Macro Wiring Hoses

This macro makes simple models of the hulls of boats and ships. It is intended to aid people modeling or designing hulls by providing the hull surface in a straight forward and timely fashion so they can avoid the time consuming full process.



Installation
All the code for halfHullModel.FCMacro is in one macro. So installation is comprised of copying the code to the appropriate Macro directory and invoking the Build Utility from the Macro menu, the Python console or a toolbar button (the preferred method).
 * see Macro_Install_HowTo for information on how to install this macro code
 * see Customize_ToolsBar for information how to install as a button on a toolbar

Sample Files
These files are samples of Sketch data to use with the macro, mainly they are the models for the screen snapshots in the Options section above. The files work with the

Remarks

 * almost all the examples on this page are generated with only 3 line segments defining the side of the hull which gives a very faceted appearance, increasing the number of segments in each Sketch would generate a much smoother surface which would increase the realsism
 * doesn't do keels, skegs or rudders, in other words, it doesn't do any of the wet area
 * doesn't do square bows like push-boats or towed barges
 * doesn't do submarines (although it will do the lower half of a submarine)

Known Problems
The 'Ruled Surface' feature of FreeCAD is used to generate the hull sections from the Sketches. It can sometimes generate the wrong result and display a grater like surface instead of a smooth planar one. This will typically occur when the Sketches are rotated such as when a Sugar Scoop stern is modeled. Also angling a Sheer Transom stern can cause this. If it occurs then typically it will do so in either the half-hull models or the complete hull model - it never seems to occur in all three models for the same hull. Also it usually only happens at the extreme bow or stern. If it happens to section in the middle of the boat then most likely one of the Sketches was drawn in the wrong direction (i.e. either random sequence or top-down where as all lines should be drawn bottom-up)

It can usually be removed by using the following steps:
 * in the Model tab of the Combo View, click on the faulty segment to select it, the faulty segment will show as highlighted on the display
 * select the Data tab on the bottom half of the Combo View, the lower part of the window will have a Label "Ruled Surface" with a single parameter 'Orientation'
 * there is a popup menu to the right which has the values 'Automatic', 'Forward', 'Reversed', it will initially be set to 'Automatic'
 * try one of the other settings (remembering the faulty segment must still be selected in the upper part of the Combo View) which will usually correct the problem

The following screen snapshot shows the relevant portion of the screen:



Links

 * Half Hull Model Ship (Wikipedia)
 * Why Half Hulls (Maritime Half Hull Ship Models and Nautical Art website)
 * Traditional Model Yacht Design (US Vintage Model Yacht Group)