boat design software

[jamesgrant]

So I've just googled and bookmarked a score of freebies.

But before I delve in, does anyone have a recommendation of what is good and what's not.

The purpose is to dabble - it's a hobby (isn't that how Adrian Thompson started off?)

I prefer catamarans or tri's.

I like to be different.

I have had a good education. I can build and still think a little.

I have read a lot of books on design, now I would like to try to VISUALIZE and if possible see quantitaive info fed back to me from the crazy ideas I shove into the computer.

See if I can come up with something elegant, seaworthy, buildable.

Dream on.

 

[Bajansailor]

Have a look at www.plyboats.com.
OK, not a freebie, but I think he is flogging copies for about 20 quid now.
Trouble is, it is a DOS program.
I bought a copy 10 years ago (for about US$ 150!), and thought it was wonderful - so easy to use, and so versatile.
I designed the hull lines for a few power cats that we built here in aluminium and steel using Plyboats, and it was brilliant for this - could make a DXF file and put it into autocad, and then send it to the NC plasma cutter at the Builders yard, which would then cut out all the shell plates, and the hull frames as well, once they were drawn up in Autocad.
And then my old computer (with Windows 3.1 on it!) finally died, and I could not find another computer old enough to still understand DOS.
It sort of works in Windows, but not very well - there are 'DOS converters' (right term?), but I have not had any luck with them, but then I am useless at the techie stuff.
Ray (the inventor of Plyboats) did say long ago that he was working on a Windows version, but I think he gave up in the end - it never happened.
Could any computer experts on here explain a bit more please about these DOS converter programs? I would love to be able to still use my program in Windows.

 

[Roberto]

although by no means a freebie, Rhino / Rhinoceros is one of the most widely used softwares

otherwise, spline weights/ducks are a much cheaper option, and they are invaluable in teaching *why* you are drawing a line/shaping the boat in that precise way /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jamesgrant]

Thank you

 

[jamesgrant]

Thankyou

 

[ThreeSummers]

Have you bookmarked this one: http://www.delftship.net/?

 

[CelebrityScandel]

Or FreeShip which was Delftship's predecessor and which many maintain is better and more readily available http://www.softpedia.com/get/Science-CAD/Freeship.shtml.

 

[office_sailor]

You could try formation design systems - they do a big range of software, most of which I think you can get a free working demo of. You could also try www.boatdesign.net - the forum has lots of useful links and free spreadsheets to work through.

 

[jamesgrant]

Nope, didn't find that - looks nice and colourful- thanks.

 

[jamesgrant]

Thank you - another one I didn't find.

 

[jamesgrant]

Yes, a massive site isn't it.

Some really gorgeous and interesting designs on there.