Victoria, BC, Canada, Thursday 21st July 2005
Albacore Research Ltd. (ARL), the creator of the 3D
product modeling software ShipConstructor, is putting
the last touches on this year’s new software version,
ShipConstructor 2006, scheduled for release towards the
end of 2005. ShipConstructor 2006 represents a quantum
leap in CAD/CAM with the introduction of the Database
Driven Relational Object Model™ (DDROM™) technology, as
well as an Application Programming Interface (API).
While DDROM will provide ShipConstructor users with a
‘better-than-parametric’ technology, the API will make
it easier for users and third-party developers to tie
into the ShipConstructor product model database.
DDROM and other new features will be presented at the
SNAME Annual Meeting in Houston – at the booth as well
as during the Innovation Sessions. Furthermore,
ShipConstructor 2006 will be presented at NEVA Russia,
Kormarine, Europort Rotterdam, Pacific Expo, Workboat
Show and Marintec China later this year.
Database Driven Relational Object Model (DDROM)
ShipConstructor’s Database Driven Relational Object
Model (DDROM) is an exciting new technology that will
transform how shipyards and offshore yards design and
fabricate. DDROM is similar to parametric modeling, but
does not come with all its ‘headaches’. In contrast to
parametric technology, the powerful DDROM will be usable
by designers without extensive training - in fact,
relationships within the product model are created
automatically. Furthermore, the technology works for
even the most complex projects while still running on
standard PCs. Thus, parametric-like features will be
available on a much more comfortable and workable level.
DDROM’s secret lies in storing all geometry in the
ShipConstructor database and linking their dependencies
automatically. Storing geometry in the database means
that all structural, pipe, HVAC and other
ShipConstructor entities can be accessed and changed
directly in the database. DDROM entities are not only
represented in the database with their geometry, but
also with their attributes such as materials, weights,
revisions, and build strategies. Therefore, all
ShipConstructor product model entities such as plates,
stiffeners, pipes, ducts, penetrations, etc. can be
recreated in the CAD drawings from the database.
The time designers and drafters will spend for
modeling structural plate parts will be reduced
dramatically (up to ten-fold) due to the many automatic
features that replace previously manual drafting
operations. Furthermore, the steps involved in
implementing late design changes will be significantly
reduced due to the fact that the database is aware of
the interrelation between parts and changes linked parts
automatically.
For example, moving a tanktop up will adjust the
height of all frame plate parts under it as those were
automatically linked to the tanktop during the design
stage. Similarly, exchanging one frame hull trace for
another automatically updates all related frame parts,
may they be plates or stiffeners.
With the new DDROM, moving a tanktop
adjusts the height of all frame plate parts under it
automatically. Similarly, a hull trace
change updates
all related parts instantly.
For user comfort, the new DDROM feature can be
initially turned off until a certain level of comfort
has been reached. Yet, the user will still gain
significant time-savings from the much faster modeling
features.
Application Programming Interface (API)
ShipConstructor is well-known for its open design,
and many users have successfully interfaced the
ShipConstructor product model database with their ERP
(Enterprise Resource Planning), purchasing, and
accounting systems. With the 2006 release,
ShipConstructor will introduce a fully documented
Application Programming Interface (API) providing users
and third-party developers with an excellent tool for
automation and customization. It is the same API ARL’s
software developers are using in-house. The API will not
only provide secure access to the ShipConstructor
database, but, more importantly, provide users and
third-party developers with a stable interface to the
ShipConstructor database that will remain unchanged
regardless of any changes ARL’s developers make to the
ShipConstructor database. Thus users with tight
integrations to the ShipConstructor product model
database can rest assured their own applications will
still work after a ShipConstructor version upgrade.
ShipConstructor’s API opens secure
access to the product object model.
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