Creating a New Design

In order to begin a new design, you have to create a new Calc data file (CALC file). To do this, select FILE \ NEW or click on the appropriate icon and the New Design dialog will appear.

The new design is created by specifying the design name for the CALC file.

New Design Dialog.

When the New button is clicked, a Use Design dialog will be displayed for selecting the name of the geometry file.

All available geometry formats available within the project are displayed. The alternative design types (geometry formats) are as follows:

• Calculation Geometry (CXML file): This is the default and preferred format generated by Surface/Compartment

• Initial Design Geometry (XML file): The same format as the CXML file, but with the XML extension.

• Facet (FCT) file: This was originally the default format, but has now been replaced by the Geometry XML file.

• Geometry Data Store (GDS) file: This was originally the default format for SFOLDS and earlier versions of Calc. Starting with Initial Design release 4, this format was converted to facets on input, however this process created a lot of data, which in turn meant that calculations, were unnecessarily slow. M1 version 4, now uses the original portion data and only converts to facets as needed during calculations. This means that files are smaller and calculations faster.

• Britfair (BRI) file: This contains geometry data in the form of sections along the hull or compartment. Volumetric and other calculations will use a Simpsons type integration procedure. At present, only compartments that are symmetrical about the centreline can use this format.

• LoadMate Data files: If for some reason a geometry definition is unavailable, then it is possible to use tables of hydrostatics, bonjeans, tank calibrations, and Calc will use interpolation to obtain volumetric and other properties, in the same way as an onboard loading calculator such as LoadMate. The input data files have exactly the same format as those used in LoadMate, and you should refer to the LoadMate documentation for a detailed description of these. As Calc also outputs these files, examples can be readily generated. Calc will use information contained in the following files:

  • genpart.txt - general particulars,

  • hydrosta.txt - hydrostatic properties,

  • bonjean.txt - sectional area curves for the main hull,

  • crosscur.txt - KN cross curves,

  • fluidtnk.txt - tank calibrations,

  • lightwgt.txt - lightweight distribution.

  • Data should be given for a range of drafts, trims and heel angles, that encompasses the expected operating conditions for the vessel. When the SAVE button is clicked, a file open dialog box will appear and you should select all relevant files. The program will automatically extract data in the correct sequence.

Because of limitations with these alternative formats, several subsequently generated diagrams, 3D geometry views, and certain calculations, will be incomplete or simply not possible. It is still best to use a faceted definition from a Calculation Geometry (CXML). Geometry XML or Facet file.

At the same time as creating the CALC file, a copy of the master criteria file is automatically created by the system in the project directory.