Boat design software

[martinriches]

I would like to play around with designing a smallish 10-12m displacement motor boat over the winter months. I am looking for software that allows me to just sketch out a design for the moment.

Martin

 

[jfm]

I would like to play around with designing a smallish 10-12m displacement motor boat over the winter months. I am looking for software that allows me to just sketch out a design for the moment.

Martin

SolidWorks 3D is nice. It doesn't design boats specifically, no software does that afaik, you have to do it.

 

[MYAG]

I would like to play around with designing a smallish 10-12m displacement motor boat over the winter months. I am looking for software that allows me to just sketch out a design for the moment.

Martin

Try this forum, all the info and more there.......... http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/

 

[petem]

Google sketchup?

Pete

 

[safenafe]

Try Maxsurf. Its a hull design software program.

you can get an academic version here:

http://www.formsys.com/academic/maxsurf/

 

[martinriches]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Very helpful.

Martin

 

[rafiki_]

There are any number of CAD packages available, most started by the aeronautical industry, but these are seriously expensive, and take a fair bit of training to master. AutoCad is the cheapest and easiest to use, but misses the functionality of the more integrated packages. For styling (is that what you mean by design?), then Alius is the package of choice.

Not sure of your age, but if you are anywhere near a University, they usually have some CAD and Styling packages available for students to use.

 

[martinriches]

I cant find Alius on google another spelling maybe? I use Autocad at work but I was looking for something to work out some ideas. I have a great boat at the moment [Albin25]. Thinking of when I retire I would like something bigger so we can spend more time on it but cant find anything I like. So I am thinking about perhaps a off the shelf hull and design the interior and superstructure myself.

Martin

 

[rafiki_]

I cant find Alius on google another spelling maybe? I use Autocad at work but I was looking for something to work out some ideas. I have a great boat at the moment [Albin25]. Thinking of when I retire I would like something bigger so we can spend more time on it but cant find anything I like. So I am thinking about perhaps a off the shelf hull and design the interior and superstructure myself.

Martin

OK, it sounds like you want to focus on the packaging first, so Autocad is probably the best bet. Once you have the package, give the task to a Design Student (RCA or Cov Uni) to produce the best style as a final year project. Unless you are a budding stylist?

 

[CMJ]

Have a look at AutoDesk Inventor. If you use AutoCAD (by AutoDesk too) then you might have easy access to it. I use Inventor daily and it's shipped also with AutoCAD included.

As AutoCAD is pretty rubbish at 3D, compared to modern parametric modelers, my 1st choice if taking on a project like yours would def be to use Inventor (very similar BTW to other mid-range 3D CAD packages like Solidworks / Solid Edge / Pro-E etc).

I'm pretty sure you can get a 30 day free trial of Inventor, so might be worth dipping your toes with it.