Nope the idea of the traced out pattern on white particle board did not work. It really is a matter of putting canopy on and off a few hundred times (Seems that many) to get the desired shape. I had to make sure my tracks where parallel to each other so it will make the canopy run smoother opening and closing. I have it nearly there with shape but might tweak it in a bit as after researching on the net, people say the canopy will bow out once fitted.