Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Submersible Design Software

[Ian Roxborough <irox@ix.netcom.com>]

I use QCad for 2D stuff ( http://www.ribbonsoft.com/qcad.html )

Ayam for 3D visualization and rendering, not CAD ( http://www.ayam3d.org )
Sometimes a use AC3D, deplending on what I plan to do with
the model when it's finished. ( http://www.ac3d.org/ )

I've not found an open source 3d CAD program which I like.

I have a program I wrote (or, I am still writing) myself which I
use for working out design details.  It uses a GUI frontend and an
MySQL Database to store all the parts, it can do center of buoyancy
and center of mass calculations, drag'n'drop 2D cad drawings, track
costs, power storage, power consuption, etc..  This is version two
I'm working on now, after becoming unhappy with the first version.
I will release it as open source once it is working more accurately.

For simulations, I use DynaMechs ( http://dynamechs.sourceforge.net/ ),
it's a physics simulation engine that has support for underwater
simulations.  With a good 3D graphics card you pilot your sub in
real time - although I'm have problems with it craching, i think
it is more to do with bad data I'm feeding it.

Also, I still rely on pencil and paper for a lot of the initial
design work (a little note book and pencil is very easy to carry
anywhere).

I run the above mentioned software on Linux.

  Ian.

On Sun, 19 Oct 2003 20:16:57 EDT
NeophyteSG@aol.com wrote:

> 
> How many of the group are using software to design your submersibles, and 
> which programs?
> 
> Warm Regards
> Shawn
> 
> 
> 
> *****
> 
> "To see a World in a Grain of Sand
> And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
> Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
> And Eternity in an hour."
> 
> -- Auguries of Innocence, William Blake, ca 1803
>