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Removed unsubstantiated, uncited mention of the Euler spiral. I have not been able to find any source indicating that French curves are restricted to that particular subset of curves, included in linked articles.
 
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[[File:Krzywiki.jpg|thumb|A collection of French curves]]{{short description|Template made from metal, wood or plastic composed segments of smooth curves}}
{{Short description|Template made from metal, wood or plastic composed of segments of smooth curves}}
{{Multiple issues|
A '''French curve''' is a template usually made from [[metal]], [[wood]] or [[plastic]] composed of many different [[curve]]s. It is used in manual [[Technical drawing|drafting]] to draw smooth curves of varying radii. The shapes are segments of the [[Euler spiral]] or clothoid curve. The curve is placed on the drawing material, and a [[pencil]], [[knife]] or other implement is traced around its curves to produce the desired result.
{{More citations needed|date=November 2023}}
{{One source|date=November 2023}}
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[[File:Krzywiki.jpg|thumb|A set of the three most common French curves, also known as a [[Ludwig Burmester|Burmester]] set. The bottom object is most commonly used for [[hyperbolas]]; the smaller one above it is suited for [[ellipse]]s. The large one is used mostly for [[parabolas]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.daube.ch/docu/glossary/drawingtools.html#french_curves | title = Drawing tools – French curves}}</ref>]]


A '''French curve''' is a template usually made from [[metal]], [[wood]] or [[plastic]] composed of many different curved segments. It is used in manual [[Technical drawing|drafting]] and in [[fashion design]] to draw smooth curves of varying radii. The curve is placed on the drawing material, and a [[pencil]], [[knife]] or other implement is traced around its curves to produce the desired result. They were invented by the German mathematician [[Ludwig Burmester]] and are also known as Burmester (curve) set.
== Modern successors ==

As modern computer-aided design ([[Computer-aided design|CAD]]) systems use vector-based graphics to achieve a precise [[radius]], mechanical templates (and most [[Technical_drawing|mechanical drawing]] techniques) have become obsolete. Digital computers can also be used to generate a set of coordinates that accurately describe an arbitrary curve, and the points can be connected with line segments to approximate the curve with a high degree of accuracy. Some computer-graphics systems make use of [[Bézier curve]]s, which allow a curve to be bent in real time on a display screen to follow a set of coordinates, much in the way a French curve would be placed on a set of three or four points on paper.
== Clothing design ==
<gallery>

File:L-Zeichnen2.png|A complete [[Ludwig Burmester|Burmester]] set from the ''[[Lexikon der gesamten Technik]]'' (1904)
[[File:L-Zeichnen2.png|thumb|A complete [[Ludwig Burmester|Burmester]] set from the ''[[Lexikon der gesamten Technik]]'' (1904)]]
File:Curve stencils.jpg|This set of the three most common French curves is also known as a [[Ludwig Burmester|Burmester]] set. The one on the far left side is most commonly used for [[hyperbolas]]; the smaller one on the far right side is suited for [[ellipse]]s. The large one below is used most for [[parabolas]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.daube.ch/docu/glossary/drawingtools.html#french_curves | title = Drawing tools – French curves}}</ref>
French curves are used in [[fashion design]] and [[sewing]] alongside [[hip curves]], [[straightedge|straight edges]] and [[square (tool)|right-angle ruler]]s. [[Pattern (sewing)|Commercial clothing patterns]] can be personalized for fit by using French curves to draw neckline, sleeve, bust and waist variations.
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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{{Measuring and alignment tools}}
{{Measuring and alignment tools}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Technical drawing]]
[[Category:Technical drawing tools]]
[[Category:Curves]]
[[Category:Curves]]
[[Category:Mathematical tools]]
[[Category:Mathematical tools]]

Latest revision as of 11:07, 16 March 2024

A set of the three most common French curves, also known as a Burmester set. The bottom object is most commonly used for hyperbolas; the smaller one above it is suited for ellipses. The large one is used mostly for parabolas.[1]

A French curve is a template usually made from metal, wood or plastic composed of many different curved segments. It is used in manual drafting and in fashion design to draw smooth curves of varying radii. The curve is placed on the drawing material, and a pencil, knife or other implement is traced around its curves to produce the desired result. They were invented by the German mathematician Ludwig Burmester and are also known as Burmester (curve) set.

Clothing design

[edit]
A complete Burmester set from the Lexikon der gesamten Technik (1904)

French curves are used in fashion design and sewing alongside hip curves, straight edges and right-angle rulers. Commercial clothing patterns can be personalized for fit by using French curves to draw neckline, sleeve, bust and waist variations.

See also

[edit]
  • Flat spline – Long flexible batten used to produce a fair curve through a set of points
  • Lesbian rule – Flexible strip of lead for use in molding
  • Ruler – Instrument used to measure distances
  • Technical drawing tool – Tools and instruments used for accurate and precise manual drafting

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Drawing tools – French curves".
[edit]