



When the design is all set, it can be exported as a set of coordinates (offsets) that can be traditionally lofted into full scale patterns, or the design can be rendered as a. There is also a convenient “VRML” button that creates virtual models that can be viewed in 3-D using a simple web browser plug-in, which is a huge benefit when sketching out ideas and trying to anticipate their final form…you can “fly” around and actually get inside your designs.
Touchcad demo limitations download#
Hulls can be drawn up easily from scratch, and the free download includes a large number of design files for all manner of hulls that may or may not be suitable as is, or can be tweaked and reconfigured both via direct input of beam/length/displacement data and in the drawing mode via moving splines and control points.Īs these changes are made, the program automatically updates Center of Buoyancy, Center of Lateral Area, Waterline and other data, all of which can be determined at various angles of pitch and heel as well in salt or fresh water. HULLS – Carlson’s “Hulls” design program is simple and intuitive to operate, but has a number of advanced features that make it a very useful tool for anyone wanting to design and test chined hull shapes and build them. Here’s a brief overview of some of the many programs and technologies available that should be of special interest to small trimaran designers/builders and others interested in expanding their ability to visualize and create their concepts. Happy reading … and many thanks to Ian for putting this info together for all of us!Ĭomputer aided design/manufacturing has gone from a tool only available to well-funded engineering departments and manufacturers to something freely available to anyone with a home computer and the desire to learn. And the links Ian provides below really get one’s imagination going. Thinking about what is actually happening in order to drive a boat as it moves through the water is absolutely fascinating. While it’s geared especially for anyone thinking about designing their own hulls at some point, I think many boat lovers (especially multihullers) are going to enjoy this material.Įvery sailor can benefit from added understanding of hull shapes. Small trimaran enthusiast Ian McGehee provides us with some fabulous information in this post.
