How to export and share a 3D model

As a shipbuilding engineer, you will often need to share your 3D model with colleagues, clients, or other stakeholders. To ensure efficient and effective communication, it is essential to follow best practices when exporting and sharing your model. This article outlines key considerations and provides guidance on how MasterShip functionalities can support these practices.

Did you know that a single large ship's 3D model can contain millions of polygons? That's a lot of data to manage!

Exporting and sharing a 3D model in MasterShip

Here are some of the best practices, and how MasterShip supports.

• Decide what to include and exclude: You need to decide what to include and exclude from your model. This will depend on the specific needs of the recipient. For example, if you are sharing the model with a supplier, you may only need to include the parts that they are responsible for manufacturing. The AutoCAD command XREF allows you to selectively include or exclude drawings from the assembly for tailored sharing.
• Ensure data completeness and correctness: Once you have decided what to include, you need to ensure that all of the data is complete and correct. This will help to prevent miscommunications and overhead. You can use the SHIPSYNCHRONIZEPROJECTFOLDERS function to ensure that all part and stiffener data is registered correctly in the project database. The SHIPPARTS2SOLID and SHIPSTIFFENER2SOLID functions can be used to ensure that all solids from the parts and stiffeners are existent.
• Choose the appropriate file format: When you are ready to export the model, you need to choose the appropriate file format. The file format should be compatible with the intended recipient's software and the purpose of sharing. For example, if they are using Siemens NX and want to edit your model, you might need to export the model as a JT file. 

The MasterShip Model Exchanger supports exporting to various file formats while preserving essential part and stiffener data, which is often lost in conventional AutoCAD exports.

• Choose the appropriate tool: You need to choose the appropriate tool for sharing the model. This will depend on the goal of the sharing. For example, if you are sharing the model for review purposes, you may want to use a viewer such as the Workshop Assistant or AutoCAD Viewer. The article 'Tools to share your 3D model' helps you in selecting the right tool.

Output and next steps

By following these best practices, you can ensure that your 3D models are exported and shared effectively. This way you promote clear communication and collaboration within your shipbuilding project.