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Nupas-Cadmatic V6 is full of improvements that ease the work of designers and administrators. The software
also comes with a new and improved user interface (click here for
more info). Some of the most significant new features of V6 are highlighted below:
Advanced 3D interfaces
The new interface was also designed to be more efficient and this has been achieved in particular with advanced 3D interfaces. The X-ray feature, familiar from eBrowser, is now used in Plant Modeller and allows the user to see what is being modelled even when obscured by surrounding objects. This and the visualization of edges and seams, make shaded views much more useful than before. Views can be easily customized and can float freely which allows them to be dragged between multiple screens.
As before, we are piloting some new interface techniques in eBrowser. In this version, it not only sports a new look but also has snapping, which allows quick and exact picking of model geometry points. The new user interface is much more than a makeover, but aims to provide the designer with a totally new and more efficient user experience. The user interface will remain at the forefront of development efforts at Nupas-Cadmatic and subsequent versions will not only bring these changes to all modules, but will contain new features and improvements as well.
Insulation
| Version 6 brings with it the all new insulation feature that will ease the work of designers significantly. Pipe insulation is specification-driven which means that the different insulation specifications can already be defined in the diagram phase. When modelling the correct insulation and materials are automatically selected according to the specifications and requires no further input from the
user.
This saves time and also helps the user to identify the correct space allocations immediately and to notice
possible collisions while modelling. Improvements have also been made to collision detection in version 6 with two types of collisions, hard and soft (insulation), now detected. Collision detection is more precise in V6 than in previous versions and user-friendly tools have been added to facilitate the acceptance or rejection of collisions. |
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Mark-up feature and visible edges
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In V6 the Nupas-Cadmatic eBrowser boasts a brand new mark-up function that is bound to make all eBrowser users sit up and take notice. The extremely useful mark-up tool allows the user to glue notes directly into the eBrowser that can then be sent immediately to another project partner for re-view or further commenting, without the need to send an explanatory email or make further phone calls.
The user can flexibly point out components and areas by drawing arrows or encircling desired components to which the notes can be added. The eBrowser has always been an excellent project communication tool but with this new feature its reputation will be further enhanced. In V6 snapping to pipe centre lines and to edges has been introduced. This will allow the user to make measurements even faster than before, adding further power to the mark-up tool’s punch.
In V6 edges and corners are visible, providing the user with much clearer and more detailed information about the model. In shaded views and in some axonometric views visible edges identify the true position and composition of components that would not be discernable without this feature. This feature is available in both eBrowser and Plant Modeller in V6.
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Initial Material Estimation
At Nupas-Cadmatic there has recently been an increased focus on developing tools to increase the scope of use of the software in the early design phases of ship design projects. The Initial Material Estimation (IME) tool in Nupas-Cadmatic Diagram is an example of such a development. Once the basic ship dimensions are available and the general process and component P&ID’s created on top of the ship deck planes, the IME can be used to generate an estimated list of materials and components that will be required on the vessel. This is an extremely useful tool for rapidly estimating the materials cost of a vessel as early as the concept design phase.
Functional design template
The functional design template tool is an extremely useful tool for storing and reusing model objects or object sets as functional design templates for later use. The user simply
picks piping elements, hvac, layouts or components from the 3D model and stores them in the library for later use. When the user works with a similar area or component set etc. at a later stage the functional design template can be inserted into the model after which the necessary adjustments are made. This saves a lot of time in the early design phases and enables design companies to make more efficient use of design materials from previously completed projects.
New hole
management
The modernization of the 2D features in version 5.2 has been very well received. The experiences of customers have been incorporated into V5.3. The V5.2 line of development is further implemented in creating and modifying dimensions and text.The property feature is also very effective. It has been further expanded with the possibility to align existing dimensions. The new arrow types are properly exported to DXF or DWG.
New advanced tutorial and help material
A new and extremely easy-to-use tutorial is now available for model building in Nupas-Cadmatic Piping. It requires the installation of an example project during Nupas-Cadmatic software installation. The tutorial is divided into three chapters and provides detailed instructions of the mandatory steps required to start modelling including creating an area for Plant Modeller and Pipe, defining Design Area Limits and setting views. This is followed by an introduction to routing fourteen pipelines with examples on how to navigate and create isometric drawings. The final chapter covers view management, hiding objects and clipping views. The tutorial has already proven to be a hit with its first users with praise coming in for the ease with which new designers can get started with the help of the tutorial.
System Management
The interface of the System Management application is extended with an
easily maneuverable Tree-view, with which, in a well organized way, the system settings can be shown and altered. A new integrity function - “Project Setting” Check - has been added to check all logistic fields in the Norms settings. If the Administrator makes some changes in the logistic layout, these changes are automatically checked. Printers and plotters defined in Windows can now directly be used from Nupas-Cadmatic. Plotter settings (fonts, colours, thickness) are furthermore no longer part of a plotter definition. A set of plotter settings can now be attached to one or more plotters.
ERP/Material management systems integrations
The Nupas-Cadmatic development team has several ongoing projects with current customers concerning ERP and materials management system (Mars) integration projects. Among these is STX Europe in Finland, internationally renowned for building the largest cruise ships in the world, for which a special integration between the Nupas-Cadmatic Diagram module and the yard’s Logimatic Mars system has been developed. Nupas-Cadmatic is well placed to provide its customers with similar integrations to their ERP and Mars systems.
Big Corrugated Bulkheads
| A new function has been developed to create big corrugated bulkheads. This new function replaces the existing function and makes full use of Nupas-Cadmatic’s advanced structural topology features. Because the corrugation properties are specified as an attribute of the plate, modifications can be made easily and quickly for the whole bulkhead or one or more corrugations.
Like any other structural part, the corrugated bulkhead function makes use of the software’s standard copy functionality.
To create the production data for the corrugated bulkheads the engineer has to activate a special function which will determine the final geometry of the plates and production data. |
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Part labelling
The new part label function which was introduced in version 5.3 has been given more flexibility, which aids the engineer in positioning part labels in an easier and user friendly way. It is now also possible to specify an initial part label indicator when creating parts. This indicator is placed automatically and searches for the first suitable empty spot on the drawing.
Flexibility in logistics
As the structural model database contains huge amounts of logistical data the demand for tools to manipulate this data or use it in PDM, MMS or ERP software packages has grown too. Every shipyard also has its own specific requirements concerning building sequences and part naming conventions. Two additional tools have been developed to comply with all these different requirements.
All logistical data can now be exported and imported in XML format. By specifying a special customisation layout the user determines in what order the data will be written and what the naming of the data fields will be. The user thus controls the format of the XML. The structure and the sequence of the data in the XML file will, however, be done according to the work breakdown structure of the hull model. The XML data can be used freely in for example 3rd party material management or product data management systems. It is also possible to import (modified) data in XML format according to the same customisation layout. To ensure that essential data can not be overwritten by the import function, the system administrator can specify which data fields are editable.
A new tool called ‘Logistics Manager’ has been added to the Tools menu. This tool gives the user the flexibility to manipulate any logistical data field by using selections and rules in a user-defined macro. A practical example of the ‘Logistics Manager’ in use is renaming assemblies, subassemblies, panels and parts of the work breakdown structure according to the shipyard’s naming convention.
Production Information Application
| A new Production Information application will be introduced in Nupas-Cadmatic Hull Version 6.0. This application consists of all tools needed to create the entire set of production documentation and production data for each hull block.
The purpose of this new application is to offer customers the possibility to split engineering and production tasks between
different persons/locations without the risk that the original model data gets damaged or unintentionally modified. |
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System Management
The System Management application has a new menu structure and functions are re-arranged in such a way that they are easier to find. The help information on each function has also been re-structured and improved. The user is now also able to use different fonts when adding or modifying
text.
Export to FEM
| Version 6.0 will contain the first official release of the new Export to FEM application. A Finite Element Method model in Nupas-Cadmatic Hull consists of a collection of FEM objects created from selected construction parts from the Nupas-Cadmatic structural model database.
The user selects the parts via the standard report generator or via the Hull Viewer and
selects the output format, chooses the desired FEM policy and applies several specific FEM export settings via a user interface. Before pressing the export button the user is able to preview the selected construction. Export to FEM is a separately licensed application.
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FlexiWeight
FlexiWeight is a new comprehensive tool to assist the designer in the early design phase to determine the most ideal block arrangement of the ship. With the use of FlexiWeight one can determine the block sizes and swiftly and accurately calculate the weights that fit the capacity and limitations of the building site.
The designer can easily specify and modify the block boundaries and at any given moment the size, weight and centre of gravity of each block can be calculated and presented graphically or in tabular form. By using different colours for various weight ranges the designer sees at a glance whether the blocks are within the desired limits. It is possible to define several block arrangement scenarios and combine these with the most optimal block arrangement. Once the final block arrangement is determined the designer can automatically split the 3D model physically according to this arrangement into actual blocks.
Because FlexiWeight works like an ‘overlay’ on the actual 3D structural model, it can be used at any stage of the design process. The more complete the 3D model is the more accurate the block weight calculations will be, which gives the designer the possibility to revise the block boundaries at the earliest possible moment.
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Advanced 3D Compartment Modelling
In Version 6 developments will be initiated concerning 3D compartment modelling. The aim of this new application is to quickly develop a 3D compartment model, optimize that model and most importantly: to provide accurate and essential design information to the various subsequent engineering stages. As Nupas-Cadmatic already has very enhanced 3D structural modelling capabilities, the 3D compartment model can be created in the same flexible manner as in basic and detail design. Making use of the existing Nupas-Cadmatic modelling functionalities offers a number of advantages:
• Modelling with the use of structural topology
• Calculation of volumes, sizes, weights, paint areas etc.
• Applying attributes, properties and rules (rule-based engineering)
• Generate 2D general arrangement drawings from the model
• Seamless connection to the detail design phase
• Export the 3D model to 3rd party software for various purposes
The approach of integrated compartment modelling will clearly differ from traditional methods of working where compartment modelling, general arrangement design and detail design are separate activities.
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