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Unread 10-01-2012, 13:24
Dan.Tyler Dan.Tyler is offline
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Re: Ball Trajectory Planning

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom I View Post
I think the general agreement by most is that the math is VERY complex if you include all the contributing factors, but in reality it's not that important in the long run. I think teams should definitely put thought into the trajectory of their throwers, but anything beyond simple kinematic equations is going to be wasted effort. I think the quote from Ian Curtis put it best,

Rather than worry about every little detail that could potentially throw off a throw, people need to realize that this game, by it's nature, is going to be full of variables. Heck, the balls are going to get sliced up, no doubt, so that right there is going to throw off any calculations of drag. The best thing to do is to do basic calculations to get a good idea, then build a shooter that is consistent, and try to get as accurate as you can but accept the fact that there will always be percent error. The old expression goes "measure with a micrometer, mark with chalk, cut with an ax."
I'd have to fervently agree with the sentiment here.

But, some people still like to do the math. So I thought I'd hand over a few more tidbits of information like the word "boundary layer" to open a world to as much math as they could possibly want (and the realization that all the math in the world can't describe how air behaves)
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