Autoh

hydro ®

For Windows®

User’s Manual
Release 6.3

Autoship Systems Corporation

Suite 1451 - 409 Granville Street
Vancouver BC Canada V6C 1T2
Copyright  2008 Autoship Systems Corporation
Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation
AutoCAD® is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc.
Information contained in this document is subject to change without further notice.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express permission
of Autoship Systems Corporation.
Copyright  2008 Autoship Systems Corporation. All rights reserved.

Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. AutoCAD is a

registered trademark of Autodesk Inc. All other product names are trademarks,
registered trademarks, or service marks of their respective owners. Autoship
Systems Corporation cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. In addition,
terms suspected of being trademarks, registered trademarks, or service marks
have been appropriately italicized. Use of a term in this book should not be
regarded as a validity of any trademark, registered trademarks, or service mark.

Autoship Systems Corporation

Suite 1451
409 Granville Street
Vancouver BC Canada V6C 1T2

Tel: (604) 254-4171

Fax: (604) 254-5171
www.autoship.com
Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Getting Started 1

Introduction 1

What Autohydro Can Do for You 2

System Requirements 3

Installing Autohydro 3
System Initialization - Installation Wizard
ASC Program Authorization
Autohydro Setup Program
Lock Settings

Starting and Exiting Autohydro 5

Updating Autohydro 5

Chapter 2 - About the Program 7

Introduction 7

How Autohydro Works 8

Parts of the Program
Modelmaker
Autohydro
Commands

Key Concepts and Terms 11

File Types
Geometry Files
Data Hierarchy
Part

i
 Component
Shape
Stations and Points
Co-ordinate System
Units
Using Files from GHS/BHS
Typical Job Flow

Chapter 3 - A Quick Sailthrough of Autohydro 17

Introduction 17

Modelmaker 18
Start Modelmaker
Create a Part
Create Component 1
Shape Component 1
Create Shaped Component 2
Join Components
Save the File

Autohydro 24
Start Autohydro and Find Lightship Displacement
Add Deck Cargo and Find Resultant Drafts
Generate and Print a Report

Chapter 4 - Tutorials 29

Introduction 29

Tutorial 1 - Modelmaker Project Using Menus and Screens 30

Add Tanks to the Barge Created in the Quick Sailthrough.
Create Sounding Tubes for the Cargo Tanks
Create a Deckhouse

Tutorial 2 - Running Autohydro Using Menus and Screens 39

Find Hydrostatics, Cross-Curves and Hull Data

ii
 Find Drafts for a Given Weight and Center of Gravity

Tutorial 3 - Modelmaker Project Using Command Files 42

Create a Barge, LOLLIPOP.GF1

Tutorial 4 - Running Autohydro Using Commands 45

Obtain Basic Output from LOLLIPOP.GF1

Tutorial 5 - Modelling a Vessel Using Modelmaker Commands 46

Load a Command File
Load a Second Command File

Tutorial 6 - How to Produce a Stability Book in Autohydro 48

Load a RUN File

Tutorial 7 - How to Assess Damage Stability in Autohydro 50

iii
Contact Information
There are two main ways to contact Autoship Systems Corporation:
• Contact our technical support department for technical assistance.
• For other inquiries, contact our head office.

Technical Support:
Our technical support department is available for direct telephone inquiries on
weekdays from 08:00 to 17:00 Pacific Standard Time. You can also fax or email
questions at any time:

Tel: (+1) 604 254 4171 (Extension 104)

Fax: (+1) 604 254 5171
Email: [email protected]

Contacting Autoship's Head Office:

If you would like more information about Autoship Systems Corporation and our
products, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

Tel: (+1) 604 254 4171

Fax: (+1) 604 254 5171

Autoship Systems Corporation

Suite 1451 - 409 Granville Street
Vancouver BC Canada V6C 1T2

Email: [email protected]
Web Site: www.autoship.com
 Getting Started

Chapter 1
Getting Started

Introduction

This manual is interactive in nature, and is designed for use with

Autohydro running.

Later in Chapter 1 we will tell you how to install and run Autohydro, but
first let's look at how to use this manual:

To make the best use of this manual, first read the next section, “What Autohydro
Can Do for You”. Then read section “How Autohydro Works”, which discusses
basic concepts and terms that you need to understand to work effectively with
Autohydro. Next, take the guided tour, “A Quick Sailthrough”. Then, you can learn
and practice other features of the program by running through the tutorials
presented in section 4. You will find it best to follow the sequence given and not
jump ahead or do the tutorials at random because we are trying to progress from
simple and easy tasks to increasingly complex ones.

In addition to this manual, you will find further information in the Help system
provided with the program.

1
 Chapter 1

What Autohydro Can Do for You

Autohydro has the capability to analyse the hydrostatic characteristics of any kind
of vessel under a wide variety of conditions. It is comprised of two main modules:

Modelmaker, is used to model any vessel, from kayaks to supertankers, and also
buoys, docks, storage tanks, drilling platforms and anything else that displaces
and/or contains fluids.

Autohydro, is used to perform hydrostatic and stability calculations, analyse

hydrostatic and stability characteristics for various loading conditions including
damage, produce graphic and text for reports such as stability books and tank
sounding tables.

Visit www.autoship.com for information on our full range of CAD/CAM products for
vessel design and construction.

2
 Getting Started

System Requirements
The following table shows the minimum and recommended system requirements
for running Autohydro.

Operating System Windows® 2000 Sp4

Windows XP Professional Sp2 or later
Windows Vista® Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate
Windows Server 2003
Processor Pentium®
Memory 256 MB
Video 1024 X 768 with True Color*
A video card with 8MB or more of memory and
hardware acceleration for OpenGL is recommended.
Hard Disk 100 MB Free

* Operation is possible at 256 colors, but for rendering to function

correctly 32k colors or more are needed.

Installing Autohydro
1. Place the CD in your computer.

2. In most cases an "autorun" feature will start the installation program auto-
matically; if it doesn't, then access the disk via either Windows Explorer or
the Start/Run commands, and double-click the Setup32.exe file.

3. A screen will open, listing all the applications available on the disk and the
ASC Program Authorization. Click the application you want to install. Note
that if you do not have a hardware lock pertaining to that application, you
will only be able to run the software in demo mode.

3
 Chapter 1

ASC Program Authorization

4. If you have not previously run the ASC Program Authorization from this CD
you will have to do so before the application will run with full feature.

The programs in the ASC CAD/CAM suite use an authorization system with a
hardware lock. A hardware lock is a small electronic device that attaches
either to the parallel or USB port of your computer. You need the hardware
lock in order for Autohydro to run in normal mode. Otherwise, the program will
run only in demo mode.

Keep the lock in a safe place when not in use. As outlined in the Licensing
Agreement, you are exclusively responsible for the hardware lock. You may be
required to purchase an additional software license if the hardware lock is lost
or stolen. An Authorization setup tailored for your installation was provided
with your shipment. You may also obtain the latest Authorization setup by
contacting Autoship Technical Support.
The Authorization setup will install the following components:
- the ASC authorization system files
- a Lock Settings utility application to allow you to configure the lock
- the lock drivers.
Before beginning the installation:
- remove the lock from the computer,
- close all running applications.

5. Accept the default installation location, or click Change to specify

another location.
Important Note: You must remove your USB lock key from the computer
before continuing with the installation.

6. Follow the remaining instructions to complete the installation.

4
 Getting Started

Autohydro Setup Program

7. When the Autohydro Setup program starts an information message will appear
first. Ensure all other Windows programs are closed, and click Next.

8. Accept the default installation location, or click Change to specify

another location.

9. Follow the remaining instructions to complete the installation.

Lock Settings

After installing the Authorization, you may wish to configure the lock using the
Lock Settings utility. The Lock Settings utility is installed with the authorization
system, you will find a shortcut to it on the Start Menu. You are not required to
make any changes to the settings, but if you want to optimize the time required
for the application to find your lock key, it is recommended that you enter the
following values:
- On the Servers tab, enter the name of the computer on which the lock is
attached next to each of the applications you have purchased.
- On the Lock Search Order tab, move the type of lock you have purchased
over to the Selected list.
Note that these settings hardwire where the lock system finds the lock, if the lock
moves to another computer these settings must be updated. If you clear the
settings the lock system attempts to find the lock key by searching all computers.

Starting and Exiting Autohydro

To start Autohydro, go to Start - Programs - Autoship and click the
Autohydro shortcut.

To start Modelmaker, go to Start - Programs - Autoship and click the

Modelmaker shortcut.

To start Print Parts, go to Start - Programs - Autoship and click the Print
Parts shortcut.

5
 Chapter 1

The fastest way to get going with Autohydro is to follow our "Quick Sailthrough"
(Chapter 3, this manual), and then to work your way through the tutorials starting
in Chapter 4 of this manual.

For advanced and complex projects, you should take an Autohydro training
course. Contact Autoship Systems, or your Autoship dealer for schedules and
locations of upcoming courses, or for customised training.

Updating Autohydro

When you update Autohydro, the installation procedure is the same as for a new
installation. All necessary program files are updated. No data you have saved will
be adversely affected by updating the installation.

6
 About the Program

Chapter 2
About the Program

Introduction

Chapter 2 introduces the Autohydro and Modelmaker modules. It discusses how

the programs work and how to operate them. Since key concepts and terminology
are discussed, it is important that new users read this section.

7
 Chapter 2

How Autohydro Works

Parts of the Program

The Autohydro program is composed of three modules:

• Modelmaker
• Autohydro
• GF Print

This manual focuses on the first two modules, Modelmaker and Autohydro.
Modelmaker is used to create and edit the vessel models. Autohydro uses
the model produced in Modelmaker to calculate the hydrostatic
characteristics of the vessel. Each program module has its own sets
screens, functions and commands.

A vessel model, or Geometry File (GF) is merely a collection of groups of 2D

cross sections, and their associated attributes, which define the entire model.
Each group or "part" describes a particular piece of the vessel model, such as the
hull or a compartment.

In both Modelmaker and Autohydro you can work using pull-down menus and/or
commands. Simple modelling and calculations by using the menus is
demonstrated in the guided tour ("A Quick Sailthrough") provided in this manual
while the full set of menus and commands is described in the On-Line Help.

Modelmaker

Modelmaker is used to create and edit the vessel model. The main screen
displays the model graphically and also shows the co-ordinates of the vertices
that make up the model. Various tools allow you to create and edit the parts and
components which define the model.
A model is created by defining parts and their constituent components. A part is
best thought of as an individual entity which you will want to work with seperately

8
 How Autohydro Works

in Autohydro. For instance, you would likely model each fuel tank as a part, but
would not group all the fuel tanks under one part. The part takes on attributes
such as a name, side factor (Center, Port or Starboard), class (Displacer,
Container or Sail), contents and specific gravity. Any number of parts can be
created, but one of them must be named Hull. Without a part called Hull
Autohydro cannot process the GF. Next, for each part, you define the physical
shape, or volume, of the part by creating a component, or group of components,
and assign further attributes, such as side designation and permeability.
Modelmaker supplies several given basic forms, e.g., Box, Cylinder, etc. for which
you define the extents to build your model. The shape of the component may be
modified graphically, or by editing it's actual co-ordinates. One component may
be joined to another component within the part to form a single, complex volume.
You can also fit, or trim, components with each other. By repeating this process of
creating, shaping, joining and fitting you end up with a complete model of the
vessel.

Autohydro

Using the model created in Modelmaker, Autohydro calculates various hydrostatic

values for given conditions. The vessel's current situation is shown graphically in
three different views on the screen, and also as text and values in the
Hydrostatics window.

You can analyse the model in three distinct ways, or modes:

Given You Can Find

draft, trim and heel weight, center of gravity
weight(s) draft, trim, heel
waterline(s) vessel characteristics

Autohydro is run by issuing commands, either by selecting them from a menu,

typing them in or "running" a file containing commands. Putting together the
appropriate sets of instructions allows you to analyse the model in several
different conditions.

9
 Chapter 2

Various reports describing the characteristics or stability of the vessel are

available by using the appropriate pull down menu or command. By assembling
the reports in the right order, you can produce a stability book.

Commands

Both Modelmaker and Autohydro can be controlled either by using pull down
menus or by commands (instructions) issued by the user.
In Modelmaker, commands can be grouped together using the program's text
editor and saved as a "COMMAND" (.CMD) file. The command file is then run as
a batch file and used to the create vessel model. Using commands is a
convenient technique for modelling vessels because you can easily change the
configuration of the model or correct mistakes just by editing the command file
and re-running it instead of re-creating the model detail by detail as in the
interactive (pull-down menu) mode. Often the best approach to create a model
uses a mixture of the two methods.

A command file is also useful when tasks are repeated. For example, when you
have to model similar tanks, one tank definition can be copied, pasted and edited
to create others.

In Autohydro, you can either group commands as a "RUN" file using the
program's text editor, or type individual commands on the command line on
the main screen. When run, the RUN file simply instructs Autohydro to
perform a certain set of calculations upon the currently loaded vessel model.
Often a mixture of single commands and running a .RUN file is the best
approach to accomplish a given task.

10
 Key Concepts and Terms

Key Concepts and Terms

File Types

In addition to Geometry files, each program uses other special file formats:

Modelmaker

• .CMD (Command): used to create and edit the vessel model.

Autohydro

• .CD (Condition): information for a vessel loading condition.

• .CRI (Criterion): stability criteria to be used for stability assessment.

• .LIB (Library): of user-defined macro commands.

• .RUN (Run): a set of commands that Autohydro uses to set conditions and
perform calculations.

• .SAV (Save): geometry file and information to reconstruct the loading, crite-
ria, and settings currently in effect.

Geometry Files

A GF (Geometry File) contains all the information about the geometry of the
vessel, represented in detail appropriate for hydrostatic calculations. It describes
the volumes of the hull and various compartments, their permeabily and the
contents and specific gravity they hold, or displace. Each volume to be modeled
consists of a series of transverse sections, arranged in order from bow to stern.
By adjusting the permeability, deductions, such as reducing the hull volume to

11
 Chapter 2

compenstate for a bow thruster, can be made. Additionally, volumes which are not
considered watertight, but are to be used to for wind calculations can be defined.

Modelmaker and Autohydro will read any GF, including those produced by
Autoship as well as those created by GHS and BHS.

Data Hierarchy

The GF uses a hierarchical data structure which is broken down into:

i. Parts
ii. Components
iii. Shapes

Each part is made up of one or more components and each component is made
up of a shape. For instance, the hull normally consists of one part having several
components, such as the hull, keel, appendages and superstructure,.

This is how the GFs data structure is arranged:

Data Element Information Contained

Part A NAME TAG FOR AN ENTITY

name (includes side designator, .P, .S or .C)
class (Displacer, Container, Sail)
co-ordinates of the “reference point”
containers only:
substance (fluid contents and specific gravity)
sounding tube definition
references one or more components
Component the volume information
name (may include side designator)
permeability factor (negative = deducting)
shift vector
references a shape
Shape the geometrical description
name
x, y, z offsets of the component

12
 Key Concepts and Terms

There are two special considerations regarding GFs:

1. Every model has to have a part called HULL.

2. Every component must be attached to a part.

Part

Each part is identified by a name that must be unique within the model. The name
also has a side designator: .C for centerline, .P for port, or .S for starboard. Each
part is assigned a Contents which has a name and a specific gravity, i.e., Salt
Water, 1.025. A part has a class designation: Displacer, Container or Sail.
Displacers displace the fluid "contents", Containers contain the fluid "contents", a
Sail part only produces an area for Wind heeling moments - it does not displace or
contain a fluid. The part also has a Reference Point - a location that may be used
as a reference when loading the tank, or as the spilling point when the tank type is
set to Spilling. Tanks may also have a sounding tube definition. Note that a part is
only a name tag with attributes and it must reference one or more components to
comprise a volume.

While Modelmaker can deal with parts, components and shapes, Autohydro can
only access the model at the part level. Therefore, it is important that you define
all the volumes you wish to work with, and to group them in a logical fashion.

Component

Each component is identified by a name and side designator that must be unique
within the referencing part. Each component has an "effectiveness" - i.e.
permeability. By default, displacers are assigned 1, containers are assigned .985.
Components that are deducted from a part have a negative effectiveness. The
component refers to one shape by name and gives the shape a specific location
on the vessel by means of the shift vector, which by default is 0,0,0.

13
 Chapter 2

Shape

The shape is identified by a name, which is unique within the model. It represents
a volume in space by a series of 2-dimensional cross sections. Each section is
defined by a longitudinal position and a series of transverse and vertical co-
ordinates. The shape has a definite size and orientation but its location is subject
to modification by the referencing component.

Note: Normally, you do not have to deal with shapes because they are
treated by the program as the characteristics of a component.

Stations and Points

You will see each component on the screen as a series of 2-dimensional

transverse sections. Each station has points located on its perimeter. You can
change the shape of a station by modifying the positions of the points.

Co-ordinate System

A right-hand co-ordinate system is used. It is aligned with the principal axes of the
vessel as follows:

Origin: The point at which all three of the model axes cross, (the co-
ordinates = 0, 0, 0). It can be located at any position along the center
plane of the vessel, such as the AP at Baseline, FP at waterline or
midships at underside of keel. The first piece of information you give to
describe the model ultimately establishes the origin, however the origin
can be moved at any later time.

L-axis: The longitudinal, or X axis runs along the length of the

vessel. Positive is aft of the origin, negative is forward. The program
also recognises A for aft and F for forward. The model may be posi-
tioned anywhere longitudinally.

14
 Key Concepts and Terms

T-axis: The transverse, or Y axis runs across the vessel. The

transverse origin is the centerline of the vessel. It is positive to starboard
and negative to port. The program also recognises S for starboard and P
for port. Any Centerline (.C) components will be automatically mirrored
across the centerline.

Z-axis: The vertical, or Z axis is perpendicular to the vessel's

baseplane (Z=0). Positive is above the baseplane and negative is below.
The model may be positioned anywhere vertically.

Units

Lengths must be supplied either in decimal feet or meters. Switching from one set
of units to another automatically converts the values in the model.

The standard units of measurement used in Modelmaker and Autohydro are:

Measurement Metric Units Imperial Units

Length m ft
Weight/Displacement MT LT
Volume m3 ft3

Weight and displacement can also be expressed in Kilograms (KG), Short Tons
(ST) and Kilopounds (KP). For more information, see the UNITS command in the
Reference manual.

Using Files from GHS/BHS

Most files from GHS or BHS (from Creative Systems Inc.) may be used
interchangeably with Autohydro and Modelmaker:

• GHS GF's can be read directly by Autohydro or Modelmaker.

• GHS Condition files, Criterion files, and Macro files can usually be read
directly by Autohydro.

15
 Chapter 2

• GHS .RUN files can be read directly by Autohydro.

• Partmaker .RUN files can be read directly by Modelmaker if you rename

.RUN to .CMD.

Autohydro and Modelmaker cannot read GHS .SAV files or any other files that
represent the environment settings.

Some GHS and Partmaker commands are not essential to Autohydro

or Modelmaker but do not affect operation. These non-essential
commands are ignored.

Typical Job Flow

An Autohydro project usually proceeds through three steps:

1. Create a hull using one, or a combination, of these methods:

• Modelmaker menus

• A Modelmaker command file

• Digitising offsets in Modelmaker

• Export a GF from Autoship

2. Create internals such as tanks and sounding tubes using Modelmaker.

3. Create appendages such as derricks etc. using Modelmaker.

4. Perform analyses of the model's hydrostatic characteristics

using Autohydro.

16
 A Quick Sailthrough of Autohydro

Chapter 3

A Quick Sailthrough of Autohydro

Introduction

This chapter presents a quick tour of Autohydro. This is what we will do:

Objectives

i) To use Modelmaker to build a simple barge (40m x 10m x 5m) with forward
and aft rakes (.5m headlog at fwd and aft ends, sloping to the bottom 5m
from each end).

ii) To use Autohydro to obtain lightship weight from given drafts and the
operating draft for a load condition with deck cargo.

17
 Chapter 3

Modelmaker

Preview of Tasks

Modelmaker

• Start Modelmaker
• Create a hull part
• Create component 1
• Shape component 1
• Create shaped component 2
• Join components
• Save the file

Autohydro

• Start Autohydro and find lightship displacement

• Add deck cargo and find resultant drafts
• Generate and print a report

Our co-ordinates will originate from:

Longitudinal "0" at midships

Transverse "0" at center line

Vertical "0" at the lowest point on the flat bottom midships.

Remember the data hierarchy: you will make and edit model elements in the
following order:

Part
Component
Shape

18
 Modelmaker

Start Modelmaker

Click the Modelmaker icon in the Autoship group/folder. When Modelmaker

finishes starting, pick File - New GF. In the dialogue that appears, type a file
name, MYBARGE.GF1 for instance, specify a directory to store it in, then
Click OK.

Note: Make a note of the filename and the directory where you are
storing the file.

Create a Part

On the top menu bar, click Options and select Meters.

From the Edit menu select the Part Create/Edit option. In the dialogue that
appears, under Part Name you will see NEWPART highlighted. Type HULL over it
(it does not matter whether you type in upper or lower case).

Note: You must have a part named HULL. If you don't, the model won't work
in Autohydro.

For Side, click the Center radio button. For Class, click the Displacer radio
button. Click OK. Now, back at the main screen, nothing shows because there are
no components to display yet.

Create Component 1

We will create the hull as a combination of two box-shaped components. The first
component will be the parallel midship section including the aft rake, and we will
shape it to form the aft rake. The second component will be the forward rake and,
to demonstrate different techniques, we will shape it using a different method. We
will then join them together to make a single component.

19
 Chapter 3

1. From the Edit menu, select the Component Create function. In the dialogue
that appears, you will see HULL on the left hand side. If it is not already
highlighted, then click it to highlight it. On the right hand side you will see a list
of the basic component shapes, called "primitives", that Modelmaker uses as
building blocks.

2. Click the Box radio button and then click Input.

3. The Create Box dialogue will appear. Under Component Name you will
see C1.

4. Click the FWD End input box and type 15f (it will show as 15.000f).

5. Click the AFT End input box and type 20a

6. Click the Station Spacing input box and type 2.5 to specify the space between
adjacent stations.

Note: Later, if you find this station spacing too large for fitting parts and
components together smoothly, you can change the spacing by adding
more stations with the FILL command in the Edit menu.

7. To the right of OUTBOARD, in the TRANS input box, type 5 to set the
half-breadth.

8. To the right of TOP, in the VERT input box, type 5 to set the height of the
deck above baseline.

9. In the Side Factor box click Center.

10. Click OK.

11. In the Create Component dialogue, click Done to return to the main screen.

12. A rectangle will now appear on the screen.

13. Choose Iso (Isometric) from the View menu. This will display the first compo
nent of the model showing all the stations, with the currently selected station

20
 Modelmaker

(the forward-most one) highlighted in black and the red cross-shaped cursor
highlighting the first vertex of the station.

Shape Component 1

1. We will shape the first component in this way:

2. Shift through the group of stations from the forward-most station to the aft-most
by pressing F6 until the aft-most station is highlighted. "Location" near the
bottom left of the screen will read 20a.

3. The cursor will show at the bottom-center of the station highlighting the first
vertex of the station. We will change the shape of this section by moving the
two bottom vertices upwards to the height of the lower edge of the headlog. To
do this, press the up arrow on the keyboard repeatedly until the 1st "Vert" cell
under Edit Points at the left of the screen reads 4.5.

4. Shift the cursor to the next vertex on the station by pressing F4.

5. Move the cursor up with the up arrow key until the 2nd Vert cell under Edit
Points reads 4.5. Hit Enter to update the changes and redraw the view.

6. Shift to the next station forward by pressing F5.

7. Shape this station differently (just for practice): type 2.25 in the 1st Vert cell
and 2.25 in the 2nd Vert cell and hit ENTER to update the changes and
redraw the view.

Note: If at any time the screen does not show changes that you have made,
click the Redraw button.

Now we will create the second component.

21
 Chapter 3

Create Shaped Component 2

Modelmaker allows you to specify a sloped top, bottom, inboard or outboard face
for a "box" shape. We will use this feature to create the sloped forward rake.

1. From the Edit menu select the Component Create option. In the Create
Component dialogue click HULL, on Box and then on Input.

2. In the Create Box dialogue you will see C2 for the name of this component.
Type these values:

• FWD End 20f

• AFT End 15f

• Station Spacing 2.5

• Outboard Trans 5

• Top Vert 5

3. Click the SLOPING? checkbox for Bottom. This will open up three additional
input boxes. Input the following values:

• Vert 4.5

• Long 20f

• Vert 0

• Long 15f

4. Make sure that Side Factor is set to Center and then Click OK. Click Done. If
the main screen shows no change, select View Part from the View menu to
see the entire part.

Note: To scroll through the components of the model, use the space bar.

22
 Modelmaker

Join Components

We will now join the two components for a cleaner appearance.

Note: whether a part is made of one component or several, there will

be no difference in the resultant calculations in Autohydro.

1. Select View - View Profile to see the entire model in profile.

2. From the Edit menu choose Join To. The Join dialogue will appear. Under
Join Component, pick HULL for part and C2 for component.

3. Under Component To Join To, pick HULL for part and C1 for component.

4. Click OK.

5. You will see your complete model without any break between components.

6. Note that all reference to the component C2 is gone - it has been amalgamated
with component C1.

Save the File

1. Choose Save from the File menu.

23
 Chapter 3

Autohydro

Start Autohydro and Find Lightship Displacement

Start Autohydro by clicking on the Autohydro icon in the Autoship group/folder.

When Autohydro has finished starting, click File - Open, select the GF you just
created and Click OK. When the GF is finished loading you should see a
representation of your barge.

One of the main ways Autohydro can be used is to have it find the displacement
and LCG for a given waterline, and assign that displacement and LCG to the
lightship weight. We will input two drafts to define a waterline and then use this
method to determine the lightship weight:

1. Suppose the lightship drafts are:

1.34m aft (at the forward end of the aft rake, at 15a); and

1.26m fwd (at the aft the of the forward rake, at 15f)

2. Input these drafts into Autohydro by typing on the command line:

DRAFT 1.34 @ 15a, 1.26 @ 15f <Enter>

Note: the comma is optional and it does not matter whether you type in
upper case or lower case.

3. Now let's get Autohydro to find the displacement and longitudinal center of
gravity (LCG) corresponding to these drafts. On the command line, type:

SOLVE WEIGHT LCG <Enter>

4. In the Hydrostatic Values window you should now see the following results:
(your Hydrostatic Value window may show different values)

24
 Autohydro

Draft status: Aft = 1.35 Mid = 1.30 Fwd = 1.25 m

Lightship: 419.0 MT

FLCG: .194a (Fixed weight LCG)

Note that the drafts shown are not the drafts you put in. The drafts reported are
being measured at the extreme ends of the vessel, while the drafts you input
were located closer to midships.

5. To reset the locations where the drafts are measured, so they match your draft
mark locations, typing on the command line:

DRAFT "US KEEL" 0 @ 15a, 0 @ 15f <Enter>

6. Now we know the lightship weight and its LCG. By default, both the transverse
and vertical center of gravity are zero.

7. Assuming we had calculated the vertical center of gravity to be 3.2m above

baseline, we can input this value with the command:

VCG 3.2 <Enter>

8. You may have noticed that when you entered this last command the Solve
button in the top left corner of the screen changed from grey to red. The
solve button is grey when the vessel in equilibrium and red when the vessel
is not in equilibrium. In this case, changing the VCG caused the vessel to go
out of equilibrium.

To Autohydro, the vessel is in equilibrium when three conditions are met:

displacement = the total of all weights (lightship + added weights + tank loads)

LCB = trimmed LCG (RAt = 0)

TCB = heeled TCG (RAh = 0)

To get Autohydro to calculate a new equilibrium, click the Solve button. After
a quick calculation, the Solve button will turn grey, the graphics window

25
 Chapter 3

showing the model will be updated and the Hydrostatics Values window will
show new values.

At this point, Autohydro has a model to work with, has a reference line for
measuring the drafts and knows the vessel's lightship weight and center of
gravity. Now we can add some deck cargo and find the new drafts.

Add Deck Cargo and Find Resultant Drafts

Autohydro maintains two weight categories. One has further sub-categories:

1. Fixed Weight:

i) Lightship Weight
can be set:

• with the WEIGHT command, or

• by specifying drafts or depth and using the SOLVE WEIGHT command.

ii) Added Weights

can be input:

• with the ADD command, or

• in a dialogue box accessed from the Weight button.

2. Tank Loads

can be specified:

• with the LOAD command, or

• in a dialogue box accessed from the Tank Loads button.

26
 Autohydro

In our barge model we will add two fixed weight items as deck cargo. (If we had
defined some tanks in the model, we could have loaded them with some contents,
thus adding liquid weight.)

1. To add a fixed weight item, click the Fixed Weight button. In the Weight List
dialogue that comes up, click Add and change the label New Weight Item#01
to Lumber on deck, set its LCG to 12a, VCG to 6.5, and Weight to 3.

2. To add the second fixed weight item, click Add, change New Weight
Item#01 to Forklift on deck, set its LCG to 10f, VCG to 6.1, and
Weight to 1.3.

3. Close the dialogue box by clicking on OK and return to the main

Autohydro screen.

4. Because some variables have been changed the vessel will be out of
equilibrium. However, when you exit the Added Weights dialogue, Autohydro
will automatically find the new equilibrium.

Now we know the total weight and center of gravity of the vessel and cargo, and
the resultant drafts. All we need now is to create a report of this condition and
print it out.

Generate and Print a Report

Autohydro has different commands to produce different outputs. The most

commonly used (and most general) is Status, which creates an overall status
report of the current loading condition.

1. To generate a report, on the command line, type: STATUS, then click Enter.

2. If the Output window is open, it will be filled with an unformatted report.

3. To see the formatted report, click the Report button.

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 Chapter 3

You can resize the Report window (like all other windows in Autohydro). It also
has scroll bars to move around on the page. Since the Report window is a text
editor, you can edit your report right here in Autohydro, or write out a file that can
be read directly by Word and then sent to Excel.

To print the report, choose Print from the File menu, or click the Printer button.

Summary

• You have used Modelmaker to create and edit a vessel model.

• You have used Autohydro to calculate hydrostatic behaviour of the model.

• You have produced a report of the vessel

28
 Tutorials

Chapter 4
Tutorials

Introduction

This chapter includes seven tutorials. It is suggested that you work through each
tutorial in the sequence presented, as each subsequent tutorial depends upon
knowledge gained in the previous one.

The tutorials are:

Tutorial 1: Modelmaker project using menus and screens

Tutorial 2: Running Autohydro using menus and screens
Tutorial 3: Modelmaker project using command files
Tutorial 4: Autohydro using commands
Tutorial 5: Modeling a vessel using Modelmaker commands
Tutorial 6: How to produce a stability book in Autohydro
Tutorial 7: How to assess damage stability in Autohydro

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 Chapter 4

Tutorial 1
Modelmaker Project Using Menus and Screens

The learning objectives here are:

• to create parts by fitting them to other parts.

• to create a tank part with a recessed portion by joining a number of

components together.

• to create a tank part with a recessed portion by fitting to it a temporary part

and then deleting the temporary part.

Add Tanks to the Barge Created in the Quick Sailthrough.

We will create 6 tanks: Two void tanks (a Forepeak and an Aftpeak) plus four
cargo tanks in between, two having a recess on top.

1. Load MYBARGE.GF1 (or the name you used for your geometry file) as cre
ated in the Autohydro Sailthrough.

Note: Click View - ISO to get the best viewing angle.

2. Start by adding more stations to the model so that Modelmaker can fit parts
together smoothly.

• From the Edit menu choose Fill

• In the Fill Station dialogue, in the Maximum Station Spacing
field, type .5, and click OK.

This will fill the HULL with more stations and ensure smooth fits.

30
 Tutorial 1

3. Create the fwd tank:

Part:
(Edit - Part Create/Edit and then Add)

Part name: FOREPEAK

Side: Center
Class: Container
Contents: SEA WATER

Component:
(Edit - Component Create, select FOREPEAK, Click the Box radio
button and thenthe Input button).
FWD: 21f
AFT: 14.5f
Station spacing: Match Stations to Hull
Outboard Trans: 6
Top Vert: 6
Bottom Vert: 1

Note: Observe that the dimensions extend beyond the hull. To get
Modelmaker to fit, or trim, parts properly, you must specify slightly larger
dimensions for the part that is to be fitted to another part.

4. Fit FOREPEAK to HULL:

• From the Edit menu choose Fit To.
• In the Fit Component dialogue, under Fit Component, for Part
Name choose FOREPEAK and the appropriate component.
• Under Part or Component to Fit To, for Part Name choose HULL
and the appropriate component.
• Under Type of Fit choose Internal.
• Click OK.

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 Chapter 4

5. Create the aft tank:

Part:
Part name: AFTPEAK
Side: Center
Class: Container
Contents: Seawater

Component: (Box)
FWD: 14.5a
AFT: 21a
Station spacing: Match Stations to Hull
Outboard Trans: 6
Top Vert: 6
Bottom Vert: -1

6. Fit AFTPEAK to HULL:

• From the Edit menu choose Fit To.

• In the Fit Component dialogue, under Fit Component, for Part
Name choose AFTPEAK.
• Under Part or Component to Fit To, for Part Name choose HULL.
• Under Type of Fit choose Internal.
• Click OK.

We have now created and fit two simple tanks. The next two tanks are more
complicated in shape as they have a well, or recess in the top.
We will construct the next tank out of several "boxes" and then join them together.

7. Create a port tank aft of midships, out of 3 components:

Part:
Part name: NO1
Side: Port
Class: Container
Contents: Diesel oil

32
 Tutorial 1

Component: (Box)
FWD: 5a
AFT: 4.5a
Station spacing: Match Stations to Hull
Outboard Trans: 6
Top Vert: 6
Bottom Vert: -1

Component, for the second of the 3 components: (Box)

FWD: 0
AFT: 5a
Station spacing: Match Stations to Hull
Inboard Trans: 2
Otboard Trans: 6
Top Vert: 6
Bottom Vert: -1

Component, for the third of the 3 components: (Box)

FWD: 0
AFT: 5a
Station spacing: Match Stations to Hull
Outboard Trans: 3
Top Vert: 3
Bottom Vert: -1

Join the third component to the second component:

• Click Edit - Join To. Under Join Component, for Part Name pick
NO1.P, for Comp Name pick C3.
• Under Component to Join To, for Part Name pick NO1.P, for
Comp Name pick C2.
• Click OK.

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 Chapter 4

Join the second component to the first component in the same manner.

Now you have a tank with a recess in the top.

8. Fit NO1.P to HULL:

• From the Edit menu choose Fit To.
• In the Fit Component dialogue, under Fit Component, for Part
Name choose NO1.P and the appropriate component.
• Under Part or Component to Fit To, for Part Name choose HULL
and the appropriate component.
• Under Type of Fit choose Internal.
• Click OK.

9. Create a starboard tank aft of midships, matching the NO1.P tank

We will create this tank in a different way. We will start by creating a

regular rectangular shape. Next, we will create a temporary smaller
rectangular shape. Then we will fit the larger one to the smaller one.
Finally, we will delete the temporary part.

Note that the class and contents of the temporay part do not matter because
we are only interested in the shape, and only on a temporay basis.

Part: (the tank part)

Part name: NO1
Side: Starboard
Class: Container
Contents: Diesel oil

Component: (Box)
FWD: 0
AFT: 14.5a
Station spacing: Match Stations to Hull
Outboard Trans: 6
Top Vert: 6
Bottom Vert: -1

34
 Tutorial 1

Part: (the temporary part)

Part name: Temp
Side: Starboard

Component: (Box)
FWD: 0
AFT: 5a
Station spacing: Match Stations to Hull
Inboard Trans: 1
Outboard Trans: 2
T op Vert: 7
Bottom Vert: 3

10. Fit NO1.S against the part called Temp:

• From the Edit menu choose Fit To.

• In the Fit Component dialogue, under Fit Component, for Part
Name choose NO1.S.
• Under Part or Component to Fit To, for Part Name choose TEMP.
• Under Type of Fit choose External.
• Click OK.

11. Fit NO1.S to HULL:

• From the Edit menu choose Fit To.

• In the Fit Component dialogue, under Fit Component, for Part
Name choose NO1.S
• Under Part or Component to Fit To, for Part Name choose HULL
• Under Type of Fit choose Internal.
• Click OK.

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 Chapter 4

12. Delete the temporary Part:

• Go to Edit - Delete Part/Component, pick TEMP.S and Click the

Delete Part/Comps button. Click Yes at the message "Delete part
TEMP.S" and then Click Close.

That finishes the two tanks with the recesses in the top.

13. Create a port tank fwd of midships:

Part:
Part name: NO2
Side: Port
Class: Container
Contents: Gasoline

Component: (Box)
FWD: 14.5f
AFT: 0
Station spacing: Match Stations to Hull
Outboard Trans 6
Top Vert: 6
Bottom Vert 1

14. Fit NO2.P to HULL:

• From the Edit menu choose Fit To.

• In the Fit Component dialogue, under Fit Component, for Part
Name choose NO2.P.
• Under Part or Component to Fit To, for Part Name choose HULL.
• Under Type of Fit choose Internal.
• Click OK.

36
 Tutorial 1

15. Create the opposite part, NO2.S:

• In the Edit menu, click Opposite Part.

• In the Opposite Part dialogue choose NO2.P from the first. The
second field will show NO2.S.
• Click OK.

Now your barge is fitted with all six tanks.

Create Sounding Tubes for the Cargo Tanks

1. Set up the sounding tubes:

• In the Edit menu, click Sounding Tube.

• In the Sounding Tube dialogue, choose the tank to have the
sounding tube; start with NO1.P.
• Click Insert Points twice.
• In the grid, type in the following values for points 1 and 2. Point 1
must be the lowest point on the tube. Be sure to click Record to
register the changes.
Long Trans Vert
Pt. 1 .2a 4.8p .005
Pt. 2 .2a 4.8p 5.25

2. Create sounding tubes for the other tanks in the same way.
Remember to designate aft or forward, and port or starboard.

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 Chapter 4

Create a Deckhouse

1. Create a deckhouse with the following dimensions:

length: 5m - fwd end at 14a, aft end at 19a

height: from the deck to 2.5m above deck,
width: 3m wide - inboard at 2.5m from centerline, the outboard side
overhangs the starboard side of the hull by .5m.

Part:
Part name: Deckhouse
Side: Starboard
Class: Sail

Component: (Box)
AFT 19a
FWD: 14a
Station spacing: Match Stations to Hull
Inboard Trans: 2.5
Outboard Trans: 5.5
Top Vert: 7.5
Bottom Vert 5

The modifications to the model are now finished. Save your model. To avoid
overwriting your original model, use a different name; we suggest incrementing
the extension, i.e., if you named the original barge MYBARGE.GF1, name this
model MYBARGE.GF2.

38
 Tutorial 2

Tutorial 2
Running Autohydro Using Menus and Screens

Find Hydrostatics, Cross-Curves and Hull Data

1. In Autohydro, Open MYBARGE.GF2 (or the name you used for your
geometry file).

2. From the Calculate menu, choose Hydrostatics and in the Drafts

dialogue, enter the following values and Click OK:
First .5
Last 4.5
Step .5

Autohydro will show the calculation results in the output window. As well,
they will be available in the report window.

3. From the Calculate menu, choose Cross Curves and in the Drafts
dialogue, enter the following values and Click OK:
First .5
Last 4.5
Step .5

Autohydro will show the calculation results in the output window. As well,
they will be available in the report window.

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 Chapter 4

Type the following three commands on the command line. Remember to hit
ENTER after each command:
HEEL 0
TRIM 0
DEPTH 2

4. From the Calculate menu, choose Hull Data. In the Hull Characteristics
dialogue click the Hull Data radio button and then on OK.

Autohydro will show the calculation results in the output window. As

well, they will be available in the report window.
Note that you could have specified different values for Heel, Trim
and Depth.

Find Drafts for a Given Weight and Center of Gravity

1. On the Command line, type <weight 100 .25a 0 3.6>. Weight is a command
telling Autohydro to set the lightship weight and center to the values that
follow; the first value is the weight, the second is the lcg, the third is tcg, and
the fourth is the vcg. Note that the lcg, tcg and vcg are optional, but they will
remain at the default, 0, until changed by some other method.

Weight

Autohydro maintains two weight categories, for use in calculations:

i. Fixed weight
ii. Liquid weight

Fixed Weight

There are two kinds of fixed weight:

i. lightship weight: this is set with the WEIGHT command, or found with
the SOLVE WEIGHT… command.
ii. the weight of all other fixed items, as set with the ADD command.

40
 Tutorial 2

Liquid Weight

The volume of contents in a tank is set either with the LOAD command
or in the Tank Contents window. You can set the load either by load
fraction, or by weight, or, if sounding tubes are defined, by sounding.
Setting or changing one of these will update the others in a given tank.
You can also change the tank contents by using the CONTENTS
command, or by right-clicking on the tank in one of the views, picking
the Tank Contents option and selecting a fluid from the list.

2. Load tanks: Click the tank window and set the loads of some of the tanks.
Click the Solve button when you are done to find the new equilibrium.

3. On the command line, type STATUS to generate a report of the current

loading scheme and resultant vessel attitude. View the results in the
Report window.

4. One the command line, type RA to generate a righting arm curve for the
current loading scheme. View the results in the report window.

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 Chapter 4

Tutorial 3
Modelmaker Project Using Command Files

The learning objectives here are:

• to use Modelmaker's text editor to write a .CMD file (a series of commands).

• to run the commands to produce a vessel model.

Create a Barge, LOLLIPOP.GF1

We will create a barge which has a deckhouse and two deck-mounted cylindrical
diesel oil tanks. The hull dimensions are 40m long, 10m wide, 5m deep, with for-
ward and aft rakes sloping from 15f and 15a, respectively, to .5m below deck.

1. Click CMD on the menu bar. A text editor will appear.

• If the text editor window is not empty, then click the Files - New menu
option to clear the editor.
• Click any where in the editor window and type the command CLEAR.
The CLEAR command removes any existing geometry from
Modelmaker's memory.

Note: Modelmaker cannot create a new part if a part with the same name
already exists. Therefore, when re-running a .CMD file it is important to
remove the previously created set of parts before creating new ones.

• Below the CLEAR command, type the following, pressing ENTER

after every line. An explanation of each command follows in italics -
do not type this part.

42
 Tutorial 3

units mt set units to meters and tonnes

create hull.c start description of part "hull.c"
spacing .5 set station spacing at .5m intervals
ends 15f 15a define two ends of a box-like component
top 5 define the top of the box
bottom 0 define the bottom of the box
outboard 5 define the outboard face of the box
component fwdrake describe another component for hull
ends 20f 15f define the two ends of another box
top 5 define the top of this box
bottom 0 @ 15f 4.5 @ 20f define a sloping bottom
outboard 5 define the outboard face of this box
join hull.c join this component to "hull.c"
component aftrake describe another component of "hull.c"
ends 15a 20a define the top of this box
top 5 define the top of this box
bottom 0 @ 15a 4.5 @ 20a define a sloping bottom
outboard 5 define the outboard face of this box
join hull.c join this component to hull.c
/ end description of part "hull.c"
create deckhouse.c start description of part "deckhouse.c"
class sail set to sail rather than container
ends 14a 17.5a define two ends of a box-like component
top 8 define the top of the box
bottom 5 define the bottom of the box
outboard 1.5c define the outboard face of the box
/ end description of part "deckhouse.c"
create cargo.s start description of part "cargo.s"
contents do set the contents to diesel oil
cylinder 6f 2.4 8.5 7a 2.4 8.5 3.2 3.2 define as a cylinder
/ end description of part "cargo.s"

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 Chapter 4

create cargo.p start description of part "cargo.p"

contents do set the contents to diesel oil
opposite cargo.s copy and mirror shape of "cargo.s
write c:\autoship\hydro\samples\loll pop.gf1 save the geometry

Check that the path, as specified in the last command, is valid for your computer.

Note: A convenient way to write this series is simply to copy and paste
similar instructions: you can copy the six lines for the forward rake
(from "component fwdrake" to "join hull") and paste them as the next
segment, for the aftrake. But remember to change "fwd" for "aft" and
the co-ordinates from "f" to "a".

2. Still in the text editor, click Run, and choose Background. The text
editor window will close and Modelmaker will begin processing the set
of commands.

3. When processing has finished, from the View menu, choose whichever view
you prefer and the View All option. You will see your model on the screen. If
you don't, click Redraw in Shape editor box.

You have now finished creating the barge that we will be used for Tutorial 4.

44
 Tutorial 4

Tutorial 4
Running Autohydro Using Commands

The learning objective here is:

• to use Autohydro commands to perform simple calculations.

Obtain Basic Output from LOLLIPOP.GF1

1. Start Autohydro and click the Editor button. In the Text Editor that appears,
type the following series of commands:

read c:\autoship\hydro\samples\lollipop.gf1
ghs 2 3 4
cc 2 3 4
hull /dr 2 3 4 /da

The READ command must contain the same path as specified in the
WRITE command from the previous tutorial.

2. Click RUN and then Batch in the Text Editor top bar. Autohydro will
calculate hydrostatic curves, cross curves and the hull characteristics at
drafts of 2m, 3m and 4m and display the results in both the output window
and the report window.

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 Chapter 4

Tutorial 5
Modelling a Vessel Using Modelmaker Commands

The learning objectives here are:

• to use Modelmaker's text editor to construct a command sequence

• to understand the operation of the locus command
• to save the command sequence as a .CMD file
• to run the .CMD file

Note: The locus command allows you to define a station by specifying

a longitudinal location and a set of transverse-vertical co-ordinate
pairs. The locus command is particularly useful when you wish to cre-
ate a GF from a table of offsets.

Tip: An easy way to work with a table of offsets is to put the offsets into a
spreadsheet. You can then simply cut and paste them into a command file.

Load a Command File

1. Open the Command File editor and load TUT5A.CMD from the
…\hydro\sample directory. Take a moment to look at the contents of the
command file. You will see several "Locus" commands. In TUT5A.CMD,
the exact offsets of a hull have been entered as LOCUS commands.

2. In the top bar of the Text Editor, click Run - Background. This will cause
Modelmaker to execute the set of LOCUS commands and produce a hull.

46
 Tutorial 5

Load a Second Command File

1. Load the command file TUT5B.CMD, replacing TUT5A.CMD currently in the

text editor. This command file will create all the tanks for the hull just cre-
ated. Note that the first two commands, CLEAR and READ, have the charac-
ter "`" at the front of the line to "comment out" the command (not have it
run). Normally, you would start your .CMD files with these two commands,
however, because the model from TUT5A.CMD has not been saved, we
have commented the commands out here. Note also the use of the
Temp(orary) part and the command DELETE at the end of the .CMD file to
delete it.

2. In the top bar of the text editor, click Run, and choose Restart to create all
the tanks.

Click View - Iso and then View - View Part and then press repeatedly on
the space bar to toggle through all the parts.

3. Save the completed GF file with a name and directory of your choice.

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 Chapter 4

Tutorial 6
How to Produce a Stability Book in Autohydro

The learning objectives here are:

• to construct a typical sequence of commands for intact stability analysis

as follows:

a) Set up limits

b) Specify lightship weight (Alternatively, you can specify drafts)

c) Repeat the following steps for each loading condition

i. Set up the loading condition

ii. Solve for equilibrium
iii. Report the results

Load a RUN File

1. In Autohydro, click Open and load the GF file you just saved in
Modelmaker.

2. Click the Editor button to open the run file editor. Load the file
TUT6.RUN by clicking on File - Open and selecting the file from the
..\hydro\samples directory.

Take a moment to review the contents of this file. It may be helpful to

refer to the On-line Help system, to understand what the various
commands and parameters will accomplish and why they are used.

48
 Tutorial 6

With this run file, we will:

• Set up limits

• Specify lightship weight [Alternatively, you could specify drafts.]

• Set up a load condition

• Solve for equilibrium.

• Report the results

• Clear the loads and added weights

• Set up a second loading condition

• Solve for equilibrium

• Report the results

3. Run the RUN file by clicking on Run in the top bar of the editor.
Observe that a Stop sign appears in the top bar of Autohydro while the
calculations are being carried out. When the top sign disappears, open
the Report Window to show the results. You can either print them out,
save them or discard them.

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 Chapter 4

Tutorial 7
How to Assess Damage Stability in Autohydro

The learning objectives here are:

• To construct a typical sequence of commands for damaged stability analysis.

1. To be sure that you will start with the program initialised correctly, click
Open and reload the GF file you had saved in Modelmaker.

2. Click the Edit button to start the Run File editor. Load the file TUT7.RUN.
With this file we will:

• Define limits

• Set up lightship

• Set up a loading condition

• Set up a damage condition

• Solve for equilibrium

• Report the results

• Clear the loads and added weights

• Set up a second damage condition

• Solve for equilibrium

• Report the results

50
Notes

51
Copyright  2008 Autoship Systems Corporation
Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation
AutoCAD® is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc