I've been playing around with google sketchup and have figured out how to calculate the area of a complex shape like a guitar top. It's not that hard. First you need to create a 2D model. You can make your own or import a jpeg that you can trace. If you trace a jpeg you will need to assign one known dimension and sketchup will rescale the rest of the model. Then you just right click on the model and then click on "entity info". A popup will give you the area in sq ft. Eventually I'll figure out how to model in 3D. With the help of a third party add-in sketchup will also calculate volume. Here's what I have so far.
Dread : 245 sq in
OM : 226
L00 : 212 (from John Hall's mold)
Stella : 175 (from John How's generous posting
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=15768&hilitThese numbers do not include the soundhole, so subtract another ~12 sq in.
My question is how can I use this info? My initial thought was to combine this with deflection testing. For example, say my standard deflection goal for a dread sized top is .250 and a want to make a Stella which only has ~70% of the area as a dread. Should I shoot for a deflection of something closer to .350? Anyone have any thoughts or other uses for this info?
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