How To Use French Curves

[@KEVINKEVINKEVINWWW]

Would like to see how to draw parallel curves.

[@DMichigan]

I still have some from taking a drafting class during my engineering program from 1980s!

[@gallowafricankid1863]

Legend.

[@njtomboy]

Thank you. I'm using them for a display...but was afraid to start. You've helped me through that.

[@giovannifontanetto9604]

I expected some rigid, logical structure to use them, I imagined it would be complex to understand it. But, it's a french curve, not a german curve, yout simply use the one you want because you want to...

[@RameausNephew]

It actually *is* a German curve, though! They were invented by the German mathematician Ludwig Burmester.

[@akinlabiolaniyi2956]

Thanks you are a real drafter

[@ravenshadowz2343]

Thank you for this tutorial video!

[@avleathercraft648]

How can you reproduce the same curve, as there are no reference markings on the curves itself?

[@danielcarlile]

How do you mirror curves for symmetrical designs?

[@21stCenturySpaceOdyssey]

Thanks for posting this!

[@colbrt]

Nice little tutorial. Thanks for sharing - I was taught these techniques in art school in the early 80's and have a project I needed to use French curves again for after at least a 30 year gap, good refresher (and reminder that it's pretty much practice, patience and common sense. Back in the day we used to coat ours with a bit of automotive wax, made cleanup easier after using radiograph or pen with them.

[@coltennial9513]

@Lonna Rownd Dude you're so right! No one cares -_-

[@drferry]

Nice illustration, but I think it would be worthwhile to mention something of the background of French curves. You don’t need to spend time on the math, but two things would be useful: we use French curves because these shapes have been shown to be very appealing to the human brain, and they are curves with a continually changing radius.

[@bngr_bngr]

David Ferry curves make inefficient buildings.

[@sthiel126]

@@bngr_bngr 😂

[@dudleybarker2273]

this is the thing that gets me, Dave - when i'm designing something with a freehand sketch and then use a French curve to clarify that line, i find it takes hours to translate that line into a working CAD drawing - so i would do the sketch on paper, scan it, then use the in-built French curves in SketchBook Pro, and *then* only import that line into Rhino3D... and still not get the radii exactly correct - i end up with like 5 radii on a single line, and the guy at the steel benders looks at me like i've just shot his dog...

[@ThisisArtSoitis]

@@dudleybarker2273 wouldn't going to a forge suit you better then?

[@dudleybarker2273]

@@ThisisArtSoitis i'm a blacksmith, mate - and we have a roller at the forge, but when you're doing bulk orders you need to involve a third party - anyway, solved this particular problem a year ago, already - but thanks. ;)

[@alb673]

Ok silly question, but how can i use them to make repeated curves all the same without a graduation markings? Or a mirrored curve? Thanks

[@MotionFORM]

Awesome tutorial, these things pop up in Architect's studios often without instruction manuals. Now I get it! thanks for sharing!

[@aheartofworship27]

Nice presentation. Interesting! Can they produce even spaces between lines?

[@meirabachanambam757]

Thanks it helped me alot

[@michaelsrowland]

This is the only video on using a French curve in English

[@tarbucktransom]

It's not true that they're not mathematical though? One of them is made from ellipses and parabolas, one is made from logarithmic spirals, and one is made from euler spirals. Some of the paisley looking curves on the inside are drawn by 4-bar linkages, at least on some sets.

[@श्रीविद्याश्री]

Good

[@mpd-diy-guy4241]

Just wanted to add a quick comment that none of your links to equipment are working, every one gets a dead page message with the exception of the KZbin link and the one to your website. Thought you should know. Also, I believe all French curves are based on the “golden ratio” which you can Google for hours or even days of reading.

[@draftscapes1230]

Thank you Michael. Yes, a large overhaul/update of the links is necessary. Hopefully in the coming month. Best of luck with your landscape design endeavors!

[@lucaswillis2809]

They're based on the Euler Spiral

[@jammywesty91]

I can't for the life of me find a French curve set without bevelled edges...

[@KEVINKEVINKEVINWWW]

I’ve never seen anyone use the curves inside the tool.

[@r.mercado9737]

The video was nice. Since you’re a southpaw, there is a need to do something about your thumb. It was more of a distraction. Sorry bub. Semper Fi

[@tburriss]

I appreciate the video in part, but like most guys doing how-to videos you spend time on useless words. Stick to the point and nothing but the point. Stop commentary that adds nothing. Doing that alone would make you stand out.

[@colbrt]

I guess we all have opinions, but I disagree. I really don't find superfluous verbal embellishment here.

[@gallowafricankid1863]

Talks too much .

[@yasserabdulkadir7420]

Thank you. Good video, but too much talking. It is doing and speed age. Try more doing and less talking

[@friendlypiranha774]

Appears more artistic, less technical