Efficient Modeling Through Replication

Version: ShipConstructor 2006
Module: Structure

ShipConstructor users have for a long time appreciated that they can replicate identical parts. An example of this is replicating parts in one frame to other frames in a parallel mid-body scenario. ShipConstructor 2006 with DDROM greatly improves this ability by bringing it to parts that are almost identical. In many cases frame plate parts are identical except for the hull trace. ShipConstructor 2006 handles this by maintaining identical relationships between construction lines. However, non-identical parts can also have one or more identical construction lines in addition to the non-identical construction lines, such as hull traces.

The advantage of this procedure compared to doing each separately or only replicating construction lines is that you have fewer parts to create and the parts are still linked. This means, for example, that if a construction line is moved to change a stiffener location, all the frames are updated.

Steps to deal with similar parts efficiently:

1. Define the plate part(s) on one side of the vessel for a single frame to complete detail (plates with stiffeners and faceplates). The plate parts need to be made from multiple construction lines, which could be intersections with decks or user construction lines that are drawn as AutoCAD lines.
2. Replicate only the plate parts to all similar frames. Construction lines, stiffeners and faceplates will be automatically included because of their relationship to the plate.
3. In the other frame drawings, you can now make the necessary changes such as swapping the hull trace. Any stiffener cutouts that are affected by the hull trace swap will be automatically updated.
4. Perform any other modifications as required, such as resizing lightening holes, shortening or lengthening stiffeners.
5. Change the assignment of the parts in the ProductHierarchy so that the parts belong to the correct assembly. At this point they will be automatically renamed.
6. Mirror all the parts about centerline.

Tip: Replicating mirrored parts will maximize the number of preserved relationships when changes are made.

- Mr. Jason Paterson, Senior Software Architect