Starfire
09-04-2020, 04:20 PM
So I've been messing around with an idea for an extended tail for a while now. Solely theoretical, since I don't have the resources to build it currently. I started by thinking about the way that dolphins & whales swim and trying to duplicate the mechanics behind that, after all why re-invent the wheel.
I was thinking short rigid sections that are hinged together with a limited angle of movement between each section (the vertebra), so that the tail will flex in a natural seeming manner when the wearer kicks, with something that will pull and/or push the 'vertebra' back to a straight/neutral position when there is no other forces acting on it. Personally one of my pet peeves it seeing a big bend at the knees when someone is swimming in a tail, so I was also thinking of something to inhibit bending the knees too much, possibly just something light that adds only a little pressure, but can still bend past it, so the swimmer can feel when the should stop bending, alternatively something that prevents the swimmer bending their knees past that point. needless to say, this is a tail designed to always have someone present to help in cases of difficulty. I'm also thinking of padding out around the knees to create a smooth taper from hip to toe, either built into the tail, or strapped on before the tail is put on, I can test that idea on the fabric tail I'm saving to make atm, at least. :lol:
Would love to hear anyone's thoughts on my ideas and any feedback from anyone who has used or built an extended tail before (since I've done neither).
I was thinking short rigid sections that are hinged together with a limited angle of movement between each section (the vertebra), so that the tail will flex in a natural seeming manner when the wearer kicks, with something that will pull and/or push the 'vertebra' back to a straight/neutral position when there is no other forces acting on it. Personally one of my pet peeves it seeing a big bend at the knees when someone is swimming in a tail, so I was also thinking of something to inhibit bending the knees too much, possibly just something light that adds only a little pressure, but can still bend past it, so the swimmer can feel when the should stop bending, alternatively something that prevents the swimmer bending their knees past that point. needless to say, this is a tail designed to always have someone present to help in cases of difficulty. I'm also thinking of padding out around the knees to create a smooth taper from hip to toe, either built into the tail, or strapped on before the tail is put on, I can test that idea on the fabric tail I'm saving to make atm, at least. :lol:
Would love to hear anyone's thoughts on my ideas and any feedback from anyone who has used or built an extended tail before (since I've done neither).