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Basic design model of a 130m RoPax ferry created with HiLTop (courtesy of Flensburger Shipyard)
The HiLTop module houses functions that add a new dimension to topology, taking the concept to a higher level and
successfully bringing great flexibility to structural ship design. The user can now set up special dependencies throughout
the ship that can be controlled and maintained from a single location. This allows the user to make massive changes to the
ship without spending countless hours on it.
High level topology is convenient especially in the basic design phase of a project because it allows gaining full control over
the basic structural layout of the ship. Changing the basic 3D model used for creating class and arrangement drawings has
never been so easy.
The two main entities that the HiLTop module introduces are known as ‘Parameters’ and ‘Reference planes’.
Parameters
Parameters are special variables that the user can define in a single table, assign unique names to and then use for creating
views and constructions everywhere in the ship. When modeling a construction, the user can now create dependencies
with these variables that can be modified at any given time. A variable can be as simple as a single number or as advanced
as a complex mathematical expression. The user can thus add conditions to the variables. He can even automate them by
creating dependencies between the variables as well. As a result, the user can set up an entire system where modifying just
one parameter will change every key construction in the ship while automatically taking all of the conditions into account.
Reference planes
The use of reference planes is an alternative method of topology. A reference plane is an “invisible” flat surface that is used
as a topological reference structure for defining plate construction. It contains user-defined properties, such as material
and thickness values, that the construction can inherit upon creation. Reference planes are stored in the hull shape
database, which makes them easily accessible from anywhere in the project.
Because the plane of a future plate and its common properties are predetermined by its reference plane, the process of
creating a plate construction becomes a lot quicker for the detail engineer. An additional advantage is that along with the
plate construction, the associated views are also connected to their respective reference planes. This ensures that all
construction items related to reference planes and their views will follow any changes made to the reference planes at any
given time.
Using parameters and reference planes gives the user extra flexibility in the total design phase.
Grids
Another aspect that brings topology to a higher level is the new grid definition system. Grids are topological in a way similar
to parameters and reference planes; their values can be modified afterwards. With a simple recalculation of all construction
items in a block, everything is adapted to the new grid values. In addition to the existing grid functions, the new Grid
Manager allows multiple grid definitions for simultaneous use in the same projects. The grid supports more than one grid
definition in all directions, even in length, and it is possible to define completely arbitrary grids. The Grid Manager provides
the user with multiple possibilities for defining and modifying grids. As with parameters, the structural design user is
presented with a list of available grids when he triggers the need for it.
Arbitrary grid definitions can be given an additional boost in topology by linking them to reference planes. Defining such
reference planes with use of parameters results in parametric grids; a highly flexible coordinate system to which
construction items can be related.
Using the new reference planes and parameters with HiLTop, together with the other new functions in CADMATIC Hull such
as the grid definition system and the mother-child template system, makes basic design more flexible than ever before.