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Documente Profesional
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Release 4.0.0
a u t o s h i p
S ys t em s C or p or at i on
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. AutoCAD is a trademark of Autodesk Inc. All other
product names are trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks of their respective owners.
Autoship Systems Corporation cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. In addition, terms
suspected of being trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks have been appropriately
capitalized. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as a validity of any trademark, registered
trademark, or service mark.
Table of Contents i
Table of Contents
ii Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Shell Menu..................................................................... 71
Shell - Add ............................................................................................................. 72
Shell - Delete.......................................................................................................... 73
Part Menu...................................................................... 74
Part - New .............................................................................................................. 75
Part - Edit............................................................................................................... 81
Part - Delete............................................................................................................ 83
Part - Extrusion ...................................................................................................... 85
Part - Group and Zone Settings............................................................................... 89
View Menu .................................................................... 91
View - All............................................................................................................... 92
View - Body............................................................................................................ 93
View - Plan/Profile ................................................................................................. 94
View - Axonometric ............................................................................................... 95
View - Perspective .................................................................................................. 96
View - Render Parts................................................................................................ 97
View - Next Part ..................................................................................................... 98
View - Previous Part ............................................................................................... 99
View - Shell.......................................................................................................... 100
Report Menu ................................................................ 101
Report - Weights................................................................................................... 102
Report - Parts by Group ........................................................................................ 103
Report - Parts by Zone .......................................................................................... 104
Report - Parts by Type .......................................................................................... 105
Report - Clear Report............................................................................................ 106
Settings Menu .............................................................. 107
Settings - Project Details....................................................................................... 108
Settings - Units ..................................................................................................... 110
Settings - Drawing Colors..................................................................................... 111
Settings - Page Setup ............................................................................................ 113
Help Menu ................................................................... 115
Help - Contents..................................................................................................... 116
Help - About Autobuild......................................................................................... 117
iv Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents v
Table of Contents
vi Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Getting Started
This chapter introduces Autobuild and describes how to install this software
program. This chapter contains the following sections:
Introducing Autobuild
Autobuild Versions
Package Contents
Autoship Program Suite
About This Manual
System Requirements
Installing Autobuild
Introducing Autobuild
Welcome to Autobuild, the software program that gives you the capability to
easily model all internal structures for the hull forms you create in Autoship.
At a minimum, Autobuild is a powerful tool for visualizing your hull form and the
layout and relationship of all structural components.
As you will discover, Autobuild will take care of the tedious work, freeing up your
time to allow you to concentrate on the creative work. Use Autobuild to fit
members to the hull, and to each other, and to automatically generate
longitudinal stringers and associated cutouts. Autobuild keeps track of the
components you create and generates an ongoing report of weights and centers.
All internal structures you create can be exported to your CAD systems for
production drawings, or for NC cutting.
The bottom line is that Autobuild will make you more productive, and thus save
you time and money.
The fastest way to get started with Autobuild is to work through the tutorial. To
take full advantage of Autobuilds power, we strongly recommend that you take
one of our formal training courses. Contact us, or any of our international
dealers, for full particulars on our training courses.
Autobuild Versions
Autobuild is available in two versions: Autobuild (formerly Autobuild 1) and
Autobuild Pro (formerly Autobuild 2).
Autobuild is designed for smaller vessels that are less than 30 meters long.
Autobuild has the capacity for up to 150 parts.
Autobuild Pro is for larger vessels, longer than 30 meters. Autobuild Pro has no
limitation on the number of parts.
Package Contents
The content of your Autobuild package are set out below. Contact Autoship
Systems Corporation by telephone, fax or e-mail if any items are missing from
your package.
Users Manual
Autobuild program disk
hardware lock
Network Lock Driver disk (only if you bought Autobuild with a network lock)
authorization disk
Autopower Autohydro
Resistance and Hydrostatics and
Propulsion Stability
Autoship
Hull and Superstructure
Design
Autobuild Autoplate
Production of internal Hull plating and
components Shell expansion
CAD Systems
Autoship
Use Autoship to model the hull and superstructure and export this information to
Autobuild, Autopower, Autohydro and Autoplate.
Autopower
Use Autopower to perform resistance and power prediction calculations.
Autohydro
Use Autohydro to perform complete hydrostatic calculations and analysis.
Autoplate
Use Autoplate to produce fabrication information and shell expansion drawings.
Index
Directs you to the topics throughout the manual.
Autobuild Tutorial
Introduces you to many Autobuild concepts and functions, with step by step
instructions for creating the interior structure of a sample vessel.
System Requirements
The following table shows the minimum and recommended system requirements
for running Autobuild.
Minimum Recommended
CPU 486 processor Pentium processor
Memory 16 Mb (Windows 95) 32 Mb (Windows 95)
24 Mb (Windows NT) 48 Mb (Windows NT)
Free Hard Disk Space 10 Mb
Graphics 800x600 resolution, 256 1024x768 resolution
colours * 32k colours
Mouse Any Windows pointing device
* Operation is possible at 256 colours, but for rendering to function correctly 32k
colours or more are needed.
Installing Autobuild
This section describes the installation procedure for Autobuild.
Before Installation
Check the Autobuild program disk for a README.WRI file. If there is a
README.WRI file, use Windows Write to read it. This file contains the latest
comments on the installation procedure and program use.
You will see the Autobuild icon added to the AUTOSHIP folder.
General - Description
A hardware lock is a small electronic device that is installed onto the parallel port
of your computer. (Note: If you have a network hardware lock, only one lock is
used for all computers on the network. See below for details.) You need the
hardware lock in order for Autobuild to run in normal operating mode. Otherwise,
Autobuild will only run in demo mode. Keep the lock in a safe place when not in
use. As outlined in the licensing agreement, you are exclusively responsible for
the hardware lock. You may be required to purchase an additional software
license if the hardware lock is lost or stolen.
General Precautions
1. If you have bought a network hardware lock, you will have received a
separate floppy named Network Lock Driver.
2. Plug the network lock into the parallel port on one of the computers in your
network.
3. Install the network lock driver onto same computer, by running SETUP.EXE
from the Network Lock Driver disk. (If this computer has an Windows NT
operating system, be sure to install the NT lock driver, as described above.)
4. Install Autobuild onto each computer on your network, as per installation
instructions above.
Starting Autobuild
To start Autobuild, double-click the Autobuild icon.
Exiting Autobuild
To exit Autobuild, from the Autobuild Main menu bar, choose File - Exit.
Keyboard
Key Use it to
Character keys Type in names and specify values.
Arrow keys Move through menus and to move
selected points.
ENTER Accept the entry you have just made.
ALT + E Display Edit menu.
ALT + F Display File menu.
ALT + H Display Help menu.
ALT + L Display Shell menu.
ALT + P Display Part menu.
ALT + R Display Report menu.
ALT + S Display Settings menu.
ALT + V Display View menu.
F1 Displays online Help.
F5 Select the next point.
F6 Select the previous point.
F7 Select the next part.
F8 Select the previous part.
CTRL + TAB Toggle through the active Windows
programs.
Coordinate System
Autobuild uses a coordinate system aligned with the principal axes of the
ship.
File Types
Autobuild has the following file types:
Operating Overview
This section provides a brief overview of the general procedures to follow
to complete your Autobuild project, and where to look in this manual for
relevant information.
If you are new to Autobuild, we strongly recommend that you work
through the Autobuild tutorial. It provides detailed step-by-step
instructions for designing a vessels interior fittings, and introduces many
Autobuild concepts and procedures. See the Autobuild Tutorial.
An Autobuild project starts with the vessels shell, normally defining the
hull, and any superstructure and extrusion paths, exported from Autoship.
When you have completed your work with the project in Autobuild, you
can export your Autobuild project as .DXF files to CAD programs to add
final details. You can also use the Autobuild reports to provide material
and weight information.
Creating Parts
Parts are the interior fittings to the hull. In Autobuild there are several
types of parts: transverse frames, transverse floors, transverse bulkheads,
flats, longitudinals, decks and general planes. The parts are designed to be
constructed with sheet materials and extrusions.
When you have finished working in Secondary mode, you exit and return
to Primary mode by clicking the Primary Mode button.
To exit the Part Editor, it must be in Primary mode. You can choose File -
Save Part to save the changes to the current part before selecting another
part to edit, or choose File - Exit Part Editor to return to the Main
window.
Adding Extrusions
Autobuild provides a library of extrusions that you can add to and modify
to suit your needs. To access the library, use the Edit Extrusion button or
choose Part - Extrusion. For information, see Part - Extrusion in
Chapter 4, Using the Main Menu. You can also use the options in the
Part Editor Extrusion menu to create extrusions. For more information see
Part - Extrusion in Chapter 4, Using the Main Menu, and Extrusion
Menu in Chapter 7, "Editing Extrusions".
Before you apply an extrusion, you need to mark the extrusion path on the
shape. Extrusion paths on the hull are designed in Autoship, while those on
the interior parts are established in Autobuild. To apply an extrusion,
display the part in the Part Editor - Secondary mode, and use the Apply
Extrusion button. You may also need the Flip Extrusion button. For
more information, see Apply Extrusion Button and Flip Extrusion
Button in Chapter 6, Editing Parts in Secondary Mode.
Compiling Reports
As you add parts to your project, Autobuild compiles a number of reports
on the projects parts, providing information about weights, groups, zones,
and types. For more information see Report Menu in Chapter 4, Using
the Main Menu.
Main Window menu bar Main Window toolbar Graphic display area
Tilt box
Rotate box
Display Controls
The display controls for the Main window are described in the following
section.
Part Type
Buttons
Use Them To Select the type(s) of parts to be displayed in the
graphic display area.
How They Work The seven part type buttons at the bottom of the
graphic display area each represent one type of
part. To select a type of part for display, click the
corresponding button. You can have several type
buttons switched on at the same time.
To switch off a type of part from the display, click the corresponding
button so that it is switched off.
To switch on all the part type buttons, click the All button, To switch off
all the part type buttons, click the None button.
The following table shows the part type(s) that are selected when you
select a button.
How It Works To change the tilt, drag the vertical scroll bar
located at the right side of the graphic display area.
The current tilt angle, in degrees, is displayed in the
Tilt box, located at the bottom right of the Main
window.
No Zoom button
Wireframe button
Notes button
Zoom Button
Use It To Zoom in on a specific area of the current view.
No Zoom Button
Use It To Restore a zoomed view to its original setting.
Wireframe Button
Use It To Display the project with only one part highlighted at
a time.
How It Works To display the project outline, with only one part
shown, click the Wireframe button. The name of
the displayed part is shown below the graphic
display area.
To highlight the next part in the display, click the Next Part button. To
highlight the previous part in the display, click the Previous Part button.
To limit the display to specific part types, use the Part Type buttons.
To return to the full display, click the Render Parts button.
You can use Wireframe mode to select a part for editing or deletion.
How It Works To create a new part, click the New Part button.
The New Part dialog box appears.
For more information, see Part - New in Chapter 4, Using the Main
Menu.
How It Works When you click the Delete Part button, the Delete
Part dialog box appears.
For more information, see Part - Delete in Chapter 4, Using the Main
Menu.
How It Works When you click the Edit Part button, the Edit Part
dialog box appears.
For more information, see Part - Edit in Chapter 4, Using the Main
Menu.
Notes Button
Use It To Make notes to yourself about the project you are
working on.
How It Works Click the Notes button. The Notes Editor window
appears.
For more information, see File - Project Notes in Chapter 4, Using the
Main Menu.
Menu Bar
The menu bar at the top of the Autobuild Main window consists of the
File, Shell, Part, View, Report, Settings, and Help menus. These menus are
described in detail later in this chapter. All menus can be selected by either
clicking them with the mouse or by pressing the ALT key and the underlined
letter of the menu item. For example, to select the Files menu, you can
press ALT + F.
File Menu
With the File menu, you can start new projects, open
existing projects, and save your work, or export to Autoship
or CAD.
When you open the File menu, the four projects you worked on most
recently are listed near the bottom of the menu. You can open any one of
them by clicking on the name.
In the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as follows, and click
OK.
Item Entry
Project Name Type a name for the new project.
Directory Select a directory for the new project. Each project must
be in a separate directory.
To create a new directory, type the directory name.
Part Reference Select the position, in the part, from which measurements
Plane are taken.
The center line is halfway through the thickness of the
part.
The molded line is on the part surface closest to the
origin.
In the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as follows, and click
OK.
Item Entry
Length Select the unit of length for the project.
Weight Select the unit of weight for the project.
In the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as follows, and click
OK.
Item Entry
LOA Type the overall length of the project.
LBP Type the length between perpendiculars.
Beam Type the beam of the project.
Depth Type the depth of the project.
Calculate Size Do not click this button when creating a new project.
Clicking this button calculates the extents of the shell
envelope, as specified in the face file.
Weld Relief Type the distance that must be allowed at the edge of a
Radius plate to make a weld.
Length Units Units for length, as defined in the Units dialog box.
Weight Units Units for weight, as defined in the Units dialog box.
Part Alignment Part Reference Plane, as defined in the New Project
dialog box.
Groups and zones are optional. They provide two independent categories
you can set up for organizing the parts you create in your project. For
example, you can set up the groups as structural and non structural
categories, and you can set up zones as regions that include items located
in the fore and aft portions of the vessel. The preceding illustration shows
another possible organization.
If you do not assign a part to a group, Autobuild assigns the part to the
None group. Similarly, parts not assigned to a zone are assigned to the
None zone automatically.
In the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as follows, and click
OK.
Item Entry
Group To add a group to the list, click the Add button, in the New
Group dialog box that appears, type the group name (1-4 letters
long), and click OK.
To delete a group from the list, select it, and click the Delete
button.
Zone To add a zone to the list, click the Add button, in the New Zone
dialog box that appears, type the zone name (1-4 letters long),
and click OK.
To delete a zone, select it, and click the Delete button.
In the dialog box, select the directory that contains the project. Check the
bottom of the dialog box, to verify that the selected directory contains the
project you want. Then click OK.
With Autobuild, the project directory stores all the files for the project,
including the project BUILDER.INF file. Only one project can be stored in
each directory.
In the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as follows, and click
OK.
Item Entry
Drive list Select the drive for the directory.
Directory Type the name of the directory where you want the copy
Name to be stored.
Use Save Project As when you want to use an existing project as the basis
for a new project, or when you want to keep a version of your project
before extensive changes.
In the Notes window, type notes about the current Autobuild project. To
speed up the editing of your notes, from the Notes Editor menu bar, you
can choose the Edit - Cut, Edit - Copy, Edit - Paste, Edit - Find and
Edit - Replace options.
To save your notes, in the Notes Editor menu bar, choose File - Save. The
notes are stored in an ASCII text file called BNOTES.TXT, in the current
project directory.
To delete your current notes file, and start your notes again, choose File -
New. Be aware that this automatically deletes the previous note file. Only
one note file can be stored for each project.
How It Works When you choose File - Export DXF - All 3D, the
Save DXF File As dialog box appears.
To specify the name and directory of the CAD .DXF file, in the dialog box,
indicate the options you require, as follows, and click OK.
Item Entry
Directory list Select the directory for the new .DXF file.
File Name Type the name of the new file, including the .DXF
extension.
Option Description
Wire Frame Defines edges only. Typically easy to edit. Choose this
option for manufacturing purposes.
Faces Defines solid objects that can be rendered. Typically
difficult to edit. Choose this option for illustrations.
How It Works When you choose File - Export DXF - Flat, the
Select Characteristics dialog box appears.
To select the parts to export, in the dialog box, indicate the options you
require, as follows, and click OK.
Item Entry
Group To select all groups, select the All button.
To select one or more groups, in the Group list,
click on the group names, and then select the
Selected button.
Zone To select all zones, select the All button.
To select one or more zones, in the Zone list,
click on the zone names, and then select the
Selected button.
Thickness-Material list Select one thickness-material combination.
To specify the name and directory of the CAD .DXF file, in the dialog box,
indicate the options you require, as follows, and click OK.
Item Entry
Directory list Select the directory for the new .DXF file.
File Name Type the name of the new file, including the .DXF
extension.
How It Works When you choose File - Export DXF - One Part
3D, the Select Part dialog box appears.
To select the part for export, in the dialog box, indicate the options you
require, as follows, and click OK.
Item Entry
Group To select all groups, select the All button.
To select one or more groups, in the Group list, click on the
group names, and then select the Selected button.
Zone To select all zones, select the All button.
To select one or more zones, in the Zone list, click on the zone
names, and then select the Selected button.
Type Select the type of part.
Part list Select one part for export.
To specify the name and directory of the CAD .DXF file, in the dialog box,
indicate the options you require, as follows, and click OK.
Item Entry
Directory list Select the directory for the new .DXF file.
File Name Type the name of the new file, including the .DXF
extension.
Option Description
Wire Frame Defines edges only. Typically easy to edit. Choose this
option for manufacturing purposes.
Faces Defines solid objects that can be rendered. Typically
difficult to edit. Choose this option for illustrations.
To define the view you require, in the dialog box, indicate the options you
require, as follows, and click OK.
Item Entry
Orientation Select the plane of the sectional view.
Defining Point Type the position of the sectional view.
To specify the name and directory of the CAD .DXF file, in the dialog box,
indicate the options you require, as follows, and click OK.
Item Entry
Directory list Select the directory for the new .DXF file.
File Name Type the name of the new file, including the .DXF
extension.
File - Export
Autoship DRA
To specify the name and directory of the Autoship DRA file, in the dialog
box, indicate the options you require, as follows, and click OK.
Item Entry
Directory list Select the directory for the new .DRA file.
File Name Type the name of the new file, including the .DRA
extension.
You can use the .DRA file with the Auto 3D module, included in the
Autoship program, to draw the project on a plotter or printer, or export
the project to a CAD program.
File - Exit
Shell Menu
With the Shell menu, you can add envelopes, or outlines of 3D surfaces,
such as the hull superstructure.
You can also delete a shell from the project.
Shell - Add
How It Works The face file must be in the project directory. When
you choose Shell - Add, the Add Face dialog box
appears.
In the dialog box, select the face file and click OK.
Shell - Delete
How It Works When you choose Shell - Delete, the Delete Face
dialog box appears.
To delete a face file from a project, in the dialog box, select the file, and
click OK.
Note that Shell - Delete does not delete the face file, or any part files, from
the project directory. Instead, Shell - Delete deletes all references to the
face file, within the project.
Part Menu
With the Part menu, you can create new parts, edit existing parts, and
delete parts that are no longer required. You can change the extrusion
library by adding, editing and deleting extrusions. As well, you can change
your list of groups and zones.
Part - New
How It Works When you choose Part - New, the New Part dialog
box appears.
Item Entry
Name Type an identifying name for the part.
Group To specify a group for the part to belong to, select from the
list. Otherwise, the part is assigned to the None group.
Zone To specify a zone for the part to belong to, select from the
list. Otherwise, the part is assigned to the None zone.
Type Select the type of part.
Material Select a material from the list.
Sp.Gr. The specific gravity of the selected material is displayed.
Thickness Type the thickness of the part.
Defining Type the position of the part, along the axis. This may be
Point longitudinal, vertical, or transverse, depending on the type
of part you selected. It is the distance from the origin either
to the face closest to the origin (Molded Line convention), or
to the center of the plane thickness (Center Line
convention).
Limits Type the dimensions of the part, if they are different from
the displayed maximum values that fit the shell exactly. To
redisplay the maximum dimensions, click the Max button.
Do not type values that are larger than the maximum
values. The Limits dimensions vary, depending on the
orientation of the part type you select.
Shell To cut the part to fit the shell, select shell intersection.
Intersections
Extrusion To mark the cutouts for extrusions that intersect the part,
Intersections select extrusion intersection.
Item Entry
Name Type an identifying name for the general plane.
Group To specify a group for the general plane to belong to,
select from the list. Otherwise, the part is assigned to the
None group.
Zone To specify a zone for the general plane to belong to,
select from the list. Otherwise, the part is assigned to the
None zone.
Type Select General Plane.
Material Select a material from the list.
Sp.Gr. The specific gravity of the selected material is displayed.
Thickness Type the thickness of the part.
Defining Point Ignore this. Autobuild does not use it.
Limits Ignore this. Autobuild does not use it.
Shell To cut the part to fit the shell, select shell intersection.
Intersections
Extrusion To mark the cutouts for extrusions that intersect the part,
Intersections select extrusion intersection.
Use this dialog box to define three or four points that mark the extents of
the general plane. Make sure the points define a plane with an area as large
as the part you want to create.
To create a general plane, in the General Plane dialog box, indicate the
options you require, as follows, and click OK
Item Entry
1 Type the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical
coordinates of the first point that defines the plane
2 Type the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical
coordinates of the second point that defines the plane.
3 Type the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical
coordinates of the third point that defines the plane.
4 You may type the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical
coordinates of a fourth point that defines the plane.
Defined Plane View the coefficients for the equation of the plane you
have defined so far.
Equation of the plane is Ax + By + Cz + D = 0
Item Entry
Name Leave blank.
Group To specify a group for the parts to belong to, select from
the list. Otherwise, the parts are assigned to the None
group.
Zone To specify a zone for the parts to belong to, select from
the list. Otherwise, the parts are assigned to the None
zone.
Type Select the type of part.
Material Select a material from the list.
Sp.Gr. The specific gravity of the selected material is displayed.
Thickness Type the thickness of the parts.
Defining Point Leave blank.
Limits Leave blank.
Shell To cut the parts to fit the shell, select shell intersection.
Intersections
Extrusion To mark the cutouts for extrusions that intersect the parts,
Intersections select extrusion intersection.
To create multiple parts, in the Multiple Parts dialog box, indicate the
options you require, as follows, and click OK
Item Entry
Root Name Type a general name for all the parts. Each individual
part name will consist of the root name with an identifying
number.
Limits Type the dimensions of the part, if they are different from
the displayed values that fit the shell exactly. Do not type
values that are larger than the displayed values. The
Limits values vary, depending on the type of part you
select.
First Type the position of the first part along the axis. The
position is the distance from the origin either to the face
closest to the origin (Molded Line convention), or to the
center of the plane thickness (Center Line convention).
Last Type the position of the last part along the axis.
Step Type the distance between each pair of adjacent parts.
Part - Edit
How It Works When you choose Part - Edit, the Edit Part dialog
box appears.
To edit a part, in the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as
follows, and click OK.
Item Entry
Group To select all groups, select the All button.
To select one group, click the group name from the list, and
then select the Selected button.
Zone To select all zones, select the All button.
To select one zone, click the zone name from the list, and then
select the Selected button.
Type Select the type of part.
Part list The list displays all parts of the type selected, that are in the
selected groups and zones. Select the part you want to edit.
The part you selected is displayed in the Parts Editor window. For
information about using the Parts Editor, see Chapter 5, Editing Parts in
Primary Mode.
Part - Delete
How It Works When you choose Part - Delete, the Delete Part
dialog box appears.
To delete a part, in the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as
follows, and click the Delete button.
Item Entry
Group To select all groups, select the All button.
To select one group, click the group name from the list, and
then select the Selected option button.
Zone To select all zones, select the All button.
To select one zone, click the zone name from the list, and then
select the Selected button.
Type Select the type of part.
Part list The list displays all parts of the type selected, that are in the
selected groups and zones. Select the part you want to delete.
You may delete several parts before exiting. To exit from the Delete Part
dialog box, click Close.
Part - Extrusion
In the Extrusion dialog box you can choose from four options:
New - To create a new extrusion.
Edit - To edit an existing extrusion.
Copy/Edit - To copy an existing extrusion, and edit the copy.
Delete - To delete an extrusion from the library.
Item Entry
Function Select New.
Type Select the type of extrusion. This is a category that your
extrusion will belong to.
Name Type the name to be given to the extrusion you are creating.
Material Select a material from the list.
Sp.Gr. The specific gravity of the selected material is displayed.
Units The displayed value is set in the Units dialog box.
Width Type the width of the extrusion.
Height Type the height of the extrusion.
The limits of the extrusion are displayed in the Part Editor window. For
information about using the Part Editor to edit extrusions, see Chapter 7,
Editing Extrusions.
Item Entry
Function Select Edit.
In the Extrusion dialog box, indicate the options you require, as follows,
and click OK.
Item Entry
Function Select Edit.
Type Select the type of extrusion.
Select Item To Edit Select the extrusion to be edited.
The extrusion is displayed in the Part Editor window, ready for editing. For
information about using the Part Editor to edit extrusions, see Chapter 7,
Editing Extrusions.
Item Entry
Function Select Copy/Edit.
Type Select the type of extrusion.
Select Item To Copy Select the extrusion to be copied.
Name Type a name for the copy.
The copy is displayed in the Part Editor window, ready for editing. For
information about using the Part Editor to edit extrusions, see Chapter 7,
Editing Extrusions.
Item Entry
Function Select Delete.
Type Select the type of extrusion.
Select Item To Delete Select the extrusion to be deleted.
Groups and zones are optional. They provide two independent categories
you can set up for organizing the parts you create in your project. For
example, you can set up the groups as structural and non structural
categories, and you can set up zones as regions that include items located
in the fore and aft portions of the vessel. The preceding illustration shows
another possible organization.
Autobuild uses the None group for all parts not assigned to a group.
Similarly the None zone is for all parts not assigned to a zone.
In the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as follows, and click
OK.
Item Entry
Group To add a group to the list, click the Add button. In the New
Group dialog box that appears, type the group name, and click
OK.
To delete a group from the list, select it, and click the Delete
button.
Zone To add a zone to the list, click the Add button. In the New Zone
dialog box that appears, type the zone name, and click OK.
To delete a zone, select it, and click the Delete button.
View Menu
With the View menu, you can select the Main window view
from one of the following options:
All
Body
Plan/Profile
Axonometric
Perspective
You can toggle between Render Parts mode and Wireframe mode in the
Main window. In Wireframe mode you can display the next part or the
previous part.
You also have the option of including the shell in the drawing.
View - All
How It Works When you choose View - All, the display in the
Main window changes to the plan, profile, body and
perspective views. You can see all four views
simultaneously.
The following illustration shows the Main window in All views.
View - Body
How It Works When you choose View - Body, the display in the
Main window changes to the fore and aft body
views.
The following illustration shows the Main window in Body view.
View - Plan/Profile
View - Axonometric
View - Perspective
How It Works When you choose View - Next Part, the next part is
displayed in the Main window, in Wireframe mode.
The sequence for displaying the parts starts with the
part farthest away, and finishes with the closest part.
You can choose View - Next Part when you are in Render Parts mode or
Wireframe mode.
To change to Render Parts mode, choose View - Render Parts or click
the Render Parts button.
View - Shell
How It Works When you choose View - Shell, the shell outline is
included in the project drawing in the Main window.
To omit the shell from the drawing, deselect it by choosing View - Shell
again.
Report Menu
With the Report menu, you can generate and view reports on the projects
parts, providing information about weights, groups, zones, and types.
Alternatively you can clear the existing reports.
Each time you request a report, it is added to the end of the existing report.
To delete the existing reports, choose Report - Clear Report.
The reports, stored in temporary workspace while Autobuild is running,
can be pasted into your current Microsoft Word document by means of a
DDE link, saved to the Windows clipboard, or printed.
When you display the existing reports, you have the following options:
Report - Weights
How It Works When you choose Report - Weights, the Parts List
is generated, and added to the end of any existing
reports.
When you display the report(s), you can choose the options described in
the Report Menu section.
To delete the existing reports, choose View - Clear Report.
Settings Menu
With the Settings menu, you can change the project settings for the overall
dimensions, units of measurement, display colors for the graphic display
area, as well as page setup, fonts, and printer settings for the reports.
To change the dimensions, in the dialog box, indicate the options you
require, as follows, and click OK.
Item Entry
LOA Type the overall length of the project.
LBP Type the length between perpendiculars.
Beam Type the beam of the project.
Depth Type the depth of the project.
Calculate Size Click this button to calculate the extents of the shell
envelope, as specified in the face file.
Weld Relief Radius Type the radius of the cutouts that are to be made
where part edges cross plate seams.
Length Units Units for length, as defined in the Units dialog box.
Weight Units Units for weight, as defined in the Units dialog box.
Part Alignment Part Reference Plane, as defined in the New Project
dialog box.
Note that if your project includes a shell, the project dimensions are defined
by the shell dimensions, and you cannot change them with the Project
Settings dialog box.
Settings - Units
How It Works When you choose Settings - Units, the Units dialog
box appears.
To change the units, in the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as
follows, and click OK.
Item Entry
Length Select a unit of length.
Weight Select a unit of weight.
If you change units after starting the project, all previously defined
measurements are converted to the new units.
In the dialog box, to change the display color for an element, select the
element, and then click the color you want for displaying the element.
Repeat for all elements that need their display color changed.
To display all elements in their default colors, click the Default button.
When you have finished making changes, click Save and Exit.
Item Entry
Element Select an element.
Colors Select the color you want Autobuild to use to display the
selected element.
Default Click to return all elements to their default color settings.
How It Works When you choose Settings - Page Setup, the Page
Setup dialog box appears.
To change the page setup for the reports, in the dialog box, indicate the
options you require, as follows, and click OK.
Item Entry
Units Select a unit for measuring the margins.
Margins Type the size of each margin To view the change in
the Page Layout box, press ENTER, or click the
mouse button.
Page Layout box Displays text formatted with the current margin
settings.
Paper Size Displays the paper size defined in the Print Setup
dialog box.
Font Displays the font defined in the Font dialog box.
The following table shows the action for each button in the dialog box.
Button Action
Font Displays the Font dialog box so you can select a font
for the reports.
Printer Setup Displays the Windows Print Setup dialog box so you
can set the printer, paper size and source, page
orientation, and other printer options.
Cancel Closes the dialog box, without saving the changes.
OK Saves the new settings and closes the dialog box.
Help Menu
With the Help menu, you can access Autobuilds online Help and get more
information about Autobuild. The online Help works like any Windows
Help file.
To view a tutorial about using Windows online Help, in the Windows
Program Manager, choose the menu option Help - How To Use Help
Windows Tutorial.
Help - Contents
How It Works When you choose Help - Contents, the online Help
for Autobuild is displayed. Alternatively, you can
display online Help from anywhere in Autobuild by
pressing F1.
This chapter tells you how to operate Autobuilds Part Editor in Primary
mode. It covers the following topics:
Part Editor Window
Part Editor Display Controls
Part Editor Menu System
Part Editor - Primary Mode Toolbar
Redraw button
No Zoom button
Undo button
Interference button
Shell button
Zoom Button
Redraw Button
No Zoom Button
Undo Button
How It Works To switch the Part Editor to Primary mode, click the
Primary Mode button. A different toolbar is
displayed.
Use Them To Switch the snap, grid, and object snap, on and off.
With Snap, the cursor, and points placed by the cursor, can only be
positioned at regular intervals from the origin. The snap interval setting
specifies the regular interval.
With Grid, a reference grid is displayed. The snap interval setting specifies
the gauge of the grid.
With Osnap, the cursor, and points placed by the cursor, are pulled to the
position of any nearby existing point that is within the Snap value.
How They Work To toggle the Snap mode on or off, click the Snap
button. Snap is active when the Snap button label
is on.
To set the Snap value for the snap, grid or osnap function, type a value in
the Snap box. Alternatively, to increase by a power of ten, click the up
arrow to the right of the Snap value, to decrease by a power of ten, click
the down arrow.
To toggle the Grid mode on or off, click the Grid button. The grid is
displayed when the Grid button label is on. The interval of the grid is
controlled by the Snap value.
To toggle the Osnap mode on or off, click the Osnap button. Osnap is
active when the Osnap button label is on.
How They Work To read the current position, look at the L, T, and
V values.
In Secondary mode, to change the position of a point, select the point.
Type the new coordinate values in the Point Position boxes and click OK.
How They Work After specifying a point in the graphic display area,
read the values as you move the cursor around the
graphic display area. Use them to help you set the
location of the next point.
Item Meaning
Interference Button
Use It To Show which other parts intersect with the part you
are editing, and optionally create outlines of the
interferences.
How It Works To display the parts that are between the origin and
the part you are editing, click the Near Side button.
How It Works To display the parts that are positioned beside the
current part, on the side farthest from the origin,
click the Far Side button.
Shell Button
Use It To Show how the part intersects the shell and optionally
show the cutouts for extrusions.
How It Works To mark the outline of the shell on the part, click the
Shell button.
When you click the Shell button, the Subtract Cutouts? prompt is
displayed.
To incorporate the cutouts into the shell outline, click Yes.
To add shapes for any cutouts that lie on the shell outline, click No.
How They Work The display shows the longitudinal, transverse and
vertical coordinates of the current cursor position.
The display changes dynamically as you move the
cursor.
The menu bar at the top of the Part Editor window consists of the File,
Edit, and Settings menus. You can select all menus and menu options by
clicking them with the mouse. Alternatively you can select a menu by
pressing the ALT key and the underlined letter of the menu name, and menu
options by pressing the underlined letter of the menu option. For example,
to select the Files menu, press ALT + F. Each menu option is described in
the following section.
File Menu
With the File menu, you can save changes to the part you are editing, select
a new part to edit, or exit from the Part Editor. You can also create an
opposite part.
File - Open
File - Save
How It Works To save all changes to the part you are currently
editing, choose File - Save. Use it if you are making
several changes to the part, or if you are about to
leave your computer for a while.
How It Works When you choose File - Import DXF, the Import
File dialog box appears.
In the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as follows, and click
OK.
Item Entry
Directories Select the directory, containing the DXF file.
File Name Type the file name, or select the file name from the list.
In the dialog box, indicate the units that are used in the DXF file that you
are importing, and click OK.
How It Works To exit the Part Editor, choose File - Exit Part
Editor. The message Do you wish to save all
changes? is displayed. To save all changes to the
part or extrusion you are currently editing in the Part
Editor, click Yes. Otherwise, click No.
The Main window is displayed.
Edit Menu
With the Edit menu, you can copy shapes to, and paste shapes from, the
Shape library or the Shape clipboard. You can also attach parts, and detach
parts from the part that is currently displayed.
In the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as follows, and click
OK.
Item Entry
Directories Select the directory to contain the file.
File Name Type the file name of the file that will contain the
shape(s).
Autobuild saves a copy of the group of shapes in the file you selected.
In the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as follows, and click
OK.
Item Entry
Directories Select the directory that contains the file.
File Name Select the file name of the file containing the shape(s) to
be pasted.
The group of shapes is pasted to the part displayed in the graphic display
area, at the insertion point.
Edit - Copy
Edit - Paste
How It Works Choose Edit - Paste, and in the graphic display area
click the insertion point for the shapes. The group of
shapes is pasted to the part displayed in the graphic
display area, at the insertion point.
You can paste the current group of shapes as often as you like.
To copy a new group of shapes to the Shape clipboard, use Edit - Copy.
How It Works When you choose Edit - Attach Parts, the Attach
Part dialog box appears.
In the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as follows, and click
OK.
Item Entry
Group To select all groups, select the All button.
To select one group, click the group name from the list, and
then select the Selected button.
Zone To select all zones, select the All button.
To select one zone, click the zone name from the list, and
then select the Selected button.
Type Select the type of part.
Part list The list displays all parts of the type selected, that are in the
selected groups and zones.
To attach a part, select the part, and click the Add button.
To detach a part, select the part, and click the Delete
button.
Attached parts are added to the part, when the part is displayed in the
graphic display area. They remain attached until you exit from the Part
Editor.
How It Works When you choose Edit - Detach All, all parts
attached to the current part, are detached.
Settings Menu
With the Settings menu, you can change a parts attributes. You can also
change the drawing colors in the graphic display area and the units of
measurement.
In the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as follows, and click
OK.
Item Entry
Material To change the material, select from the list.
Sp.Gr. The specific gravity of the selected material is
displayed.
Thickness To change the thickness, type the new value.
Name To change the part name, type the new name.
Group To change the group, select from the list.
Zone To change the zone, select from the list.
Settings - Units
How It Works When you choose Settings - Units, the Units dialog
box appears.
For more information, see Settings - Units in Chapter 4, Using the
Main Menu.
Union button
Intersect button
Subtract button
Erase button
Continued
Rotate button
Move button
Copy button
Array button
Mirror button
Offset button
Trim button
Type the radius for the filleted corner, and click OK.
How It Works To draw an oval, click the Oval Draw button. Using
the mouse, move the cross hairs to the position for
one corner of the oval. Hold down the left mouse
button and move the cross hairs to the opposite
corner of the oval. Then release the mouse button.
An oval is a rectangle between two semi circles. The radius of the
semicircles is half the width of the rectangle.
How It Works Line Draw draws a straight line between the point
you specify, and the previous point you specified, if
any.
When you click the Line Draw button, the toolbar is replaced by the
following buttons:
To draw a closed loop, click the Line Draw button. In the graphic
display area, draw a series of straight lines by clicking a sequence of
points that define the loop. Then click the Close Loop button.
To erase all the points you have added with Line Draw, click the
Primary Mode button. In response to the Keep changes? prompt,
click No.
How It Works After choosing the Line Draw button and adding a
sequence of points, to delete the last point you
added, click the Erase Point button.
The Erase Point button is only available when you are in Line Draw mode.
How It Works After clicking the Line Draw button and adding a
sequence of points, to close the loop, click the Close
Loop button.
Union Button
How It Works To create the union shape, click the Union button.
Click on the outline of the first shape, and then click
on the outline of the second. The prompt Keep
Original Shapes? appears.
Click Yes or No.
Button Meaning
Yes Creates the new shape, and retains the two starting
shapes.
No Creates the new shape, and deletes the two starting
shapes.
Cancel Cancels the operation.
Intersect Button
Button Meaning
Yes Creates the new shape, and retains the two starting
shapes.
No Creates the new shape, and deletes the two starting
shapes.
Cancel Cancels the operation.
Note: This tool performs a Boolean AND operation on the two shapes.
meaning only the common area between the shapes is calculated.
Subtract Button
Button Meaning
Yes Creates the new shape, and retains the two starting
shapes.
No Creates the new shape, and deletes the two starting
shapes.
Cancel Cancels the operation.
Note: This tool performs a Boolean NOT operation on the two shapes,
meaning the common area is removed from the first shape.
Erase Button
How It Works To erase a shape, click the Erase button and click
the shape. You can click on other shapes to erase
them.
To turn off the Erase function, click on the Erase button, or another
button, or a blank space in the Editor window.
Rotate Button
How It Works To rotate a shape, click the Rotate button, click the
shape, and click the point of rotation. The Rotate
Shape dialog box appears.
To specify the angle of rotation, in the dialog box, you can do one of the
following:
To specify the angle in degrees, in the Rotation Angle box, type the
number of degrees, and click OK.
To specify the angle of rotation with a second point, click the Second
Point button, and after the dialog box closes, click the position of the
second point in the graphic display area.
With the second point procedure, the angle of rotation is defined by the
displayed horizontal reference line, and the line that joins the second
point to the point of rotation.
Item Entry
Angle To specify the rotation angle, type the number of
degrees. A positive angle is counter clockwise.
Second Point To specify the angle of rotation by a second point,
click the Second Point button, and then after the
Rotate Shape dialog box closes, click the location
of the second point in the graphic display area.
Move Button
How It Works To move a shape, click the Move button. Click the
outline of the shape to be moved, and position the
cross hairs at a location for a base-point. Hold down
the left mouse button. Drag the shape to its new
location, and release the mouse button.
Copy Button
How It Works To copy a shape, click the Copy button. Click the
outline of the shape to be copied, and position the
cross hairs at a location for a base-point. Hold down
the left mouse button. Drag the copied shape to its
new location, and release the mouse button.
Array Button
How It Works To create the array, click the Array button, and
click the outline of the shape. The Array Shapes
dialog box appears.
To produce the array, in the dialog box, indicate the options you require, as
follows, and click OK.
Item Entry
Rows Number Type the number of rows (at least 1) in the array.
Rows Spacing Type the distance between the rows in the array.
Columns Number Type the number of columns (at least 1) in the
array.
Columns Spacing Type the distance between the columns in the
array.
Mirror Check to produce a mirror image of the array,
symmetrical about the center line of the shell.
Mirror Button
Offset Button
To create the new shape, in the dialog box, indicate the options you
require, as follows, and click OK.
Item Meaning
Side To create a reduced version, select Inner.
To create an enlarged version, select Outer.
Offset Distance Type the distance between the outline of the
selected shape, and the outline of the shape you are
creating.
Avoid creating an offset of a part that has extrusion cutouts. Instead, to get
extrusion cutouts, mark the extrusion intersections as you create the part.
Then create and work with the offset. Finally, make the extrusion cutouts
using the Subtraction tool.
Trim Button
This chapter tells you how to operate the Part Editor window in Secondary
mode. The following points are covered in this chapter:
Part Editor in Secondary Mode
Part Editor - Secondary Mode Toolbar
Moving Points
In Secondary mode you can move a selected point by:
Dragging the point with the mouse.
Pressing one of the arrow keys to move the point the snap interval
distance.
Typing the points new coordinates in the Point Position boxes, and
then clicking in the graphic display area.
Type the radius for the filleted corner, and click OK.
To specify the extrusion, in the dialog box, indicate the options you
require, as follows, and click OK.
Item Entry
Type Select the type of extrusion to map. All extrusions of
this type are displayed in the Extrusion list.
Extrusion Select an extrusion from the list. The outline of the
list selected extrusion is displayed in the box at the right
side of the Extrusion dialog box.
Side Select the side of the part where the extrusion is to be
attached. Near is the side nearest to the origin. Far is the
side farthest from the origin.
Material Displays the material for the selected extrusion.
Sp.Gr. Displays the specific gravity for the selected extrusion.
Width Displays the nominal width of the selected extrusion.
Height Displays the nominal height of the selected extrusion.
Additional Operations
When an extrusion is loaded, the Part Editor has an additional menu, the
Extrusion menu, which provides the specific tools you need to edit
extrusions. The Extrusion menu options are described later in this chapter.
The following illustration shows the Part Editor menu bar, with the
additional menu.
Note that the menu option File - Import DXF, is available for editing
extrusions, but not parts. It enables you to import a CAD .DXF file as you
edit an extrusion. For more information see File - Import in Chapter 5,
Editing Parts in Primary Mode.
Unavailable Operations
When an extrusion is loaded, the Part Editor does not provide the
Interference button, Far Side button, Near Side button, Shell button,
Apply Extrusion button and Flip Extrusion button since they are not
appropriate for editing extrusions.
Extrusion Menu
The Extrusion menu, which is available in the Part Editor when you are
editing an extrusion, provides tools for editing and creating an extrusion. It
enables you to add an insertion point, designate a shape as the extrusion
cutout and rescale the extrusion.
Extrusion - Cutout
Extrusion - Scale
In the dialog box indicate the options you require, as follows, and click
OK.
Item Meaning
Scale Factor Type a number to indicate the factor by which the actual
size of the extrusion is to be scaled. Do not type a
number larger than 2.0.
Note that the extrusion may not appear to have been resized, because
Autobuild automatically adjusts the display so that the extrusion still fills
the graphic drawing area. To verify the resizing, move the cursor to the
extrusion outline and watch the Cursor Position boxes.
Release 4.0.0
Table of Contents
Topic 1 Getting Started........................................... 1
Table of Contents i
Table of Contents
Topic 5 Floors...................................................... 55
ii Table of Contents
Table of Contents
iv Table of Contents
Topic 1
Getting Started
The Autobuild Tutorial walks you through the building of a vessels
interior parts, step by step, using many of Autobuilds capabilities. It is
designed with the expectation that you will start with Topic 1 and work
progressively through the tutorial, one topic at a time, to Topic 8. The
early topics explain basic steps in detail, and this knowledge is assumed in
the later topics.
In this tutorial you will work with Autobuild, to create the interior
structure for a tugboat shell which was created in Autoship. The tutorial
assumes that you are new to Autoship and Autobuild, and demonstrates a
wide selection of Autobuilds tools. By the time you have completed the
tutorial, you should have every confidence that you can use Autobuild to
design the interior structure for your own vessel.
You will start the tutorial using Autobuild files, already created for you,
from an Autoship file called TUTORIAL.PRJ. The files TUTORIAL.FC1,
TUTORIAL.OLC and TUTORIAL.SPW are located in the
\AUTOSHIP\BUILD\TUTORIAL directory.
Normally, you design the vessels parts in the same sequence as they will
be built into the vessels shell. This means starting with the keel bar,
bulkheads and frames, and then progressing to the smaller members. As
this tutorial is designed to take you progressively through using
Autobuilds tools, we have deferred designing the keel bar till later, as it
involves understanding more complex Autobuild concepts.
If you want an overview of the tutorial before you start, check through the
list of topics in the Table of Contents.
Finished Model
The following illustration shows a drawing of the model you will construct
as you work through this tutorial.
Starting Autobuild
1. Click the Autobuild icon. You can find it in the Windows Program
Manager, in the Autoship group.
The Autobuild title window is displayed for a few seconds, then the
Autobuild Main window opens. It looks like this.
Option Action
Project Name Type tutorial.
Directory Select the \autoship\build\tutorial directory.
Part Reference Plane Select Molded Line.
Using the Molded Line convention means that all dimensions are from
the origin to the parts face closest to the origin. In this tutorial, the
origin is at the forward end of the vessel.
Check that the dialog box looks like this.
Option Action
LOA Leave blank.
LBP Leave blank.
Beam Leave blank.
Depth Leave blank.
Weld Relief Radius Type 0.5. This is the distance allowed at
the end of a seam for a weld.
The LOA, LBP, BEAM and Depth dimensions will be set later, when
you add the Face file.
Check that the dialog box looks like this.
In the Group And Zone Setup dialog box, create the groups and zones
as described in the following table.
Option Action
Group To add 6mm to the Group list, under Group, click the
Add button. In the New Group dialog box, type 6mm
and click OK.
Now use the same procedure add 8mm, 10mm, and
12mm to the Group list.
Zone To add Fwd to the Zone list, under Zone, click the
Add button. In the New Zone dialog box, type Fwd
and click OK.
Now use the same procedure to add Mid and Aft to
the Zone list.
As the remaining controls are useful only after you have created some
parts, they are described later in the tutorial.
Topic 2 - Bulkheads 15
Creating Bulkheads
2. In the New Part dialog box, select the options as shown in the
following table.
Option Action
Name Type Bhd 16.4. (This identifies the part.)
Group Select 6MM. (This is the thickness of the part.)
Zone Select AFT.
Type Select Bulkhead.
Material Select Steel from the list.
Sp.Gr. The displayed value shows the specific gravity
of steel.
Thickness Type 6.
Defining Type 16.394. (This allows for the thickness of
Point the bulkhead. 16.400 - .006)
Limits Do not change the displayed values.
Shell Select this option. (This option cuts the
Intersections longitudinal to fit the shell.)
Extrusion Do not select this option.
Intersections
16 Topic 2 Bulkheads
Creating Bulkheads
1.2a 6a 14.0a
Name Bhd 1.2 Bhd 6.0 Bhd 14.0
Group 6MM 8MM 8MM
Zone FWD FWD AFT
Type Bulkhead Bulkhead Bulkhead
Material Steel Steel Steel
Thickness 6 8 8
Defining Point 1.194 5.992 13.992
Shell Intersections x x x
Extrusion
Intersections
Note that when you create the bulkhead at 6.0a, the message
Side 1 contours < > Side 2 contours is displayed. When you display the
part in the Part Editor you see two outlines, one for the forward surface of
the bulkhead, the other for the aft surface. You will need to work with the
Part Editor tools on the two outlines, to produce the one outline that best
represents the bulkhead. You will learn how to use the Part Editor later in
this topic, so it is recommended that you delay the editing of this bulkhead
until you have finished working through Topic 2, Bulkheads.
Topic 2 - Bulklheads 17
Creating Bulkheads
The following illustration shows the newly created 6.0a bulkhead and the
outlines that you will need to erase with the Erase button in the Part
Editor.
18 Topic 2 Bulkheads
Putting a Hatchway Opening in the Aft Bulkhead
Option Action
Group Select All.
Zone Select All.
Type Select Bulkhead.
Bulkhead list Select Bhd 16.4.
Topic 2 - Bulklheads 19
Putting a Hatchway Opening in the Aft Bulkhead
3. Click OK. The Bulkhead is displayed in the Part Editor. This is shown
in the following illustration.
20 Topic 2 Bulkheads
Putting a Hatchway Opening in the Aft Bulkhead
No Zoom button.
Topic 2 - Bulklheads 21
Putting a Hatchway Opening in the Aft Bulkhead
The Part Editor is currently in Primary mode. Later in the tutorial you will
use the Secondary Mode button to change the Part Editor from Primary
mode to Secondary mode. In Secondary mode, you can work with the
points that define the shape of the part.
Box corner T V
Top left 0.4p 6.3
Top right 0.4p 6.3
Bottom right 0.4s 4.9
Bottom left 0.4s 4.9
Note that 0.4p means 0.4 port, and 0.4s means 0.4 starboard.
1. In the Snap box, at the left side of the graphic display area, type 0.1.
Check that the Snap button is clicked on.
2. Click the Radiused-Corner Box Draw button. The message
Drag/release box corners is displayed in the message bar,
below the graphic display area.
22 Topic 2 Bulkheads
Putting a Hatchway Opening in the Aft Bulkhead
3. With the mouse, position the cursor at the point corresponding to the
top left corner of the box, with coordinates T=0.4p and V=6.3. Use the
Cursor Position boxes to help you find the position.
4. At T=0.4p and V=6.3, press and hold down the left mouse button as
you drag the cursor diagonally across the box to the point
corresponding to the bottom right corner of the box, with coordinates
T=0.4s and V=4.9. Now release the mouse button. While you are
holding down the mouse button, a box is displayed at the cursor,
showing the position of the box you are currently defining. When you
release the mouse button, the Fillet Radius dialog box is displayed.
5. In the Fillet Radius dialog box, in the Radius box, type 0.2 and click
OK.
The outline of the hatchway is drawn on the bulkhead. It looks like this.
6. To save the changes to the bulkhead, without exiting from the Part
Editor, from the menu bar choose File - Save.
Topic 2 - Bulklheads 23
Adding Extrusions to the Aft Bulkhead
24 Topic 2 Bulkheads
Adding Extrusions to the Aft Bulkhead
2. Click the hatchway opening outline. The Array Shapes dialog box is
displayed.
3. In the Array Shapes dialog box, select the options shown in the
following illustration. This will create a copy 0.1m to the right.
4. Click OK. The new shape is created and your drawing looks like this.
Topic 2 - Bulklheads 25
Adding Extrusions to the Aft Bulkhead
26 Topic 2 Bulkheads
Adding Extrusions to the Aft Bulkhead
Topic 2 - Bulklheads 27
Adding Extrusions to the Aft Bulkhead
4. Anywhere in the graphic display area, click and hold down the mouse
button. With the mouse button still held down, drag the cursor
approximately 0.1 to the left, so that the displayed rectangular shape
covers the hatchway opening, then release the mouse button. The
extrusion is moved to a new position, covering the hatchway opening.
(If you made a mistake, click the Undo button, and try again.)
5. To save the changes to the bulkhead, from the menu bar, choose
File - Save.
28 Topic 2 Bulkheads
Adding Extrusions to the Aft Bulkhead
4. Continue to insert the next six points, with the coordinates shown in
the following table.
Point T V
1 0.000 3.600
2 0.600s 3.600
3 1.200s 3.600
4 1.200s 7.200
5 1.800s 7.200
6 1.800s 3.600
7 2.400s 3.600
8 2.400s 7.200
Topic 2 - Bulklheads 29
Adding Extrusions to the Aft Bulkhead
30 Topic 2 Bulkheads
Adding Extrusions to the Aft Bulkhead
Topic 2 - Bulklheads 31
Adding Extrusions to the Aft Bulkhead
6. Click the Primary Mode button to change the Part Editor from
Secondary mode to Primary mode, keeping the changes. Note that this
retains the extrusion paths in the drawing, but does not save them to
the file.
7. Click the Mirror button. The message Select shape to
mirror is displayed. Now click one of the extrusions, its mirror
image is created at the left side of the bulkhead. Repeat this
with the other two extrusions. Your drawing looks like this.
32 Topic 2 Bulkheads
Adding Extrusions to the Aft Bulkhead
Topic 2 - Bulklheads 33
Creating Longitudinal Bulkheads for the Aft Fuel Tanks
34 Topic 2 Bulkheads
Creating Longitudinal Bulkheads for the Aft Fuel Tanks
3. Click OK. In the Main window, watch the new part being created and
added to the drawing.
Option Action
Group Select All.
Zone Select All.
Type Select Longitudinal Plane.
Longitudinal Plane list Select Aft Fuel Bhd Stb.
Topic 2 - Bulklheads 35
Creating Longitudinal Bulkheads for the Aft Fuel Tanks
36 Topic 2 Bulkheads
Topic 3
Views and Reports
Viewing Parts in the Main
Window
In this stage we emphasize how to:
Use more display control options
Use the Render Parts button, Wireframe button, Next Part button
and Previous Part button
Now that you have created two different types of parts, you can try some
of the features in the Main window that help you view parts.
Click the Longs button on. The longitudinals are added to the
drawing.
Click the Decks button on. The drawing is unchanged, as there are
no deck parts in the project.
Click the Longs button off. The longitudinal bulkheads are removed
from the drawing.
Click the All button. Every part button is switched on. The
longitudinal bulkheads are added to the drawing again.
Any time you are in Render Parts mode. use the Part Type buttons to
view the parts you want to examine.
3. To change the Main window to Wireframe mode, click the
Wireframe button, in the toolbar.
In Wireframe mode, notice the display is in wire frame form,
with the one selected part displayed in red. The name of the selected
part is displayed in the message bar below the graphic display area.
4. In Wireframe mode, on your keyboard, press F7 or the Next
Part button to select the next part. Repeat this several times.
5. If you need to select the previous part, press F8 or the
Previous Part button.
6. In Wireframe mode, click the Edit Part button. The last part
viewed is already selected in the Edit Part dialog box, ready for
editing. Click Cancel to return to the Main window.
Remember you can use the Rotation and Tilt sliders to improve your
view of the parts you are interested in. Also use the Zoom button and
No Zoom button to get a closer look at selected areas.
Viewing Reports
In this stage we emphasize how to:
Generate and display reports
Print reports and transfer reports to Windows applications
Now that you have created some parts for the tug boat, you can generate
some reports that provide part information. You can view these reports
online or you can print them. You also have the options of transferring
them directly to Microsoft Word with a DDE link, and copying them to the
Windows Clipboard for insertion in other Windows applications.
Generating Reports
1. In the Main window, from the menu bar, choose Report - Weights.
The Part List, sorted by plate material and thickness is displayed.
Examine the report, using the vertical scroll bar to view the end of the
report. When you have finished, click the Close button.
2. From the menu bar, choose Report - Parts by Group. The new
report, the Part List by Group is displayed, added to the end of the
Parts List. Compare the two reports.
3. Click the Printer icon, located at the bottom of the reports, to print
both the displayed reports.
4. If you want to transfer both reports to an open Microsoft Word
document, click the Word icon, located at the bottom of the reports.
To copy the reports to your Microsoft Windows Clipboard, click the
Clipboard icon, located at the bottom of the reports, then paste them
into another of your Windows applications. Click the Close button.
5. Choose Reports - Clear Report to delete both the Part List and the
Part List by Group. Now choose File - Parts by Type. The new Part
List by Type report is displayed. Click the Close button.
Topic 4 - Girders 41
Creating the Engine Girders
3. Click the General button. The General Plane dialog box is displayed.
42 Topic 4 Girders
Creating the Engine Girders
4. In the General Plane dialog box, type the coordinates of four points
that define the plane, as shown in the illustration. In this example, point
1 and point 2 are the lowest and highest forward points in the girder,
and point 3 and point 4 are the highest and lowest aft points in the
girder. Note that these longitudinal extents are used because our
girders are referenced from the shaft center line which is known at
these extents. The coefficients for the equation of the plane you have
defined are displayed. The equation is Ax + By + Cz + D = 0.
5. Click OK. The new part is added to the drawing in the Main window.
Topic 4 - Girders 43
Creating the Engine Girders
Option Action
Group Select All.
Zone Select All.
Type Select General Plane.
General Plane list Select Inb Eng Girder Stb.
3. Click OK. The starboard inboard engine girder is displayed in the Part
Editor.
4. Press the Interference button. In response to the Keep
interferences as shapes? prompt, click Yes. The interference
loop for the bulkhead at 14 a is added to the drawing. It looks
like this.
44 Topic 4 Girders
Creating the Engine Girders
Topic 4 - Girders 45
Creating the Engine Girders
5. Now the top of the interference loop is magnified, select one of the two
points at the top of the bulkhead interference loop. On your keyboard,
press the UP ARROW key once to move the selected point vertically
upwards, above the girder outline,. Select the other point at the top of
the bulkhead loop, and press the UP ARROW key once to move it
upwards. Your zoomed drawing looks like this.
5. To pan the view from the top to the bottom of the bulkhead
interference loop, position the cursor in the bulkhead interference loop
near the bottom of the graphic display area, and click the right mouse
button. Repeat this until the zoomed image shows the bottom of the
bulkhead interference loop. If you have difficulty with this panning
procedure, there is an alternative procedure. You can click the No
Zoom button to return to the normal view, and then zoom directly at
the bottom of the bulkhead interference loop.
46 Topic 4 Girders
Creating the Engine Girders
6. Now the bottom of the interference loop is magnified, select one of the
three points (two are coincident) at the bottom of the bulkhead
interference loop. On your keyboard, press the DOWN ARROW key once
to move the selected point vertically downwards, below the girder
outline. Select the other two points at the bottom of the bulkhead
interference loop, in turn, and move them downwards with the DOWN
ARROW key.
7. Click the No Zoom button and click the Primary Mode button
to return to Primary mode. Your drawing looks like this.
Topic 4 - Girders 47
Creating the Engine Girders
48 Topic 4 Girders
Creating the Engine Girders
3. In the Cursor Coordinate boxes, at the left hand side of the graphic
drawing area, in the L box, type 10.9a, and in the V box type 3.5. Click
the mouse anywhere in the graphic drawing area. The new point moves
to the specified position (L=10.9a, V=3.5). Your drawing looks like
this.
Topic 4 - Girders 49
Creating the Engine Girders
3. Click the point at the top left of the girder outline, then click the new
point near the middle, and then click the top right point of the girder
outline. Finally, to create an extra tail on the extrusion path, for easier
editing, click a fourth point somewhere above the girder.
4. Click the Primary Mode button to terminate the Line Draw mode.
Your drawing looks like this.
50 Topic 4 Girders
Creating the Engine Girders
6. In the Extrusion dialog box, indicate the options shown in the following
illustration.
Topic 4 - Girders 51
Creating the Engine Girders
52 Topic 4 Girders
Creating the Engine Girders
The following illustration shows the settings in the General Plane dialog
box.
Topic 4 - Girders 53
Creating the Engine Girders
54 Topic 4 Girders
Topic 5
Floors
Creating the Floors
In this stage we emphasize how to:
Create a transverse floor
Create multiple parts
Use the Line Draw button, Close Loop button, Move button,
Intersect button, Subtract button and Designate Solid button
Use the Snap button and Osnap buttons
Topic 5 - Floors 55
Creating the Floors
3. Click the Multiple button. The Multiple Floors dialog box is displayed.
4. In the Multiple Floors dialog box, type the options as shown in the
following illustration. You are specifying the position of the first and
last floor, allowing for the plate thickness of each floor. You are also
specifying the distance between the floors.
56 Topic 5 Floors
Trimming the Aftmost Floor
Option Action
Group Select All.
Zone Select All.
Type Select Transverse Floor.
Transverse Floor list Select floor at 13.194.
Topic 5 - Floors 57
Trimming the Aftmost Floor
58 Topic 5 Floors
Trimming the Aftmost Floor
6. In the Snap box, type 0.4. Make sure the Snap button label is clicked
on.
7. Click the Move button. The message Select shape to move is
displayed.
8. Click the top side of the triangular shape you just created. The
message Select and drag base point is displayed.
Topic 5 - Floors 59
Trimming the Aftmost Floor
9. Anywhere in the graphic display area, click and hold down the mouse
button. With the mouse button still held down, drag the cursor
approximately 0.4 vertically upwards, then release the mouse button.
The triangular shape is moved to a new position, exactly 0.4 meters
above its previous position. (If you make a mistake, click the Undo
button, and try again.)
Your drawing looks like this.
60 Topic 5 Floors
Trimming the Aftmost Floor
Topic 5 - Floors 61
Trimming the Aftmost Floor
The new left outline of the floor is defined by the left side of the
repositioned outer outline. The drawing looks like this.
62 Topic 5 Floors
Trimming the Aftmost Floor
2. Click the shape that defines the left end outline. (Refer to the preceding
illustration.) The mirror shape is created.
Topic 5 - Floors 63
Trimming the Aftmost Floor
4. In response to the Keep Original Shapes? prompt, click No. The two
shapes are replaced with an sides definition shape.
Check that your drawing looks like this. (If you make a mistake, click
the Undo button, and try again.)
64 Topic 5 Floors
Trimming the Aftmost Floor
Topic 5 - Floors 65
Trimming the Aftmost Floor
66 Topic 5 Floors
Trimming the Aftmost Floor
Topic 5 - Floors 67
Trimming the Aftmost Floor
68 Topic 5 Floors
Trimming the Aftmost Floor
Topic 5 - Floors 69
Trimming the Aftmost Floor
70 Topic 5 Floors
Topic 6
Frames
Creating Frames
In this stage we emphasize how to:
Create a transverse frame
Create multiple parts
Use the Array tool
Topic 6 - Frames 71
Creating Frames
2. In the New Part dialog box, indicate the options shown in the following
illustration. Note that Extrusion Intersections is checked to utilize the
side-longitudinals that were specified in Autoship.
72 Topic 6 Frames
Trimming the Aftmost Frame
Option Action
Group Select All.
Zone Select All.
Type Select Transverse Frame.
Transverse Frame list Select frame at 13.2.
Topic 6 - Frames 73
Trimming the Aftmost Frame
74 Topic 6 Frames
Trimming the Aftmost Frame
2. Click the Array button. Click the outer offset outline. In the
Array Shapes dialog box, specify the options shown in the
following illustration.
Click OK. A copy of the outer offset outline is drawn 0.8 m to the
right. This is the port side outline.
3. Click the Mirror button. Click the new outline. The starboard
side outline is created. Your drawing looks like this.
Topic 6 - Frames 75
Trimming the Aftmost Frame
4. Click the Intersect button. Click the port side outline and the
starboard side outline. In response to the Keep Original
Shapes? prompt, click No. The inboard sides definition outline
is created.
76 Topic 6 Frames
Trimming the Aftmost Frame
Topic 6 - Frames 77
Trimming the Aftmost Frame
78 Topic 6 Frames
Trimming the Aftmost Frame
9. Click the Intersect button. Click the top outline and the bottom
outline. In response to the Keep Original Shapes? prompt,
click No. The inboard sides definition outline is created.
Topic 6 - Frames 79
Trimming the Aftmost Frame
80 Topic 6 Frames
Trimming the Aftmost Frame
2. Click the Subtract button. Now click one of the frames, then
one of its embedded cutouts. In response to the Keep Original
Shapes? prompt, click No. The cutout is made in the shape.
Repeat this step for all the embedded cutouts, on both frames.
Option Action
Group Select All.
Zone Select All.
Type Select Transverse Floor.
Transverse Floor list Select ER Floor at 13.194A.
3. Click the Attach button and click the Close button. The floor is added
to the frame in the Part Editor display.
4. To save the pair of frames, choose File - Exit Part Editor. In response
to the Do you wish to save all changes? prompt, click Yes.
The pair of frames is complete. You can now trim the other eight
frames, using the same procedure.
Topic 6 - Frames 81
Trimming the Aftmost Frame
82 Topic 6 Frames
Topic 7
Forward Fuel Tank
Creating the Forward Fuel
Tanks
In this stage we emphasize how to:
Create longitudinal planes, transverse floors and multiple parts
Use the Interference button, Radius Fillet button, Designate Hole
button, Mirror button and Subtract button
The forward fuel tanks are located between the 1.2a bulkhead and the 6.0a
bulkhead, and run from the center line outboard. The tank top is at 4.5 m.
To complete the fuel tanks you need to create the following parts:
Center line longitudinal bulkhead
Set of transverse floors, 1.2 m apart
Fuel tank top
The procedures are described in the following section.
3. Click OK. The new part is added to the drawing in the Main window.
3. Click the Multiple button. The Multiple Floors dialog box is displayed.
4. In the Multiple Floors dialog box, type the options as shown in the
following illustration. You are specifying the position of the first and
last floor, allowing for the thickness of each floor. You are also
specifying the distance between the floors. Note that you are also
setting the top to 4.5.
Option Action
Group Select 6mm and Selected
Zone Select Fwd and Selected
Type Select Transverse Floor
Transverse Floor list Select Fwd fuel tank flr at 4.794A
5. Now, to divide the floor into two halves, you need to extend the
interference loop, so that its ends are outside the floor outline. Then
subtract the interference loop from the floor outline.
The procedure is similar to that described in Extending the
Interference Loops and Subtracting the Interference Loops in
Topic 5, Floors.
1. Click the Mirror button, and then click the offset outline. A
mirror image of the hole is created in the right section of the
floor. Your drawing looks like this.
2. Repeat step 1 with the right floor outline and its cutouts. Check that
your drawing looks like this.
2. In the New Part dialog box, indicate the options shown in the following
illustration. Note that under Limits, you must type values in the Aft and
Forward boxes.
3. Click OK. The new part is added to the drawing in the Main window.
Note that this fuel tank top is horizontal. If you want it to be sloped,
then you can create it as a general plane.
Option Action
Group Select All
Zone Select All
Type Select Longitudinal Plane
Longitudinal Plane list Keel bar
3. Click OK. The keel bar is displayed in the Part Editor. It looks like
this.
Option Action
Side Select Inside.
Offset Distance Type 0.3.
Click OK.
2. To create the outer offset outline, click the Offset button, and click the
original outline (be careful not to click the inner offset outline) in the
graphic display area. In the Offset dialog box, enter the following.
Option Action
Side Select Outside.
Offset Distance Type 0.02.
Click OK.
You can now see three distinct outlines, the inner offset outline, the
original outline, and the outer offset outline. To see them clearly, use
the Zoom button to zoom in on a section of the outline.
2. Click the inner offset outline, at the top left. The outline is erased. (If
you make a mistake, click the Undo button, and try again.)
3. To terminate the erase function, click any blank space in the graphical
display area. Your drawing looks like this.
4. To start making a new shape, click the first point (Pt 1) shown in the
following illustration. Use the Cursor Position boxes to help you
locate the point.
1. Click the Osnap button off. Click the Snap button and check that it is
set to 0.1.
2. Complete the line shown in the preceding illustration by adding points
2 - 5.
3. Click the Close Loop button.
Point 5 is joined to Point 1.
4. Click the Subtract button, the keel bar outline, and the new
shape. In response to the Keeping Original Shapes? prompt,
click No.
4. To start making a new shape, click the first point (Pt 1) shown in the
following illustration.
7. To subtract the new shape, click the Subtract button, the keel
bar outline, and the new shape. In response to the Keep
Original Shapes? prompt, click No.
Your drawing looks like this.
4. Click the Primary Mode button to change the Part Editor to Primary
mode.
5. Choose File - Exit Part Editor, to exit. In response to the Do you
wish to save all changes? prompt, click Yes. You can now see the
vessel, complete with keel bar. in the Main window.
Index 207
Index
208 Index
Index
drawing extrusion, 85
array, 178 part, 81
box, 162 Editor window, 57
circle, 169 Element, 111
closed loop, 165 ellipse, 164
line, 165 ending
mirror image, 179 Part Editor - Primary mode, 122
offset, 180 enlarging, 35, 124
open shape, 165 extrusion, 206
oval, 164 enlarging shape, 180
radiused-corner box, 163 entering
drawing area, 29 Part Editor - Primary mode, 121
Drawing Colors, 111, 158 Part Editor - Secondary mode, 121
Drawing Colors dialog box, 111, 158 entering Autobuild, 16
duplicating shape, 177 envelope, 100
DXF file, 20, 25 adding, 72
exporting project in 2D form, 60 deleting, 73
exporting project in 3D form, 58 Erase button, 173
exporting project section, 66 Erase Point button, 165, 167
exporting project, one part in 3D form, erasing
63 line segments, 181
importing to Part Editor, 143 part, 42, 83
shape, 173
error, 127
E Exit, 57, 70
Edit, 81, 202 Exit Part Editor, 145
Edit - Attach Parts, 153 exiting
Edit - Copy, 57, 151 Autobuild, 16, 70
Edit - Copy to Shape Library, 147 Part Editor, 145
Edit - Cut, 57 Part Editor - Primary mode, 122
Edit - Detach All, 155 Secondary mode, 186
Edit - Find, 57 Export Autoship DRA, 68
Edit - Part, 121 Export DXF - 2D Cross Section, 66
Edit - Paste, 57, 152 Export DXF - All 3D, 58
Edit - Paste from Shape Library, 149 Export DXF - Flat, 60
Edit - Replace, 57 Export DXF - One Part 3D, 63
Edit Extrusion button, 24, 44, 202 exporting, 20, 25
Edit menu, 146 project in 2D form, 60
Notes Editor, 57 project in 3D form, 58
Edit Part button, 22, 43, 121 project section, 66
Edit Part dialog box, 81, 140 project, one part in 3D form, 63
editing
Index 209
Index
210 Index
Index
H K
hardware lock, 4, 12 Keep interferences?, 133
Has Builder Inf, 55 key
Height, 85 F5, 185
extrusion, 195 F6, 185
Help
how to use, 115
Help - About Autobuild, 117
L
Help - Contents, 116 L, 18, 131, 137
Help menu, 115 Last, 80
hole lateral inversion, 179
designating, 193 LBP, 52, 108
horizontal displacement, 132 Length, 51, 110, 143
hull Length Units, 52, 108
adding, 72 limitations, 3
deleting, 73 Limits, 75, 80
viewing, 100 Line Draw button, 165, 167, 168
line segment
I trimming, 181
LOA, 52, 108
Import DXF, 143 lock, 4, 12
Import File dialog box, 143 Longs, 31
importing loop
DXF file to Part Editor, 143 closing, 168, 191
insertion point, 204
in extrusion, 204
in shape, 147, 149, 151, 152
M
Insertion Point button, 189 magnifying, 35, 124
Inside, 180 Main window, 28
installing Autobuild, 10 display controls, 30
Interference button, 133, 201 menu bar, 48
Intersect button, 171 toolbar, 34
intersecting parts, 133 Main window menus, 47
Interval, 80 File menu, 49
inversion, lateral, 179 Help menu, 115
Part menu, 74
J Report menu, 101
Settings menu, 107
joining Shell menu, 71
loop, 168, 191 View menu, 91
shapes, 170 making part, 41
Index 211
Index
212 Index
Index
Index 213
Index
214 Index
Index
Index 215
Index
V Y
V, 18, 131, 137 Y, 201
versions, 3 yaw angle, 33
vertical displacement, 132
View - All, 92
View - Axonometric, 95
Z
View - Body, 93 Zone, 53, 60, 63, 75, 81, 83, 89, 153, 157
View - Next Part, 40, 98 zone settings, 89
View - Perspective, 96 Zoom button, 35, 124
View - Plan/Profile, 94 zoom, canceling, 36, 126
View - Previous Part, 39, 99
216 Index