help and notes

picture hanging measurements
picture hanging measurements
step 1: decide overall setup
  • complete Section 1 overall wall setup, to document layout parameters: input the height of your chosen horizontal alignment, i.e. A. mid-line (eyeline), B. top edges or C. lower edges aligned (measurement results are provided for each of these options in a table in Section 3) and input width of wall or section of wall, and the number of works on the wall or section
step 2: determine horizontal spacing
  • determine horizontal spacing in Section 2. The widths of all works (ie. work positions) need to be entered. If your hanging will include multiple frames vertically in a single work position use the width of the widest work as that work position's horizontal width
  • make sure to press tab or enter key when last data item in a section is entered to ensure result tables will update
  • results show main measurements and provide i) an even spacing distance which includes first/end spaces as well as inter-work spaces; and ii) calculated even first and end spaces with a specified inter-work distance; or iii) calculated even inter-work space with specified first / end distance; ie.
    for symmetrical layouts with first/end spaces different from inter-work spaces:
    • ii) set your desired inter-work spacing and read the required even first/end space or
    • iii) set a horizontal first / end space and read the resultant even inter-work space;
    • note the initial calculations are based on zero (0). Zero might be good as a first/end space if you want a group to fill a section defined by first and last works' outer frame edges (you may need to adjust the section width). But for inter-work spacing a distance is usually required
step 3: install works
  • use Section 3 Individual work calculations for each work to obtain both vertical and horizontal hanging measurements. Input all information required
  • drop to fastener will be either: distance from frame top to taught hanging wire, or to inside top of D-rings where the hook would sit (if height of two fasteners is uneven just do two drop calculations)
  • include your set 'first / end space' or calculated 'even inter-work space with set first / end space', or use any arbitrary spacing you desire (eg. if uneven or specified spacing is required)
  • finally expand the appropriate table tab for the alignment method chosen to see the correct results. For each work repeat data entry in Section 3. Note that one section of wall may use more than one alignment method, e.g. if you want two rows of works with one top aligned and the other lower aligned. If so, I recommend calculating rows in separate operations using the pdf template to record relevant measurements
  • hang each work one by one according to the calculated measurements; ensure each work is hanging horizontal with a level before proceeding
  • use "AC" clear data button to delete your entries in the app, exiting page or app will also clear all data
step 1: decide alignment height
  • first, enter the chosen alignment height for a work in the Step 1 field 'alignment height'. That is, decide whether you wish the top, middle or lower edge to be at a specified height. Works in a clustered group may use different alignments. Other fields in Step 1 and Step 2 of the form are not required
step 2: install works
  • complete Step 3 fields for each individual work. Enter relevant distance to the previous work/edge if any (it may be zero for the first work or an arbitrary distance) and other Step 3 work measurements (width, height, drops and adjustments). Choose the correct alignment table corresponding to your chosen alignment and read out fastener locations
  • you might also use the calculator to determine the location of the group and/or its distance to the previous or next edge. One way to do this is to treat the whole group as a single work and use Step 2 to determine horizontal distances. To adjust a group's location, or the location of components within a group the 'golden ratio' can be useful - scratch pad has phi built-in to help with that
  • make sure to press tab or enter key when last data item in a section is entered to ensure result tables will update
  • starting at one side, hang works one at a time repeating the process for each work. Ensure each work is hanging horizontal with a level before proceeding
  • such groups are best designed before hanging; and with careful planning fastener locations can be determined in advance of hanging using a plan, eg. pdf template
  • use "AC" clear data button to delete your entries in the app, exiting page or app will also clear all data
notes
  • use buttons like a calculator, or math expressions can be entered directly into the result area by clicking/tapping it and using a keyboard (the area has multiple lines for long expressions), then when ready press blue = button
  • hint: you can also enter your measurements or calculations into the temporary notes area and then copy and paste them into the result area. This is useful to keep track of, or reuse, your measurements and calculations
  • calculator uses mathjs library and can parse and evaluate expressions using many units and constants, eg. feet, inch, m, cm, mm, kg, lb, degF, degC, mean, std, pi, phi, sum, sqrt, ^, %, !, e, trigonometric, bin, hex, etc. For more information: mathjs.org units
  • order of operations:
    • parentheses
    • exponents
    • multiplication and division
    • addition and subtraction
    • same precedence (like * and /) are computed from left to right
  • usage examples include:
    • calculate the sum of lengths or heights: sum(first,second,third,...) with no final comma and a closing parenthesis needs to be added;
    • do basic picture hanging calculations such as: alignment_height+(picture_height/2)-drop_to_fastener for mid-line alignment height, or sum(alignment_height,picture_height/2,-drop_to_fastener);
    • find the longer 'golden ratio' length, eg. to locate a mid-point for an off-center work or group in a wall section, enter: wall_length/phi; or for any height or width length/phi
    • determine the location on a floor at 90° from a wall point, calculate the hypotenuse side of a right angle triangle enter sqrt(first^2+second^2) a closing parenthesis needs to be added;
    • conversions for hardware, wires etc. use to, eg. convert feet/inches to mm enter #inch to mm or #feet +#inch to mm, or #kg to lb
  • decimal calculations done in javascript sometimes produce results with many decimal places - these inaccuracies can be ignored, or results rounded manually
  • temporary notes will be cleared on exiting page or app

PDF notes template

  • PDF template can be used as a background in your notes app (eg. GoodNotes© etc) so you can plan ahead, or using a split screen scribble measurements and results alongside the hangcalc app
app information
  • this is a 'progressive web app' only using javascript. In your mobile browser, e.g. Chrome, use 'Add to Home' or in iOS 'Add to Home Screen' and install to use HangCalc as an app anywhere
  • after an update you may need to clear browser cache and re-add the app to your Home Screen
  • known issues:
    • on iPad if keyboard fails to appear restarting the device seems to fix it
    • when installed on opening it may appear as a blank screen, just close app and restart

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