Hull Structure Basic

Design seat 2016

The Hull Structure Basic Design includes the same modules as
the Hull Structure Detail Design, except Production
Information is not included. Instead of Production
Information, the Basic Design contains the HilTop module.
 Hull Structure Basic Design

Hull Structure Basic Design (HSD1) seat overview

The Hull Structure Basic Design consists of the following modules:

- Hull Structure
- Hull Drafting
- HilTop
- Seams & Butts
- Shell Views
- Hull 2D Library
- Hullshape Import Manager
- 2D eXchanger
- 3D Export Manager
- Integration

High Level Topology (HilTop)

HiLTop is an add-on module for CADMATIC Hull and is an abbreviation of High Level Topology. Topology is a key component
in designing and modeling in CADMATIC Hull. Applying topology results in being able to do modifications with ease at a
later time. A classic example of topology is creating dependencies between construction items when modeling them.

Basic design model of a 130m RoPax ferry created with HiLTop (courtesy of Flensburger Shipyard)

The HiLTop module houses functions that add a new dimension to topology, taking the concept to a higher level and
successfully bringing great flexibility to structural ship design. The user can now set up special dependencies throughout
the ship that can be controlled and maintained from a single location. This allows the user to make massive changes to the
ship without spending countless hours on it.

High level topology is convenient especially in the basic design phase of a project because it allows gaining full control over
the basic structural layout of the ship. Changing the basic 3D model used for creating class and arrangement drawings has
never been so easy.

The two main entities that the HiLTop module introduces are known as ‘Parameters’ and ‘Reference planes’.

Parameters
Parameters are special variables that the user can define in a single table, assign unique names to and then use for creating
views and constructions everywhere in the ship. When modeling a construction, the user can now create dependencies
with these variables that can be modified at any given time. A variable can be as simple as a single number or as advanced

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 Hull Structure Basic Design

as a complex mathematical expression. The user can thus add conditions to the variables. He can even automate them by
creating dependencies between the variables as well. As a result, the user can set up an entire system where modifying just
one parameter will change every key construction in the ship while automatically taking all of the conditions into account.

Parameters and dependencies

The user is given a smart interface to work with, as it presents a list of available parameters as soon as he triggers the need
for one. A special built-in filter keeps this list clean by only presenting parameters that will be of use in the situation.
The parameter system is designed to be very open and aims to save users a lot of additional time and work.

Reference planes
The use of reference planes is an alternative method of topology. A reference plane is an “invisible” flat surface that is used
as a topological reference structure for defining plate construction. It contains user-defined properties, such as material
and thickness values, that the construction can inherit upon creation. Reference planes are stored in the hull shape
database, which makes them easily accessible from anywhere in the project.

Reference planes are commonly used when

determining the main construction of a ship.
Defining them is done via a simplified version of
the system for creating plates. This is very
beneficial to users already familiar with
CADMATIC Hull, and at the same time to new
users as well. In addition to this, reference planes
can also be created with the use of parameters to
increase flexibility even more.

Using reference planes to create the model

Because the plane of a future plate and its common properties are predetermined by its reference plane, the process of
creating a plate construction becomes a lot quicker for the detail engineer. An additional advantage is that along with the
plate construction, the associated views are also connected to their respective reference planes. This ensures that all
construction items related to reference planes and their views will follow any changes made to the reference planes at any
given time.

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 Hull Structure Basic Design

Views connected to parametric reference planes

Parameters and reference planes have two important things in common:

1. After an initial change, a recalculation of all construction items per block automatically puts everything in place.
2. Adjusting parameters and reference planes in HiLTop successfully allows control of construction in multiple blocks at
the same time, influencing the entire ship.

Using parameters and reference planes gives the user extra flexibility in the total design phase.

Grids
Another aspect that brings topology to a higher level is the new grid definition system. Grids are topological in a way similar
to parameters and reference planes; their values can be modified afterwards. With a simple recalculation of all construction
items in a block, everything is adapted to the new grid values. In addition to the existing grid functions, the new Grid
Manager allows multiple grid definitions for simultaneous use in the same projects. The grid supports more than one grid
definition in all directions, even in length, and it is possible to define completely arbitrary grids. The Grid Manager provides
the user with multiple possibilities for defining and modifying grids. As with parameters, the structural design user is
presented with a list of available grids when he triggers the need for it.

Arbitrary grid definitions can be given an additional boost in topology by linking them to reference planes. Defining such
reference planes with use of parameters results in parametric grids; a highly flexible coordinate system to which
construction items can be related.

Using the new reference planes and parameters with HiLTop, together with the other new functions in CADMATIC Hull such
as the grid definition system and the mother-child template system, makes basic design more flexible than ever before.

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