Pos No

This group contains functions by which position numbers of panel parts can be set, modified and copied interactively.

Automatic setting of position numbers is not handled by any of the functions described below. for further information on how this can be achieved, please see the Auto Generation Number Setting documentation for details of autopos.

The general concept is that position numbers can be used to define a unique part within a certain scope. The term scope can be seen as a part of the ship, characterized by the sum of certain model parts (panels or blocks) and/or assemblies. This means that, within a certain scope, for example, all profiles with equal shape (within certain tolerances) and material can be supplied with the same position number.

Since parts of different types are usually handled separately (for example, plates / stiffeners / clips ), position numbers can be reused between part types. This means that a certain stiffener may be equipped with the same position number as a certain plate without risking conflicts.

The rules for determining whether or not the parts are equal are the same as the autopos module uses.

A position number can have a prefix and suffix containing non-digit characters surrounding an integer. The prefix/suffix are stored using the ‘general purpose strings’ attached to each part. This means that these strings cannot be used for any other purpose. To enable the use of prefix and suffix the environment variable SBH_AN_POSNO has to be set.

Common prerequisites for all functions are that:

• A drawing exists (except for Scope).

• A scope has been defined (except for Scope).

Since position numbers in most cases are required to be unique only among parts of the same type, the user will sometimes be prompted for a part type, that means, any of:

• Bracket

• Plate

• Profile (includes stiffeners, flanges and pillars)

• Clip

• Bracket stiffeners

This means that only parts of the specified type will be taken into consideration during that particular function.

In case there is a need to select for example, stiffeners only instead of the bundled choice Profile above, add the line:

PROF_BUNDLE=NO

in the Hull Modelling default file. This will allow the user to select any of the types Stiffener, Flange or Pillar instead of merely Profile.