Ken Stillman has just brought out a new website with a nifty programme on it, http://balloonmaster.com/balloon/click_calc_.html

Great tool Graham - you can even practise colours and designs on it

Pam
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I really like the principle and being able to work out designs is briliant, but there is  a couple of  problems it does not state the height to width ratio it is calculated on, or allow you to enter the height you require.

Another thing is that it does not state what the arch width is (feet yards) I would guess it is feet but it does not say.

And finally the sizes used for the balloons would rarely be used as for instance a decorator would not normally fully inflate a 5" to 5" as it would be to fragile more likely to be 4.5 and an 11" would be inflated to 10" this increases the number of balloons needed (it would be good if you could enter the size of balloon you wanted to use).

Not a problem but It would nice to see the name/code of the colours.

Reading this back it feels like a moan it is not meant to be as I really like the idea, just feel it needs a few tweaks.

Roger

Ken did put the height to length ratio equation on balloon HQ, If you email him I'm sure he would love to hear from you as I think this is a work in progress project and he's looking to iron out all the little wrinkles.

Thanks Graham I will have a look on bhq I expect people far more qualified than me are working with Ken.

For those that don't know the formulas used to work out the balloons for a spiral arch this may help.

Balloon Arch Length Formula

1. If the balloon arch is wider than it is tall:
HEIGHT + WIDTH = APPROXIMATE TOTAL LENGTH
Example Height 6' +Width 10' = 16'


2.  If the balloon arch height and width are about the same:
1.5(HEIGHT) + WIDTH = APPROXIMATE TOTAL LENGTH
Example Height 6'(x1.5=9') +Width 6' = 15'


3.  If the balloon arch is taller than it is wide:
2(HEIGHT) + WIDTH = APPROXIMATE TOTAL LENGTH
Example Height 10'(x2=20') + Width 6' = 26'

Balloons per foot very aprox

size in inches---------balloons per foot 4 balloon cluster
3--------------------   20.2
4--------------------     15
5--------------------   12
6--------------------   10
7--------------------   8.5
8--------------------   7.5
9--------------------   6.5
10--------------------   6
11--------------------   5.5
12--------------------   5
13--------------------   4.7
14--------------------   4.3
15--------------------   4
16--------------------   3.8

I looked at it too and wondered about that stuff but not as well as Roger.  The other thought I had is that nowadays we are taught to do our arches with the spiral reversed in the middle rather than continuing in the same direction.  Not sure how easy it would be but perhaps they could make it so you can do each side in reverse if you like.

Not all patterns available reverse, but I have to agree for the smaller spiral arch reversing in the centre does look the business!

Not really looked that closely at the site to answer any of the questions but think anything is good if it gets conversation going about it. Thought it was a bit of fun personally on first look. Will be able to look more closely when I get time next week.

As a side has anyone registered and had problems opening the princess? cant open on my computer, wondered if I needed a certain program?

Pam
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