Grasshopper at your feet
Te Rhino Development Team has launched the latest release of ‘Grasshopper’, the generative modelling tool for Rhino.
graphical algorithm editor integrated with Rhino’s 3D modelling tools. Unlike RhinoScript or other programming tools, Grasshopper requires no knowledge of programming or scripting, but still allows designers to build both simple and complex form generators. Rhino says that Grasshopper extends the company’s own modelling capacity “exponentially”, by making it possible for the user to automate tasks and create
F ACMA enhances with CFD
Alan C. McClure Associates (ACMA), of Texas, has expanded its analysis capabilities by acquiring a licence for STAR CCM+, the CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) package from CD Adapco. The purchase will allow ACMA to determine the effect of viscous flows and non-linear waves on vessel hulls and in internal tanks more accurately.
ACMA has also purchased a high-performance computing cluster, equivalent to 16 standard desktops to run the program and says it is to invest heavily in training and running test simulations of past projects. ACMA will now be able to perform analyses with CFD that previously relied solely on models tested in a towing tank. Adding CFD capability enables ACMA to have its own “virtual towing tank”, allowing analyses to be done quicker, at lower cost and earlier in the design cycle for maximum benefit to the client. The design process will still include tank testing as part of the programme, but the inclusion of a detailed CFD
package will allow testing to focus on confirmation of the analyses and will also provide the engineering team with a clearer picture of what they can expect to see in the model basin.
or designers exploring new shapes us ing generat ive algorithms, Grasshopper is a
their own scripting components. Rhino said that Grasshopper was
becoming more and more popular among designers willing to pass the limits of traditional 3D modelling. David Rut ten, Grasshopper ‘s
main developer, said: “Historically, programming has been an excellent tool for logical development, be it of software, art or buildings. However, most designers (and especial ly architects) do not have the luxury to learn programming. Over the years a number of software packages have been
released which, combine the strictness of programming with the visualness of 3D design. These programmes are typically referred to as Parametric Modellers (PM). Grasshopper is not like a typical PM; instead, it aims to strip all the insulation which separates the designer from the source code, to the point where freeform drawing, logical modelling and textual programming can be used simultaneously on a single project.” Grasshopper, formerly known as
Explicit History, is offered as a free download to all Rhino 4 users. NA
Aveva adds Sumitomo
Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering (SHI-ME) Co, Ltd has delivered its first ship to be designed using Aveva Marine engineering technology.
The Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd subsidiary started designing the 105,000dwt Jasmin Joy in April 2007, handing the oil tanker over to the owner in early April 2009. Masao Takekawa, director, SHI-ME, said: “Quality and efficiency of our design have been improved with Aveva
Marine. We at SHI-ME practice the ‘Toyota Production System’ concept, which will be enhanced with the aid of Aveva Marine. We believe these efficient solutions are key ingredients to success in today’s competitive and very challenging shipbuilding world.” Peter Finch, president, Aveva Asia Pacific, said that, since the launch of Aveva Marine, over 30 customers in Asia Pacific had subscribed.
The Naval Architect July/August 2009 51
Feature 2
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88