Maxsurf & Prosurf Limiations

[alimahmoud]

Hi every one.
I'm new member in this forum.
Iwould like to ask those who have experince in using Maxsurf and Prosurf, what are the limitations of these software.

Thanx.

Mahmoud

[alimahmoud]

Hello & Hi every one.
Does anybody have Prosurf's user manual?

Mahmoud

[CGN]

I don't think they have the manual online, but it has a very good tutorial (prosurf)

I like both softwares i don't see a huge diference between them
(on what i can achieved), prosurf has more import export capabilities than maxsurf, and is lower price than maxsurf for the full verison.

One of the main diference i can see is the way prosurf handles a surface, and if you are going to use maxsurf products like hydromax for example better stick with maxsurf.

besides that i think the two are very good softwares

[Mikey]

I have problems finding what is 'real' limitations for me in MaxSurf, most things can be tweaked.

Import Export is a bit limited in MaxSurf but it is not a door stopper in any way, you just need a software in between to do the translation sometimes, and if precision is set to highest, no problem.

Porcupines don't work if you have stiffness to 2 in MaxSurf.
There is no button for showing diagonals, that's really irritating since it is what I use the most.

As CGN said, if you are planning to go on with hydrostatics in the next step, then MaxSurf and HydroMax are good choices. Don't underestimate MaxSurf, it is a good programme.

Good and quick support (here at this forum) from Andrew at MaxSurf is valuable too.

Mikey

[Andrew Mason]

Mikey

When stiffness is set to two, the curve becomes linear. A straight line has no curvature, therefore zero length to the porcupine.

Andrew

[alimahmoud]

Hi CGN,
thanks alot for you valuable information.
I will try to surf Prosurf tutorial.

Mahmoud

[alimahmoud]

Hi Mikey
thank you very much for replying
hope to hear from you

Mahmoud

[alimahmoud]

Hi Andrew
waiting to hear from you.
I'm really intresting to know more about Maxsurf software for ship hull design, I do appreciate you help if providing me with articles or URL from which I can get enough information about Maxsurf as well as Prosurf if possible

thanx

Mahmoud

[Andrew Mason]

Mahmoud

I notice you are from UTM, have you logged on to the Maxsurf Academic website and downloaded the manuals, tutorials and technical papers? This should provide you with a reasonable amount of reading material.

Any other questions, please ask.

regards

Andrew

[Mikey]

When stiffness is set to two, the curve becomes linear
Yes, true, no argument there. But it would still have been good to see the shape that the control points make.

Mikey

[Mikey]

Mahmoud, this thread gives some good advice.

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?p=51438#post51438

Mikey

[alimahmoud]

Mikey

When stiffness is set to two, the curve becomes linear. A straight line has no curvature, therefore zero length to the porcupine.

Andrew
Dear Andrew and all forum members,
could you please help me to conevrt a NURBS surface into IGES format to link with any CAD/CAM system. I use to generate the NURBS surface using my on program (C++ with OPENGL).

THANKS, and waiting for you reply asap.
Mahmoud

[Andrew Mason]

I notice you are at UTM so I assume you are eligible to download a copy of Maxsurf Academic. If so, download and run the program and then create a surface with the right number of control points and correct degree in U and W directions. Then copy and paste your control points from your program or an Excel spreadsheet. Export via the IGES export function and Voila!

[alimahmoud]

Hi, dear Andrew
thank you very much for valuable information. I will do what you advice to do, any problem I will post it forward to you.

see you

Thanks alot.

[alimahmoud]

Hi,
Dear Andrew,
I did download Maxsurf Academic version, but I found difficulties to create new surface with the desired number of rows and columns along with the degree. I tried the following:

1- File - New Design
2- Surfaces - Add Surfaces (Default).

to change the properties of the surface created to the desired surface it is problem for me.

I tried to open any of the existing surface, it is ok but the problem it is not easy or no grantee to find surface with same properties (equal number of control points and same degrees).

So please can you help me to solve the problem.

thanks alot

Mahmoud

[Andrew Mason]

You need to add columns and rows manually.

Columns can be added in the profile or plan window, rows can be added in the Body Plan window.

Simply bring the window to the front and select Controls->Add Column (or Add Row). Click on the design and a column (or row) will be added.

When you have the correct number of rows and columns, go to the control points window and copy and paste your control points. To change the degree (i.e. stiffness) of your surface select the Surface->Properties dialog for your surface.

Hope this helps

Andrew

[alimahmoud]

Hi,
Dear Andrew

thank you very much, Iam very greatful to your great help, wish you all the best.

Mahmoud
UTM

[alimahmoud]

Hi,
Dear Andrew
hope you fine.
first, thank you very much for you help.
the surfaces are generated correctly.
for some purposes you may need to change the SURFACE THICKNESS, I want to make the THICKNESS about 3 mm. I noticed that the surface thickness is a portion (%) of the material that can be used. (maximum you can get thickness eqaul to 0.01). So please can you help me to make the THICKNESS about 3 mm using Maxsurf.

thanks alot

Mahmoud

[alimahmoud]

Hi
Dear Andrew,
Actually, I followed the steps mentioned in the Maxsurf user manual, but I haven't seen the effect of changing the thickness as descriped in the manual.

thanks
Mahmoud

[Andrew Mason]

Mahmoud

You can specify thickness inside or outside in whatever your current units are (mm, metres, inches etc.). You need to specify the direction of the surface normals using the Outside Arrows display, and then you need to turn on Deducted Sections in the Contours dialog to actually see the effect of the deductions.

[alimahmoud]

Hi,
dear Andrew,
I did exactly what you mentioned, but still I can't see the effect of changing the surface thickness.

brought on the Perspective Window.
Display--Arrow Outside(ON).
Display-Contours - Deducted Sections (ON).

as explain in Maxsurf User Manual.

may I made some mistake but actually, the above are the steps that I have done.

Thanks alot
Mahmoud

[Andrew Mason]

Turn Contours->sections on as well, let me know if that helps

[alimahmoud]

Dear Andrew,
no change in the surface thickness even turn the cotours -> Sections (ON) beside Edges and Deducted Sections.

thanks alot
Mahmoud