ShipConstructor releases new software

ShipConstructor Software Inc. (SSI), developer of the leading AutoCAD-based 3D product modeling and production planning software suite ShipConstructor, has released their latest software version ?ShipConstructor 2006?.

Their ?Database Driven Relational Object Model? (DDROM), provides a quantum leap in the design for production process. ShipConstructor?s DDROM gives flexibility and control by managing complex interactions between associated parts as well as creating transparency and collaboration in the shipbuilding process. It combines the power of a relational database with parametric functionality which the company claims is an industry first. These benefits are raising the bar for the efficiencies that can be achieved with shipbuilding software and is consistent with ShipConstructor?s philosophy of being intuitive and easy to use.

“With DDROM, you can make your parts ?intelligent;? we call them ?SmartParts,? because they automatically react to design changes of adjacent parts or pre-defined standards, updating themselves as well as the production drawings,” said Darren Larkins, chief software architect. “The best thing about the SmartParts is that there is absolutely no manual programming required, because you are using standard AutoCAD drafting techniques while the smartness is automatically recorded and executed in the database. All geometry is now stored in the database, which enables innovative features such as one-click part definition, the ability to design once and reuse, as well as quick and easy changes on the spot,” Larkins said.

Dealing with design changes is always a challenge. ShipConstructor 2006 now makes it easier to deal with changes – without having to make hundreds of small adjustments throughout the product model. With DDROM, all related 3D model drawings update as well as all production drawings containing the changed area. This can save thousands of tedious and very time-consuming modifications and it prevents out-of-date production documentation being used.

Being able to design a part once and reuse the core definition many times throughout the product model is also a very unique feature. With DDROM, the user can simply design one frame and replicate the geometry to the other frames, only having to exchange the hull trace with a click of the mouse. On a large vessel, the time and cost saved is substantial. Best of all, the parts “know” that they are related and you can change them all by changing one. It is even possible to get a head start on it before final class approval, knowing that any changes are easily incorporated into the production detail model.

“With ShipConstructor 2006, we are also introducing numerous new features for all ShipConstructor modules, such as Pipe, HVAC, Equipment, Penetrations, etc.,” said Jason Paterson, senior software developer. “We are also introducing an Application Programming Interface (API), which permits secure and stable access to the ShipConstructor database. It is the same API we ShipConstructor developers are using.”