French curve
Swooping line guide
A French curve is a flat drafting template with smoothly flowing curved edges, used to draw curves that can't be made with a compass.
The tool typically has several different curve profiles along its edges, allowing drafters, designers, and artists to trace arcs and S-curves of varying radii: She reached for a French curve to finish the neckline of the pattern.
Curved line segment
- bendCurve or flex
- contourBounding line of shape
- radiusCenter-to-perimeter distance
- concaveCurving inward, not outward
convex · ellipse · parabola · spiral · sweep · undulation · inflection · ogee
Preset pattern for reproduction
- stencilCutout pattern for painting
- guideLeader or instruction book
- T-squareRight-angled drawing guide
- compassDevice showing cardinal directions
protractor · ruler · straightedge · triangle · scale · vellum · tracing paper · drafting table
Mathematical curve formula
- splineFlexible strip for drafting
- vectorQuantity with direction
- CADTechnical drawing technology
- graphic designArranging images and text
typography · letterform · lofting · industrial design · product design · rendering · sketch · freeform
Capable of being molded
- acrylicSynthetic resin or fiber
- transparentAllowing light through
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- notchV-shaped incision
graduated · handheld · set · instrument · manual · analog · vintage · professional
arc
Curved line segment
concave · convex · ellipse · parabola · spiral · sweep · undulation · inflection · ogee · sinuous
template
Preset pattern for reproduction
compass · protractor · ruler · straightedge · triangle · scale · vellum · tracing paper · drafting table · technical drawing
bezier
Mathematical curve formula
graphic design · typography · letterform · lofting · industrial design · product design · rendering · sketch · freeform · streamline
plastic
Capable of being molded
- acrylicSynthetic resin or fiber
- transparentAllowing light through
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
notch · graduated · handheld · set · instrument · manual · analog · vintage · professional · studio
- curvesarc, curves, curls, curl, bend
- curved shapescrescent, arc, horseshoe, parabola, bend
- drafting toolscompass, T-square, protractor, triangle, ruler
- draftingblueprint, blueprints, technical drawings, dimensions, engineering drawing
- plotting toolsgraph paper, ruler, compass, protractor, spreadsheet
French curvestraightedge
Line-drawing tool
straight edge · ruler · T-square · triangle · set square