How to define sectional drawings and the assembly

This article explains how to define sectional drawings and the assembly based on an imported shape model. Sectional drawings are fundamental to ship design, providing a detailed view of a vessel's construction at specific locations. They serve as the foundation for designing the vital components like plates and stiffeners.

To define these sectional drawings, intersections are created at designated positions on the 3D model, aligning with the locations of frames, longitudinals, and horizontals. These positions originate from classification rules, engineering requirements, and shipyard standards.

How to define sectional drawings and the assembly in MasterShip

This video shows how to make sectional drawings in MasterShip from the software perspective. Next to that, we have listed some of the best practices in the shipbuilding industry from the engineering perspective, and how MasterShip functionalities apply below.

• Defining orthogonal positions and directions: Use the Assembly Wizard from the Organiser to set the positions and directions of the orthogonal drawings. The Wizard guides you through this process and allows you to specify (frame) positions individually or by intervals.

In MasterShip, an interval can be defined using the standard [xx..yy, zz]. This defines an interval from 'xx' to 'yy' with a position at every 'zz'th step in millimeters.

Setting the thickness direction of the sectional drawings is also done in the Assembly Wizard. This can be adjusted later if needed in the Assembly Manager.

• Set the starting position: Start the first frame at a logical position, such as the rudderpost or stern. The Wizard allows you to define the starting frame number.

• Make use of drawing templates: Templates can give reference to the individual sectional drawings by e.g. showing the midship and baseline. In step 6/7 from the Assembly Wizard you can set your templates. MasterShip provides standard templates (general settings folder), but you can also create and set your own.

• Make use of drawing units: Drawing units can be used to keep things organized. Those drawings units can be similar to the production units / sections, but that doesn't have to be. If you choose to have drawing units, then the Assembly Wizard in MasterShip makes a separate folder structure for each drawing unit. This is step 7/7 in the Assembly Wizard and can be skipped.

• Create the assembly: All the sectional drawings combined into one 3D file form 'the assembly'. When done with the Assembly Wizard, go back to MasterShip/AutoCAD and use the command SHIPASSEMBLYMANAGER to start creating the assembly.

Other considerations

• Hull shape input: Use either one or both sides of the hull shape model. In the Assembly Wizard, the box "MSD contains both halves of the model" in the should be checked if applicable. If left un-checked, MasterShip will automatically mirror a single side.

• Defining non-orthogonal drawings: In MasterShip, defining these non-orthogonal drawings can be defined after creating the assembly. The non-orthogonal drawings are created in assembly.dwg using the Assembly Manager. In this article is explained how to do it.

Output and Next Steps

Following these best practices will result in an assembly containing empty sectional drawings. The next step is to design the basic construction within these sections using MasterShip's functionalities.