what programs do you use

Google is your friend Viking=74: LINK

Just a side note: most all 2D programs, including some much less expensive than AutoCad, will export the AutoCad format.

Kelly

Does anyone know of any good instructional books for teaching yourself Rhino? I have a (very) basic knowledge of 3-d from Autodesk VIZ, but would really like to specifically know Rhino. Any suggestions?

Hi,

Here is an online course here to learn Rhino

http://proboate-training.pbwiki.com/Rhino+Modeling+for+Marine+Designers

Software

I would like to design a yacht of my own but I'm not sure where to find the right software. Can anyone help me out? Thanks!

I would say you should use a 2d program like freehand. Then use maybe a 3d cad program like rhino or maxsurf.
(p.s.if this is somewhat messy I am sorry because I am using my iPhone.)

Software 2nd, Hardware 1st

Start with vellum, pencils, pencil sharpeners, desk brush, splines and spline weights, good long straight edge, and rule. Don't forget a powered eraser. This isn't the software of the profession, but the hardware. Phil Rhoades, S & S, Jack Hargrave, Fritz DeVoogt, Bill Garden, Ray Hunt, William Tripp, et al, none of the great N.A.'s drew their lines any other way!

http://www.westlawn.edu/news/index.asp?displayfile=EdsonSplineWgtsWEB.htm

You forgot the slide rule and ivory-dialled planimeter

ivory dialed planimeter

now I do feel I missed something, my polar planimeter is just plain jane!

I suppose it depends on how old they are....I used to borrow a collegues, then one day ('79) I found one at a Car Boot Sale (thrift / junk sale). The little old lady didnt know what it was, it used to be her fathers. She wanted $2 for it, I gave her 10. A beautiful old thing it is, no longer used, but still loved.

Program

I always start a new design on the board with an HB filled .5mm mechanical pencil, got started in this yacht designing just before CAD went mainstream. I like ACAD for drawings and quick 3/D persectives to place under vellum as a guide when sketching. Acad is a great perspective generating tool with adjustable focal lengths.

Have used Solidworks but its constrained when you want to do flowing surfaces. Rhino is my drug of choice and now to cinch it they go and offer a yacht specific package:

http://www.rhinomarine3d.com/

Solid modeling is best if you do basic shapes like an engine room and equipment. Exterior styling is best if sculpted by hand and scanned in, if not, Rhino can be tortured (and torturing) to make its production possible.

Yup, its been discussed before, and individual preferences remain. Personally, my liking for UG has grown over the last year or so. I still sketch freehand up front, but I get it into full 3-D as soon as possible. I have not found a creative limitation with this software as yet, and the parametric / instant update ability is frankly now indispensible.