Envelopes - Introduction

Any compartmentation (internal bulkheads, decks and compartments) is generated within a particular Envelope definition. So before you can create any internal arrangement an envelope must be defined and then set as the current envelope.

An Envelope definition consists of:

• a Barehull (as a minimum) - the hull form shape,

• a Main Deck - which is used to trim away the upper portion of the Barehull,

• a list of Appendages, modelled surface objects, which are either added (positive components) or subtracted (negative components) from the Barehull. For example a cylinder primitive subtracted to represent a thruster tunnel.

The envelope’s definition can be altered at any time for updates to the barehull (a fairer surface may be available), main deck (a depth change) or appendages. The entire internal arrangement associated with the envelope can then be regenerated to reflect this change.

Multiple envelopes are used to allow compartmentation of sub volumes.

An envelope must be fully enclosed if compartmentation is to be produced, i.e. it has no holes. The integrity of the envelope can be checked by flashing (highlighting) any open edges by:

1. Selecting ID from the View toolbar or,

2. IDENTIFY FLASH from the graphics view’s pop-up menu item and then interactively picking the envelope.

   This check is generally first done on the surface to be used as the Barehull as it is the most likely source of any potential error. See Producing the Barehull.