Best Free or Low Cost Marine Design Software? (2006)

Ideas?

Hi Steve,

No specific ideas, as I've never had actual holes in the IGES file, if that's what you mean.

Can you post the IGES file in question or send it to me at:
Chris at wedgesail dot com

I'll drop it in my computer and give you the best guess scenario based on my black hole of vast knowledge on Rhino stuff ;-)

I have seen sections of IGES files out near the ends of rather slender panels, and those that have a good deal of allowable twist, where the otherwise single IGES surface breaks into a grouping of 3 to 5 extra, tiny surfaces to describe the ends of the larger surface. The Curve From Edges command does not fully integrate those tiny surfaces, so you have to go way into zoom mode to get them to conform.

The attachment shows a collection of the tiny dudes in cyan.

Hey, the tunnel flats skiff design that you posted at FreeShip was a very nice effort. I see real potential in that form once a couple of details are worked through in a scale model, perhaps. Nice work, Steve.

Your work is really taking you to new places.

Chris

 

On the way.

Thank you kindly...it was actually in response to a thread here. It would need some testing to get the tunnel to flow right and the back sponsons to support the motor so the A** end isn't dragging too much. With the prop in the tunnel and enought draft to keep it wet, I was thinking that a mesh guard along the bottom of the tunnel would allow water through but help protect the prop from nasties. You could get it high and dry that way and still keep it intact.

Steve

 

Export from Rhino

Say, I downloaded FreeShip too, and like it a lot. Kudos to Martijn!

I write software in Delphi as well, but alas only have Delphi 5 and it appears it is written in Delphi 7...very interesting and well written stuff. It would only take me a few years to get up to speed.....

Being a Scow sailor I wish it could do heeled hydrostatics and resistance, but that seems to be on the list too.

I did read the help file, and wrote this VBscript for export from Rhino to FreeShip. Try it out, I had some success and some unhappiness.

Read the FreeShip PDF manual, page 17 (Also very nice- the best I've seen EVER for free software....) for what FreeShip expects from you in Rhino- my script will write the file no problem.

Adjust the closed curve seams to the same end!

 

I am looking to make some of my line drawings that I've made when I'm bored into actual 3D designs. They're all high performance sailboats. I assume everyone here will agree that free!ship is my best bet? I want it to be fairly easy to use and learn, it's really just something for me to play around with.

 

Yes, freeship is fun.
And it's capability per dollar ratio has to be the best of any marine design software.
Coordinates of your design's sections can be imported in a txt file to create markers. And then freeship makes a mesh that approximates your design. If you've been playing with it a few days you probably already know this.

 

holes in Rhino?

Real Holes or simply Rhinos not so great graphics capabilities? If the holes are simply graphics try joining the two surfaces and then unjoin them again. This accomplishes the visual part. If there are genuine gaps between surfaces I can't help.

 

Hi, this link is interesting with the topic:

http://free-cad-search-engine-swicki.eurekster.com/free ship design hull software/

 

lewisboats, are they actually holes in or between the surfaces? Or does it look like there are jagged gaps between surfaces when you shade the model? If it is the latter, go to Tools -> Options -> Mesh and dial up the mesh quality.

There is some good info on mesh settings in the help under "Document Properties Mesh Settings"

 

In Rhino, try Joining the surfaces to apolysurface, the ShowEdges, "naked egdes" and the JoinEdge.

Or, MatchSrf (without Join).

 

Continued at http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=15298

Happy New Year to everyone!