xX-Linde-Xx Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 I have always wondered how they design all the roller coasters and flats. I saw on discovery a peak of a screen but couldn't tell the program he was using It kind of looked like no limits but more complicated. If you have any info please post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFNE Dude Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 They just use a CAD program like all other engineers use. There are lots of different types. They could possibly be using AutoCAD which is probably the most widely used professional CAD software. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xX-Linde-Xx Posted June 16, 2007 Author Share Posted June 16, 2007 I use autocad all the time and it didn't look like and CAD program I have seen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerberus Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 In much the same way as Pixar have taken existing software packages and altered them to better fit their needs, coaster companies also have personalised software packages that focus and excel in the specific areas they will be required for. Therefore they will be using uniquely commissioned programs (or mods of existing programs) which will not be available to anyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xX-Linde-Xx Posted June 16, 2007 Author Share Posted June 16, 2007 That makes sence. Thanks for the info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DATman Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 Well, first you take a coat hanger, and you bend it into shapes and inversions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asr Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 Well, first you take a coat hanger, and you bend it into shapes and inversions... Anyway, I always thought ride designers used a professional version of NoLimits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemmy Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 They don't design them in CAD I don't know exactly how it works, but they have their own programs in which they can enter desired force vectors and it produces the desired result. They then represent the ride in 3D through a CAD like program such as 3D VIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFNE Dude Posted June 16, 2007 Share Posted June 16, 2007 They don't design them in CAD Preliminary drawings must be done at some point to show design intent. And those my friend are done by a drafter using CAD software. The design must be done before they can measure forces. Then the designs can be revised after those results are known. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLUSHIE Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 Well, first you take a coat hanger, and you bend it into shapes and inversions... I thought it started by putting your index finger to your head and going "hmmmmmmm." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastercrazed49 Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 Vekoma and Togo probablly use RCT to build there coasters nice and smooth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asr Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 Vekoma and Togo probablly use RCT to build there coasters nice and smooth. Atleast it's a step up from Arrow's coathanger method Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterlover420 Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 They don't design them in CAD I don't know exactly how it works, but they have their own programs in which they can enter desired force vectors and it produces the desired result. They then represent the ride in 3D through a CAD like program such as 3D VIP Ok, lets learn something today! CAD: Computer Aided Design So technically, if they design it with a computer, the program is CAD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willski Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 Basically it's a bunch of splines in a CAD program. The splines are generated by mathematical formulas by a program like Maple (actually, the program used is Maple...), which also calculates forces. You then have a CAD drawing that you can use to generate site plans/blueprints for ride contruction/fabrication and you have a roller coaster! Of course, that's a very, very simplified version of what actaully happens. You can see how this is useful in designing a coaster: http://www.maplesoft.com/products/Maple11/professionals/index.aspx and http://www.maplesoft.com/engineering_design/index.aspx Check out the first demo in the second link. Amazingly powerful stuff... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vekoma Fan Boy Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 That made me question my desire to design roller coasters for a living... Vekoma "Eh well, I already going to the 8th grade algebra 1 class..." Fan Boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemmy Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 They don't design them in CAD I don't know exactly how it works, but they have their own programs in which they can enter desired force vectors and it produces the desired result. They then represent the ride in 3D through a CAD like program such as 3D VIP Ok, lets learn something today! CAD: Computer Aided Design So technically, if they design it with a computer, the program is CAD. No, because if I make a flyer and print it with my computer is that CAD? Going by your definition it is. I am a computer geek so I know what CAD means. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterlover420 Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 What do you mean by "make a flyer" though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asr Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 As in a brochure, not as in flying coaster. Unless he did mean flying coaster, and in that case, his point is void. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterlover420 Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 In any case mechanical, and by THE TOPIC OF THE THREAD, CAD is computer aided design of a physical object or system, in which case I make my point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxman47 Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 I believe when people say CAD they are refering to AutoCAD or a similar software package like SolidWorks, ProEngineer, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrant Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Premier Rides uses Solidworks for the mechanical side of design, as for the track design itself it is very mathematics intensive (3d parametric equations out the ass) in which every company approaches it a different way. Some just outsource the dynamics and statics calculations to be done by a vendor such as Stengel, while some do it in-house such as Moher Sohne in which they have their own software (check out XTRAC). Some companies use a more numbers-based visualization system such as spreadsheets (which I prefer) while others will use a much more visual approach such as the XTRAC software. As for the NoLimits software and such, that is still used but mostly for "blue-sky" stuff, imagining up layouts and doing quick testing to see if it would work, whether clearences seem good, and if it is exciting. The engineering work is completely different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Baynham Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 There are a number of DVDs available that explain how coasters are conceived using Computer Aided Design programs. I have pasted a write-up of one such example (from the Media Library) below, which features John Wardley. [DVD 58] REAL SCIENCE: DESIGNING THRILL RIDES FROM START TO FINISH. [DVD-R / 2004 / 25 MINS] This programme travels to the home of Colossus - the world’s first ten-inversion steel roller coaster – to reveal the physical, mechanical, and psychological forces that make the roller coaster the undisputed king of thrill rides. Concepting, computer-assisted track design, 3D simulation, track construction, and car safety mechanisms are covered by some of the experts who know roller coasters best. The goal? Pulse-pounding speed and mind-blowing disorientation through the manipulation of potential and kinetic energy and plenty of positive and negative Gs. Simon Baynham Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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