arches, vaults, domes -- designing and planning

[Greg Corning <cogre@xxxxxxxx>]

How do I proceed in planning an arched gate or window in
a stone wall? Is it as simple as knowing the diameter of
the arch (assuming I'll go with the semi-circle) and the
average inner widths of my available stones, and then
calculating the degrees of slope to which each member
must be cut?

I'm not interested in the details of scaffolding or
support, etc. Right now I just want to know how to
plan -- the number of stones required, the shape to
which they must be cut, and so on.

Refer me to a good book if you can. Then -- how can one
extend this knowledge to design of vaults or domes?

     Thank you.