Delftship to Google SketchUp

[Can Ozalp]

Hi

I would like to export my hull design made with Delftship Pro into Google SketchUp to make basic interior designs. Is it possible? If not, which CAD software do you suggest to do that?

[Marven]

It depends on which import formats are supported by Google Sketchup….

[Can Ozalp]

Hmmm. Ok then i guess it doesnt support coz i tried to import all the types that can be exported by delftship. I will try to do with rhino.. thnx marven

[otaku]

Hi CNZLP,

Have you ever heard of Punch! ViaCAD?

http://www.punchsoftware.com/index.htm

ViaCAD Pro is my tool of choice to work with my DS Free models that i export from 3D Polylines and other DS formats to create sideshell surfaces and solids in VCPro. (I am not sure, but i believe Sketchup is definitely not a CAD tool for more than casual stuff, tho it has some great features. It certainly won’t work for me for what i am doing.)

What i like about VCP as opposed to other CAD apps is that VCP is (for my mind, at least) VERY easy to use. After i created thickened plate, i apply mild steel properties to it to get the various CGs. I have personally found this to be vastly easier and not convoluted like autocad can be when it comes to getting massprops.

ViaCAD 2D/3D is available inexpensively. You can try a trial/demo, then if you like it, purchase it. In my case, i upgraded to Pro from 2D/3D. I think ViaCAD makes an excellent complement to DELFTship. I’d hate to think how extremely difficult my hobby would be if i had not found DELFTship by accident and if i had not found ViaCAD before CompUSA shuttered their bricks-n-morters stores.

(One of my fantasies is that someday there is two-way communication between DELFTship and ViaCAD pro so i don’t have to throw away many lines i create in DSFree. An even bigger fantasy is that ViaCAD would use SQLite as a database engine to contain the geometry, and therefore begin to take feeble steps to make it possible to avoid the astronomical expense of using ShipConstructor (and the attendant cost of needing autocad to use SC…)

Now, if only i could save my pennies so i could buy DS Pro and a number of extensions. Another fantasy is that i would start a company, find a line of credit, and make a living off my drawings… ) [file name=bow_on.jpg size=49261]http://www.delftship.net/delftship/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/files/bow_on.jpg[/file]

Attachments:

• struct_membs_7.jpg
• bow_on.jpg

[otaku]

More images…

Attachments:

• stbd_qtr_aerial.jpg

[otaku]

Hmmm… would be nice if i figured out how to attach 4 or 5 images without a “reply” for each instance… I’ll attach one more image…

Attachments:

• struct_membs_3.jpg

[Wild]

allows import DXF file into Free SketchUp 7.1

http://sketchup.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=161784

[Wild]

Attention to DS users who making models in Metric units and want to export it to SketchUp.

It seems like SketchUp (SU) needs Imperial units to correctly import DXF file from DS. DS generate different values in output/export files for projects using different units. But… Exported file does not have any indication what units were used. SU imports DXF file assuming it was created in Imperial units.

If you want SU correctly import your model made in Metric units, change your existing model project’s setting to Imperial units

Project -> Geneal tab -> Units -> change it to Imperial.

Export your model as DXF 3D (mesh or poly lines).

Choose Metric template in SU. Import DXF file from DS file to SU. Now you have correct size of the model and Metric units.

If you do not do this, you will end up with problem like on the picture. These 2 IDENTICAL hulls have the same size in DS – 10m/32.8ft

The one which looks small (incorrect size in SU) was exported from DS when model had Metric units. Bigger one (correct size in SU) when model was using Imperial units settings.

Attachments:

• DS_Export_3d_mesh_2_Import_DXF_SU.JPG

[Wild]

It looks like I figure out (or may be completely lost) what is going on with SU. I am using SU 7.1 (could be different for other versions).

I need to find volume of symmetrical irregular shape vessel created in SU. So, the better way to do it is to go by displacement and use Delfship (DS) for this. So, I need to export model from SU and import it in DS.

What I tried as experiment: Make model in DS, export it in DXF format, import it in SU, export it in COLLADA, covert to VRML, import it back to DS. I have got different results – needs more research.

Problems/difficulties found:

– DS can export model to DXF file as Metric(meters) and as Imperial(feet) units (no indication of units in the file).
– SU imports DXF file in Imperial(feet) units.
– SU exports model to COLLADA file in INCHES ??? (that why I got over sized model). YOU NEED TO RESCALE MODEL FROM FEET TO INCHES before exporting to COLLADA. For some reasons, SU 7.1 have problems to import created itself COLLADA file back to SU.
– Need to convert COLLADA file to VRML 1.0
– Export it to DS. DS will give you model in METERS.

I made model in SU 10x5x3 FEET. Rescaled it to 10x5x3 inches. Exported it as COLLADA file. Converted to VRML 1.0 file. Imported it to DS. Now I have DS model as 10x5x3 METERS.

Could somebody help me how to make this imported model compatible with DS? It just give me strange shape in 3D. File attached. [file name=SU_Box_10x5x3_inch_from_dae_2_VRML_2_DS.fbm size=25603]http://www.delftship.net/delftship/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/files/SU_Box_10x5x3_inch_from_dae_2_VRML_2_DS.fbm[/file]

Attachments:

• SU_Box_10x5x3_inch_from_dae_2_VRML_2_DS.fbm

[Wild]

I was able to make sides by creating faces and extruding edges, but I still cannot make bottom. File attached. I need some step-by-step tutorial ;)) [file name=SU_Box_10x5x3_inch_from_dae_2_VRML_feet_DS_1.fbm size=25008]http://www.delftship.net/delftship/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/files/SU_Box_10x5x3_inch_from_dae_2_VRML_feet_DS_1.fbm[/file]

Attachments:

• SU_Box_10x5x3_inch_from_dae_2_VRML_feet_DS_1.fbm

[Marven]

You model was messed up somehow. All the faces were defined twice. I remove those double faces. In addition some faces used points which were at the same location in 3D space but also defined twice. So one face used the first point while another face used the second point, at exactly the same location. In delftship the faces shuld be physically connected, so putting points on top of another is not sufficient.

Therefor I remove 1 face from the model. By deleting the face the points were also removed, thus solving the problem of the identical points. Then I manually added a new face using the 4 remaining (and by now unique)cornerpoints of the other faces. [file name=SU_Box_10x5x3_inch_from_dae_2_VRML_feet_DS_1-59e76efab3374c4689c48bf9d94406a7.fbm size=11981]http://www.delftship.net/delftship/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/files/SU_Box_10x5x3_inch_from_dae_2_VRML_feet_DS_1-59e76efab3374c4689c48bf9d94406a7.fbm[/file]

Attachments:

• SU_Box_10x5x3_inch_from_dae_2_VRML_feet_DS_1-59e76efab3374c4689c48bf9d94406a7.fbm

[Wild]

All the faces were defined twice. I remove those double faces. In addition some faces used points which were at the same location in 3D space but also defined twice.

Marven,

How can I recognize double (defined, etc.) faces and double points in DS?

I might created some double faces, just because DS did not give me any indication it were there
after I create it. Double points might were created during import. So, how can I see in DS if
points, faces or edges are doubled? Can I see it in DS screen or do I need to look in DS *.fbm
file?

Thanks for the file, now when I have correct DS model, I can export DS file and
compare it with file for import and, hopefuly, find out what the difference is. I will report back
about my progress/problems.

[lebar]

Hi,.
I face the same problem when trying to transfert from DS to SU (version 8.0.4811). The problem is SU doesn’t reckonize the DS file, whatever saved as “DXF 3D”, or “OBJ” or “STL”…?!
the SU opening windows, when importing the so saved DS file, sends always the same information: ” This is not a SU model!”
So Can you help?
Thanks Eric

[lebar]

Hi
I am quite stupid….I just understand that the free DS version does not allow export format like “DXF 3D polyline” but just “DXF 3D mesh”…
Is there any other way to transfert file from DS to SU?
Thanks
Eric

[Marven]

I just understand that the free DS version does not allow export format like “DXF 3D polyline” but just “DXF 3D mesh”…

In fact that’s not correct, see the attached screenshot below.
Delftship free will export to 3D polylines, but in order to do that there should be 3D curves (stations, or waterlines etc) in your models and visible.
Keep in mind that Delftship will export what is visible, so if you have disabled the display of stations then these will not be exported to a 3D DXF file.

[lebar]

Hi Marven,
that is very clear , I understand something new to me…. thank you.
Now I can export my file fron DS.
However, SU is still unable to see this file whatever it is saved as a 3D mesh or a 3D polylines.
Could it be le version 8 of SU which could be responsible?
Eric

[lebar]

OK, now I understand…Only the pro version of SU can import dxf files:S …not the free version 👿
Anyway, thanks for your fast and efficient help
see you nexte on the net
Eric

PS if I may, I have another problem…I can not find in the (US) documentation how to close the aft of the ship….. and the french one I found on the net doesnot talk about that.

[Marven]

Simply select all the boundary edges of the transom, and then choose “Edit” => “Edge” => “Extrude”. For the transverse direction in the edge extrusion window specify -1.0 meters. Leave the other values set to zero. Then press “Ok”.

This will create new surfaces, but the new transom should still be finished by moving the newly created control points to the center line of your ship.

This can be done manually, but even easier is (while still having the new edges selected after the edge extrusion command) to select “Scale” from the “Transform” menu. This time leave all values set to 1.0 except the transverse scaling direction which should be 0.0. Scaling the new control points with 0.0 in this direction will place all of them at the center line.

[lebar]

(terrible…I did something wrong and lost my “quick reply”..very difficult to re write something…)So:
It works I effectively get a transom….

But (I have to clarify first that I designed a trimaran motor yatch et I try to close the “complex transom face” with convex and concave faces
Anyway it looks OK up to when I shade,….then I get something like a virtual “veil” (wall) with no thickness at all which “close” moreless the tunnel between the central hul and the lateral hull…?
I hope I do not bore you with my ignorance…
eric 😉

[Marven]

Can you post an image perhaps?

[lebar]

Of course yes. I have to start the other computer and I will send you the file
Thanks
eric

[lebar]

here is my files…don’t be afraid, please…It is my second test. The first one was a fishing sailing ship (voilier Podeau from bassin du Luxembourg – Paris) which is very efficient
This one is a high speed threehull motorship at this time, only the hul…I have to learn how to design the roof. The side hull sould not lift the ship but only stabilize the platform

tell me what you think about it
you will see my “transom problem” when shadind the hull
two files because two different ways to design the transom…but same problem
Thanks Eric

Attachments:

• trihull_test1_MECALi_v1.0.fbm
• trihull_test1_MECALi_v1.1.fbm

[Rob Hewitt]

Hi Eric in your v1.0 if it is the bottom of the transom of the outer hull that is the problem ? It is because you have two control points sharing the same space, if you select each of the bottom control points in turn and press delete you will find there are still points left and the transom is now square edged.
On your second model there are a lot of control points not connected which is giving you a distortion in the shaded hull, try working with the mesh turned on using a the highest setting and start connecting the unconected control points this way yo can see as you are working how you are rectifiying the model.
I have had a play with the transom and made it into a seperate layer it might be a good idea to split up your hull into several layers so that you can hide individual layers when you are working on hard to see areas of your hull
Rob

[Marven]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for jumping in.
On a side note, I have been redesigning the plate developments window.
It now shows the compression/tension in a plate much better.
Perhaps you could give it a try and test it with some of your developabe designs?

[lebar]

Hi Rob
I try to understand what you mean because (in addition of the translation task) I am not yet “easy” with DS…any I try.
The problem I face is: When I shade the perspective view (looking from the aft), something comes to obturate the tunnel between the hulls (what I call the “virtual veil”). When I only activate the “longitudinales”…I see also at the same place some lines which have nothing to do there and “in the air”, not on the hulls drawing.
Thank you for the modifications done…
I also tried tu use layers but my french doc is not really clear about that and unfortunatly I failed…But I understand I have to use this method to go further on this project. My aim is to built a 7.5 meter motor boat…
I will try to work on the returned file this evening.
Eric

[Rob Hewitt]

Hi Eric
to show you how to create Layers is to long to post on the forum email me at rob@epoxy-resins.co.uk and I will send you some screen shots of how layers are produced. Pictures are better my French is usless.
I have had a look at your second model and have broken it into seperate layers this allowed me to find several points that where not connected. If you use the layer management tool to hide all layers except the transom that is layer 12 and turn off the shading you can see the extra lines and points I have added these additional points are what removed the error when the model was shaded I have attached the file for you to check out.
Rob

[Rob Hewitt]

Hi Marven
I would be happy to give it a try

[lebar]

Hi Rob
I sent you a PM
I opened your file. It’s clear that “my problem” has now disappeared. The second step for me is to understand and learn how to do that….an how to manipulate layers
Thanks
Eric

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