Design Reuse

Design Reuse is a tool that simplifies the process of copying design data between projects, enabling reuse of existing design work. Data is not copied as-is, but is re-generated and adapted to the design context of the target project.

Design Reuse operates through an export–import workflow, placing intermediate storage in a Transfer Set.

The source project (A) gets exported to the Transfer Set (B), which gets imported to the target project (C).

Transfer Set

A Transfer Set is an intermediate container used to transfer design data between projects. It does not store binary data. Instead, it contains data definitions derived from the original design data. There are no restrictions on what type of design data an application can export.

During export, the system extracts data definitions from the design data and stores them in the Transfer Set. During import, it uses these definitions to re-create the design data in the target project. In addition to data definitions, the Transfer Set also contains information required to maintain design data references and to perform name adjustments to ensure compatibility with the target project.

The export process creates the Transfer Set as a folder, which includes several files and subfolders that define and support the transferred data. This includes:

• A Transfer Set control file (.xml)

• Data definition files (.dtl, .sdb, etc.)

• Reference maintenance files (.lis)

• An export log file (.xml)

The import process uses the Transfer Set folder, and the system then creates a time-stamped subfolder within it. This subfolder contains:

• Data definition files adjusted for the target project (suffixed with _PP)

• Reference maintenance files adjusted for the target project (suffixed with _PP)

• An import log file (.xml)

Transfer Item

A Transfer Item represents an entity managed by Design Reuse. A Transfer Item can be a model object or a drawing.

The format of the data definition depends on the type of Transfer Item. Some Transfer Item types may support multiple formats. Common formats include .dtl (datal), .xml, .sdb, and .til.

The following elements are enabled for Design Reuse:

• FNCAAR - Functional Area Arrangements

• FNCCAR - Functional Curve Arrangements

• SPMSA - Space Arrangements

• ICRCUR – Common Reference Curves

• ICRPNT – Common Reference Points

• SRFSUR - Surfaces

• UPANEL - Hull Panels

• Outfitting Models

• Drawings

Each supported element is handled as an individual Transfer Item. This shows the level of granularity at which data is managed and transferred.

Naming convention considerations

In the Transfer Set, internal database references are converted into name references. To ensure compatibility with the target project, Design Reuse provides a customizable name-change mechanism that is applied during a pre-processing step during import.

Reference Adaptation

Design Reuse preserves references wherever possible during import. This includes:

• Updating references to the imported element.

• Updating references from the imported element.

Prerequisites for Design Reuse

To ensure successful operation, the following prerequisites must be met.

Source project:

• All selected elements for export must have names.

Target project:

• The following foundational data must be available:

  • Grid system

  • Catalogue

  • Backing sheets