I want to print a precise curve...

[stytagm]

Hi All,

I want to find some free/open source software that'll allow me to draw, and more importantly print, a precise curve.

Basically I want an arc with a radius of 63mm where the length of the arc is 9cm. And then I want to print it so I can use it as a template for cutting some bits of plywood.

Now the only software which I'd know how to do this with is Autocad, and I haven't had access to that since I worked in an engineering company about 9 years ago.

So, does anyone know anything that could do this for free? It's got to be accurate, but I could probably do the maths myself (ie figure out the angle of the arc, rather than the length of it). So if I can't draw the arc, the next best thing would be a circle with a radius of 63mm (diameter 126mm). Could the Gimp do this? Or Inkscape? Or something similar.

Cheers guys, - Andrew.

PS Mods, feel free to move this to Software/apps if that's a more appropriate home for it. Sorry!

[Saracen]

....

PS Mods, feel free to move this to Software/apps if that's a more appropriate home for it. Sorry!

Software is probably a better place for it, but I've left a 24-hour redirect in GD, so if anyone there sees it, they'll answer here.

[herulach]

avoCADo, although its very immature should let you do that, and iirc theres a free (as in beer) edition of qCAD

[TheAnimus]

I'm not a user of it but many rave over sketch up.

[0iD]

Use compasses.

If the rad is only 63, use a cord length of about 82.5 & you won't be too far off. (82.54 will give you an arc length of 90mm)