Direction

The direction defines the spatial orientation of a Marine model based on a 3D coordinate system, where:

• X axis represents the longitudinal direction, from Minimum X to Maximum X,

• Y axis represents the transverse direction, from Minimum Y to Maximum Y,

• Z axis represents the vertical direction, from from Minimum Z to Maximum Z.

The model uses consistent direction conventions to describe the minimum and and maximum extrema for each axis. These conventions support functions such as defining valid placement for direction labels. For more information, refer to Production - Directions - Guide Diagram table in Production Design.

The direction extrema are predefined as follows:

Example of direction labelling

A stiffener can have its main direction defined as FOR, a plate side defined as PS, and an offset applied towards TOP or SB to control label placement.

Directions in panel definitions

You can define directions for panel components in several ways. When you update a panel, each defined direction evaluates to a direction in the 3D space.

Different definition methods can produce the same result. However, the result may change, if you modify the panel or its surroundings, or if you clone the panel. Therefore, choose the direction definition carefully. When you define a direction, ask the following questions:

• What should this direction depend on?

• Why do I need this specific direction?

The type of direction definition is also important when you use templates for panels and brackets.

Direction relative to global axes

Define the direction explicitly in the global coordinate system. The evaluated direction is always the same as the defined direction.

Direction relative to the center line

Define the direction relative to the center line (CL) plane. The direction points toward or away from the CL plane.

System defined direction

The direction is system-defined (referred to as System), or the opposite direction (Reverse). The exact meaning depends on the model type and a specific property. For example, if you set the trace direction of a plane cut stiffener to System, the direction follows the curve generated by the internal geometry routines. Typically, this direction runs from a lower to a higher coordinate value along the global axes.