KaroroCAD: Kite & Wing Design Software

by Editor · Published May 30, 2024 · Updated May 30, 2024

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Afew months ago a friend called for launching a new Wingfoil brand so I went looking for dedicated Wing / Kite Design software. Factories have their own proprietary tools, others use Rhino, or whichever CAD they use. After much investigation I reached this great new Wing design cad tool made by David Kay , KaroroCAD.

I contacted David and he sent a link to his online demo. In no time I was able to replicate the wings I owned to see how capable the tool was. After playing 1-2 days with the online demo I was comfortable tin aiming a new design to the built based in KaroroCAD files.

The new Wing Project went on hold but told David he should do a better promotion of his Wing/Kite CAD solution, as it was hard to find. Now with an updated web we did a intro QA with David to know more about his background and how the KaroroCAD was born.

Renders above to show a a quick draft Wing to publish along, were done in 5 mins using parameters inputs from KaroroCAD Online demo but he also offers a Rhino plugin.

Below find David’s extensive work in the Kite/Wing industry. Contact him for more info via his web here.

KaroroCAD Kite & Wing development Software by David Kay

– How do you got involved in kite/wing design ?

DK> I have been involved in kiteboarding product design and manufacture since 2001. My wife Su and I have owned our own board brand and factory, worked for a number of top brands in product design and product management and we currently own a design consultancy here in Cape Town, South Africa.
Over these more than 20 years I have had the privilege to work closely with some of the most experienced and successful kite and wing designers in our industry.

– I saw you worked for some big brands, which ones and tasks done

DK> In 2011 I left New Zealand (my home country) to work for Cabrinha (the kite division of Neil Pryde) in Hong Kong, starting off as board designer I eventually became Product Manager – overseeing the complete development cycle of the product range – Kite/Boards/Control Systems and Foils.

After finishing up with Cabrinha in early 2016, Su and I (along with Pat Goodman) developed the CRX One Design foil racing class for Neil Pryde Kites.

From 2017 to 2022 I was contacting to and then employed by Airush Kiteboarding here in Cape Town as a Senior Product Engineer, working on Boards, Control Systems and Foils.

– When did you started your own software solution and why?

DK> KaroroCAD is best described as getting off to an accidental start.

KaroroCAD is written/built inside of McNeels very popular 3D modelling software Rhino3D. In early 2017 I starting using Grasshopper, a powerful rapid development programming language built into Rhino. To help extend my skill set in Grasshopper I decided to try set myself a challenging programming exercise – writing a parametric kite design program. Going into the exercise I was FULLY expecting never to actually get a working or usable piece of software, but I would gain valuable skills and experience in the process.

As it turned out the ‘glass ceiling’ I expected to hit in this process was not a reality and after a few months of work I was able to produce a set of 2D patterns that contained all the information needed by a sail loft to produce a kite.

The first kite from the code (a mid aspect 3 strut design) was produced in mid 2017 and to my surprise (shock!) it not only flew, but was a very pleasant kite to fly and use.

From 2017 to 2020 the code remained in constant development, however only as a personal tool, with me making 1-2 kites a year to test new features and just enjoy myself in a new found creative outlet.

During the lock down of 2020 KaroroCAD got a big increase in users with the development and release of www.KaroroCAD.online – the world first web enabled kite design software.

Other milestones include:

Late 2021 the first public release of the Rhino Plugin version of KaroroKITE
May 2022 KaroroWING was released as both a web app and Rhino Plugin
Oct 2022 the fully cross platform – Windows and MacOS version of KaroroCAD plugin suite of tools was made available to the public.

– Are any other designers using it for production wings/Kites?

DK> Gilion Goveia from Fluid Kiteboarding and our own development brand Lacuna Kites are the two we can currently talk about.

There are production wings coming in the next few months and number of brands in active evaluation of KaroroCAD for production use.

– You re offering a Rhino plugin and the web version, from the tests I did the online one is pretty complete

DK> The KaroroCAD suite of tools is split into two families:

Online: KaroroKITE and KaroroWING
Rhino Plugin: KaroroKITE, KaroroWING and KaroroTUNE

Both the online and plug in version are based on the same geometry engine however due to limits on computation time and 3rd party libraries with our online service provider KaroroCAD.online is less fully featured than the plugin.

All versions are in active development, with the plugin users being updated monthly and KaroroCAD.online getting a major update this month (May ’24)

– How the trial works, limitations?

DK> With KaroroCAD.online the only limitation is the 2D delivery DXF file is sent to the the KaroroCAD HQ for checking/bug spotting before being forwarded by emails to the user.

KaroroCAD Rhino plugin requires a valid license for use, we offer a free three month trial – which was chosen to match McNeels own Rhino3D trial period.

KaroroCAD plugin runs on Rhino 7 or Rhino 8, Windows or MacOS with all tools available on both platforms.

– Which are the final files delivered for final construction?

DK> For KaroroCAD.online the standard delivery file is a DXF (Drawing eXchange Format) as used by all major kite/wing factories, we can offer a conversion service if needed.

KaroroCAD plugin for Rhino exports into the active Rhino document, Rhino can export 2D and 3D data in all major formats as required.

– Costs of using plugin or web?

DK> KaroroCAD.online is free to use for up to 5 DXF downloads, after that USD$20 per download with volume discounts available.

KaroroCAD Rhino plugin suite (KaroroKITE, KaroroWING and KaroroTUNE) is USD$200 per month

DK> Thanks to Catsailingnews for taking the time to highlight our project, if anyone would like more information you can contact us through the www.karorocad.com website.