Lessons in CAD design

[Willallison]

I know you guys have covered a lot of this in other threads, but I'm a particularly SLOW learner!

I need some step by step instructions on designing a boat with CAD. (Any one written a book on the subject?...)

1st bit's easy - produce a hull shape using a surface fairing type program. I assume most would do the transom here too - but what about the deck? And if so do you simply deck the whole thing over then delete sections as necessary for things like cockpit / superstructure etc in a general purpose CAD program? And what about bulkheads, cabins etc - are these produced in the marine software or CAD?

Next you export into a CAD program. Lines, sections for construction details, profile and plan views for arrangements and so on, are exported as 2D dxf's and then all the detail is added in the CAD program.
But for things like construction detail this means you would have to re-produce all the details in each 'drawing' - much the same as you would if you were drawing by hand, which introduces a greater possibilty for error.
Or would you export the hull surface as a 3D model (is dxf wireframe or dxf mesh best?) and produce a complete 3D model of the boat - right down to the 'furniture'? In this case, 2D construction drawings can (I assume?) be taken straight from this model.

No doubt everyone has their own way of doing things - and I'd love to hear them all. I s'pose it depends which software you use. Those using Rhino probably do the whole thing in that. I'm currently using an old version of Multisurf and AutoCAD.
Any and all suggestions welcome.......but be warned for each of you answers I will probably have five questions!!

In shipyards, this is accomplished with systems that integrate (one software package, like TRIBON) or interface (AutoCAD/ShipConstructor) the systems so that the information can be translated effectively. In AutoCAD based systems, this is done with XREFs so that details can be developed once and imported into other models as needed, and with Paperspace, which allows 2D production drawings. It is possible to homebrew a system like this, but requires some thought.

Go to www.albacoreresearch.com to look at how ShipConstructor handles this.

[BrettM]

Will,

There is no one way to do it and many do it different ways for each project.

I use maxsurf, rhino, and autocad. Everything eventually gets to autocad (2D) as the presentation is better (for me).

3D models are time consuming and sure they give some good information, they can sometimes give too much. Especially with a builder that likes to "Do it their own way". Too much detail is often a waste of time. In the end it is the piece of paper (if we ignore cnc) that is inteprets the idea so that it can be built and that is where you should aim.

Probably confused you...
Brett

[Dim]

It can will help, Will, a little?
See my next posts.
Good luck.
Dim.

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