Block Object

Like the hull structure object the block objects do not carry any actual model information, except the location of its surrounding box in space. It is essentially a structure building object, referred to from the Hull Structure object and itself referring to the panels that belong to the block.

The blocks may be created as a feature of the inithull module or in a function of the Structural Design application. A block object is automatically updated each time a panel is created, modified or deleted.

The designer never really interacts with the block objects except when they are created. However, the block may be used as the "handle" by which information from the hull model is extracted in various situations.

When a block is created it is necessary to define its (rough) extension ("box") in space. The panels belonging to a block should preferably be located entirely within this box. The boxes of different blocks may overlap.

The same block may include panels both on portside and on starboard. If a block is restricted to a side section (for example, a side tank) its extension should be restricted to its extension on portside. Panels valid for the starboard side (and even those modelled and stored on starboard) may nevertheless belong to this block. Thus a block can always contain panels within its explicitly defined block but also panels within the box when mirrored in the centre line plane.

A block over the center line should be defined with its true extension.