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Soap Carving - Pls Help!


Meas

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Hi,

 

I just learned about this forum dedicated to Canadian students (before I was using SDN Forum) so I am really looking forward to your responses! I am having lots of problems making measurement on the soap, but this is actually a initial step is actually a very important one so I am really worried. From reading lots of threads here, taking the shiney layer off the ruler and using the blade as opposed to a pencil/blade seem like the best strategies.

 

My main concern is measuring the middle section. For example, in IQ publication questions, most of them ask for a 5mm deep (when viewing the soap on the side) part to be carved out in the middle section of the soap. How do you make this 5mm measurement? At first, I wrapped the ruler around the soap & mark where the 5mm would be but I later realized that would be wrong because the side view shows a 5mm deep line that is straight not curved.

 

Would it be correct if i put the soap straight on the table & put a mark on either side of the longitudinal line (a mark that is 5mm away from the centerline)? I would know that the width would be 10mm but don't know if it would be 5mm deep.

 

Ahh...I am getting very confused as to how to measure this middle section that is 5mm deep! Any responses would be highly appreciated!!!! THANKS!

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I used this method before but I thought this will not be the best one because I run the risk of drawing longitudinal lines (which form a groove with a blade) on surfaces that are not supposed to be carved out.

 

Also, when drawing longitudinal lines, I always have trouble making it straight. The book says doing this free-hand is best but I don't see any difference!

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If you "carve" your lines using the tip of the pencil you will get pretty good accuracy after a bit of practice (use a really sharp pencil). Also don't even consider drawing your lines free handed, I dont get why they suggest it. The way everyone does it is by laying the soap and pencil on the table, lineing up the pencil with the line you drew on the end of the soap, and drawing the pencil across the table (along the longitutidnal of the soap) in one swift motion. Gives you a perfectly straight line every time.

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Thanks for all your replies! I guessed that I just need to practice more!

 

widedentist: I think you mentioned on the other thread that you bought topstar. Did you just buy the regular $60.00 software or did you also buy the $15 model viewer? Also, does it only provide 20 questions or does it also provide videos of how to carve difficult shapes like triangles?

 

The online description says that it provides 'evaluation tools' and 'precise scoring system' but how can they possibly evaluate what we carve at home?

 

Hope to hear from you soon. I've been very worried b/c I am still carving very poorly even after practicing 3 packs of soap already :(

 

Your advices will be highly appreciated! Thanks!

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Meas, I bought the regular part for $60. The scoring system has helped me since it's showed me the different parts of the carving and what to look for in each one. But you're right there's no way for them to evaluate what you have carved at home, you have to learn to judge yourself.

 

I was talking to my dentist about the carving and he was telling me self evaluation for the carving translated well into actual dentistry since after 4 yrs of dental school there's nobody looking over your shoulder anymore to tell you if you did a good job at putting in that filling or not.

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Thanks uwodent2014! Since I haven't improved much from carving 3 packs already, I am still hoping to get a tutor in Vancouver to give me some guidance and tips!

 

Thanks for your help :)

 

 

Meas, I bought the regular part for $60. The scoring system has helped me since it's showed me the different parts of the carving and what to look for in each one. But you're right there's no way for them to evaluate what you have carved at home, you have to learn to judge yourself.

 

I was talking to my dentist about the carving and he was telling me self evaluation for the carving translated well into actual dentistry since after 4 yrs of dental school there's nobody looking over your shoulder anymore to tell you if you did a good job at putting in that filling or not.

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