Shape of Parachute

[donutsandcupcakes]

As of now my team is using octagon shaped parachutes with 8 chords, but it doesn't open properly or something wrong always happens. I have seen other parachute designs and they seem to go like an umbrella by that I mean intead of having like a hemisphere their's opens up and look like an umbrella. Could someone suggest how we could make that shape in our parachute, and if we should do 16 chords/ strings instead of 8? Any suggestions would be helpful:)

[megrimlockawesom]

I would reccomend a circle shape in favor of others

[anandymous]

I would reccomend a circle shape in favor of others

How would one make that accurately though?

[CookiePie1]

instead of cutting around the circle, you can fold your material multiple times around a center point and then cut at your desired radius. Like, you'd fold it in half, then in half the other way and so on.

[donutsandcupcakes]

Thanks everyone for your response, and another question if i go for the bigger parachutes then should i have 16 chords/strings?

[CookiePie1]

i mean, it kinda depends on how big the parachute is, but yes i think it might be beneficial to go for more strings