Global and Local Coordinate Systems

Global and local coordinate systems define how component positions are stored and displayed in Hull Design. Local coordinates place components relative to a panel, which helps keep their placement correct when the panel moves or is cloned.

Global Coordinate System

The Gobal Coordinate System (GCS) defines positions by using the model-wide X, Y, and Z axes. A position defined in global coordinates is fixed in the overall model space. Use global coordinates when you want to place a component at a fixed position in the overall model.

Local Ccordinate System

A Local Coordinate System (LCS) defines positions relative to a specific panel. A position defined in local coordinates uses the axes of the panel that owns the component. In Hull Design, local coordinates can use panel-relative values such as U and V instead of global X, Y, and Z values. Use local coordinates when you want the component to stay aligned with the panel that owns it. If the panel moves, the stiffener moves with it because the local position stays the same relative to the panel.

When you clone a panel, the clone also handles the local coordinate system. For cloned panels, the coordinate system is transformed for the clone and the local coordinates of the components stay unchanged. This means the component keeps the same location relative to the cloned panel, even though the cloned panel has a different position or orientation in the overall model.