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Ask HN: What cool skill or project interests you, but feels out of reach?

124 points akktor | 2 comments | 09 Jun 25 12:41 UTC | HN request time: 0.578s | source

This question's for all those cool projects or skills you're secretly fascinated by, but haven't quite jumped into. Maybe you feel like you just don't have the right "brain" for it, or you're not smart enough to figure it out, or even worse, you simply have no clue how or where to even start.

The idea here is to shine a light on these hidden interests and the little (or big!) mental blocks that come with them. If you're already rocking in those specific areas – or you've been there and figured out how to get past similar hurdles – please chime in! Share some helpful resources, dish out general advice, or just give a nudge of encouragement on how to take that intimidating first step.

Let's help each other get unstuck!

1. WillAdams ◴[11 Jun 25 02:57 UTC] No.44243767[source]▶
For me, it's Bézier curves --- Freya Holmér has a wonderful video on them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvPPXbo87ds

and I've been trying to read through _METAFONT: The Program_ and https://pomax.github.io/bezierinfo/ and I keep wondering if I shouldn't just try scripting Inkscape....

I want to do a couple of different things, and not sure if they all fit in one project or no:

- implement a single line font in my current project: https://github.com/WillAdams/gcodepreview

- implement a way to convert arbitrary curves into smooth arcs (for DXFs or G2/G3 arcs for G-code)

- work up an interactive version of METAFONT/METAPOST which allows both programming and drawing

replies(1): >>44243915 #
2. leakycap ◴[11 Jun 25 03:22 UTC] No.44243915[source]▶
I found that wrapping my head around B-splines helped me finally understand how to implement routines for Bézier curves.

https://mathworld.wolfram.com/B-Spline.html

Also easier for my brain to use in practice, when implemented, than Béziers, if they can work for you.

(Edit to add - great video you linked!)