think...

I would probably incorporate it into the 'Scratch Building' forum as that's what you are doing. Just a thought.

The reason I suggested that this subject has it's own "room" is that obviously it's not a subject for everyone. I've posted individual questions and comments within the other subjects, but they're quickly pushed out of the way in favor of "How to torque roll", or whatever.

I am hoping that those few of us who enjoy the design process, whether it be CAD or not, could have a permanent place to exchange ideas and store information, like a "Design Reference Library". As you may know, there is almost nothing available like this on the net or in publications for modelers.

I recently went looking for a simple piece of (decalage) information. I posted it here in "3D, Pattern..." and also in "Aerodynamics", and also wrote to the NSRCA and several other individual "known" flyers. Not even ONE real response! It's my opinion that better designs make everybody happy, and promote growth in the hobby. Sadly, at this time most designers seem to be simply copying the previous person and making subtle changes based on the "fly and adjust" method. This is fine, but I would really like to collect those interested in "real" design into a little group, and have some serious (and fun) discussions about the details. I hope some of you do too!

Thanks.

Mike,

I agree with all of what you wrote but what if we added to the title/description of scratch building? I'm hesitant to make the main page list much longer than it already is unless it's for a forum getting a substantial quantity of new posts daily. I have a thought....

Instead of:

Scratch Building
Starting a project from scratch? Talk about it here. Q&A's

Maybe...

Scratch Building, Aircraft Design, 3D/CAD
If you are starting a project from scratch or want to discuss design, CAD or share 3D design images this is the place. Q&A's.

Scratch Building, Aircraft Design, 3D/CAD
If you are starting a project from scratch or want to discuss design, CAD or share 3D design images this is the place. Q&A's.

Now that sounds good. My friend is sending me a couple of model cad programs while I am laid up to play with. I have always like designing but I am a very newbie with this modern stuff and it will be a big learning curve for me.