Most of the ship design methods based on prototypes. Very often we save our time by copy and modify previous projects. A prototype can be very useful for rapid hull surface modifications. Shape Maker from the beginning designed as software for making changes in the hull shape very quickly and very predictable way. There are several different functions for hull surface transformation in Shape Maker. All of these functions can be divided into three different groups:
1. Scale transformation for complete hull model or part of it.
This is the most simple way to get some start point for your new design. A model can be scaled in any direction with different scale factors. Previously faired surface will just be scaled and keep shape quality. But we have to keep in mind, that some of the transformations will change shape not as we want. For example, different scale factors in transverse view can make bilge elliptical shape instead of cylindrical. Some important dimensions like fore and aft limits of the parallel midbody will not be exactly on the frame spacing, stem, and stern-post flat bar dimension will be also transformed. All these problems can be fixed quite quickly manually. Surfaces in the model connected to each other, if they have a common edge. Modification of the edge is a kind of way to adjust surfaces to correct dimensions. After modification of the edge between two surfaces, they will follow the modification. By the way, all these changes take minutes and let you get the preliminary model very quickly.
2. Lengthening of the vessel.
Very often lengthening is used in fishing vessels design. It is nice to keep unchangeable fore and aft parts of the vessel, but add several meters of the length in the parallel mid-body area. In this case possible to keep all steel structure in fore and aft of the ship the same as before. It works fine if the mid body area is previously defined on the original hull shape. As usual fishing vessel has racing of keel and, if we will use scaling of the model, we will have a different racing angle. Move block function perfectly fit for this type of transformation. By moving fore ship block along the racing line it's easy to get necessary result.
3. Moving blocks limits.
Another transformation possibility is to move for example fore or aft limits of the parallel midbody. In this case, we change shape, but add or remove some volume. It is possible to set up a surface modification area affected by these changes.
A similar transformation can be done with any surface boundary line.
4. Changing flat bottom or rake of keel angle.
