ShipConstructor Releases New Software Version

ShipConstructor 2006 is First to Combine Parametric Modeling Tools and Relational Database

Victoria, Canada, Monday 31st July 2006

ShipConstructor Software Inc. (SSI CA), developer of the leading AutoCAD-based 3D product modeling and production planning software suite ShipConstructor, today announced the release of their latest software version: ShipConstructor 2006.

“Our Database Driven Relational Object Model™ (DDROM™) provides a quantum leap in the design for production process. ShipConstructor’s DDROM gives you flexibility and control by managing complex interactions between associated parts as well as creating transparency and collaboration in the shipbuilding process,” said Rolf G. Oetter, president and CEO.

“Reacting to our clients’ needs, our software team had the ingenious idea of marrying the power of a relational database with parametric functionality – an industry first,” Oetter added. “These benefits are raising the bar for the efficiencies that can be achieved with shipbuilding software. The DDROM is consistent with ShipConstructor’s philosophy of being intuitive and easy to use.”

DDROM: Introducing SmartParts™

“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.

ShipConstructor's SmartParts "know" how they are created and related.

“Our goal has always been to make our software more parametric and our team has come up with an easy and intuitive way of doing it,” said Oetter. “The feedback from our beta testers has confirmed that we have found a novel approach that is easy to learn and use where other systems have failed after years of development and high investments. The DDROM confirms our motto that ‘We go the extra nautical mile,’ and we certainly did with version 2006.”

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.

The ability to react to design changes quickly with DDROM now enables the designer to use ShipConstructor much earlier in the design process. Designers can use ShipConstructor to quickly generate 2D classification drawings from the 3D early design model and be off to a running start when it becomes time to start the detail production design. 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 DDROM, you can now use ShipConstructor early in the design process.

Onward and Upward

“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.”

Software companies are encouraged to join the fast growing ShipConstructor Developer Network (SCDN) to develop special marine applications leveraging on the power of the ShipConstructor software.

“Innovation is a continual process; we are already working on more new features for the 2006 version and beyond. AutoCAD 2007 compatibility is planned for early next year,” said Steve Ivison, project manager, software development. “We also plan to release Project Split & Merge this fall. This new function will allow yards and designers to cooperate on a new level in a safe and controlled manner. It will be easy to outsource parts of a design job to subcontractors or to perform a timed release of a project from a design company to the shipyard. Coming from the shipbuilding industry, I can truthfully say that this product is created for the users and with the users.”