Copy and Clone Concept

The cloning and copying of panels are processes where the definition data is adjusted to a new position in the design and is then recreated to generate a new outcome. In the simple case, the original model references can be used, that is when copying a floor panel bounded by the shell and the tank top along the ship. If the copying requires different model references to get a correct shape, then the involved surfaces need to be connected. This is done by updating the element reference stored in attribute Origrf. The surface which we aim to use in the new position (copying to) shall have this attribute set to the surface used in the original panel position.

The clone concept is extending the copying of panels by registering and using the connection between the copied panels. Modifications to one of the clones is by default propagating to all other connected cloned panels. If individual changes shall be made, the user needs to activate single mode editing which breaks the connection for specified hull components in the modified panel. All cloned panels have a full definition and the single panel edited hull component will use its own definition without affecting any of the clones.

Deleting a cloned panel or a hull component on a cloned panel will automatically rearrange the registered connections making all remaining connections between all cloned panels still valid.

The relation between the cloned panels and their individual hull components is illustrated by the picture below.

You can at any time query if a panel has any clones. This is done by querying the Hascln attribute on the panel element UPANEL.

To add all panels or components that belong to the same clone chain to the 3D view, in the Model Explorer, right-click a clone item, and then select Add Cloned from the 3D View menu.