maxsurf package!

[KRL]

Can the maxsurf package be used during the fabrication phase as in to have the aluminium cutting done and to have the frames designed? Or once the hull is designed one would need a 3d software such as solidworks?

Also, I am new to hull design (motor fastish boat) and would like to ask if anyone could recommend any good books.

One last thing has anyone had maxsurf training when buying the software. Is it usefull in term of hull design?

Thanks

[MikeJohns]

It's usual to export the developed panels from MS to a CAD package for nesting and NC output.

As for your other comments, you need to go a bit slower and develop your design in consultation, either free on the open forum or privately with one of us.

Perhaps a good starter is 'How to design a boat' by John Teale.

[ACuttle]

Originally Posted by KRL

Can the maxsurf package be used during the fabrication phase as in to have the aluminium cutting done and to have the frames designed? Or once the hull is designed one would need a 3d software such as solidworks?

Maxsurf can produce a faired hull and take off sections or a 3D hull form you can use in another 2D/3D package. Though solidworks is good for structure it's a pretty steep learning curve to go straight into, it's also very expensive just for a single project. You'd likely be better off in 2D with something like ZWcad (similar to autocad but much more reasonably priced) or autocad LT.

Originally Posted by KRL

One last thing has anyone had maxsurf training when buying the software. Is it usefull in term of hull design?

That depends on your experience, and training in the software isn't going to train you how to design a hull. If you have a decent computer-head on your shoulders then you'd likely be able to get the basics out of Maxsurf without too much bother.

Maxsurf is well enough used so that there are a decent number of tutorials out there on the web with some googling.

If you very new to all this then have a good research and read though before moving on anything, it's very easy for software charges to rack up.

(And ask lots of questions).

[Andrew Mason]

Maxsurf does not directly generate parts for production of steel or aluminium vessels, but its companion product Workshop does. For smaller vessels the Workshop parts can be detailed in a 2D or 3D drafting package, for larger vessels we recommend ShipConstructor for the downstream production detailing

[KRL]

Thanks Andrew. I have never used workshop before. So basically once the hull is desgined, workshop can be used to design the hull structure and produce detailed drawing for manufacture? I am talking about 15 metres boats not ships.

[Andrew Mason]

No, Workshop parts still need additional detailing in downstream CAD packages. Workshop is a parametric parts generator that quickly creates the part outlines based on their parametric definition, but typically these need to be exported to other software for further detailing.