New Developments

We are committed to provide our customers with the best products. Currently, we are working on the following:

FastShip & FastYacht

We now have a new version, Fastship 6.1.30, with the following improvements and new features:

Hydrostatics Defaults changed to correspond more with US definitions and standards.
Hydrostatics output labels changed to agree with ATTC definitions; this will mostly be transparent to users, other than "CPL" for CP, since the ATTC definitions agree largely with those commonly used in the US.
Hydrostatics calculations corrected to provide better values for metacentric height; previous versions assumed if a center of gravity was not provided that metacentric height was to be calculated from the waterline. The new version uses KM (from the keel at the station of maximum area).
Hydrostatics calculations modified to refer to the station of maximum area.
Algorithms to create a PMF file for a user hull are included. These algorithms have very limited capability and generally only provide the beginnings of a PMF file. They will be effective on a hull that is one surface, with the waterline at the Z=0 level, that already has the topology of a parallel middle body with the 5 relevant columns exactly the same in y and z for every net row. Alion intends to improve this in later releases and hopes the limited feature will still provide the beginnings of a PMF file that can later be edited manually to equip a new hull for parametric use with the Fastgen macros. (Note: the PMF file export will not work for all users, only for those who have the "Parametrics/Hull Library" option.)
The name "Proteus Engineering" is being de-emphasized as Alion integrates the subsidiary it purchased several years ago. Accordingly, the name has been removed from the logos displayed in the software and the location of the software has been renamed to C:\Program Files\Alionscience\Fastship 6. This makes it even more important that previous versions of the software be removed using "Add/Remove Programs" on the Control Panel before loading Fastship 6.1.30. However, the Proteus Engineering Web site will continue in use for downloads and information on the software. Support questions may continue to be addressed to proteussupport@alionscience.com. These names will eventually be phased out but should continue working for a substantial time.

VisualSMP

Improvements in Version 3.1 (most recently released):

Quasi-nonlinear roll restoring force. VisualSMP, like other frequency-domain ship motion programs, assumes linear restoring forces. This is the so-called 'wall side' assumption. To increase accuracy, especially for low freeboard, tumble-home or highly flared ships, the new version will use quasi-nonlinear roll restoring force. The roll restoring force will be based on a user-input GZ curve.

In the irregular wave module, the calculations for all the 11 members of the Ochi-Hubble 6-param family of spectra will be carried out and output accordingl.

In regular wave module, the number of frequencies in 2D calculation will be increased to 25. This will enhance the accuracy of 2D and 3D hydrodynamic coefficients, forces and moments. The regular wave module will take longer to finish. However, the calculation will still be fast enough that it will not be a concern in normal circumstances.

Maximum number of speeds is set to 11 instead of 8. This will be been implemented in both regular wave module and irregular wave module calculations as well as post-processing.

In speed polar plots, the speed increments for the polar plot have been refined to 2, 3 and 5 knots instead of 2, 5 and 10 knots. The default speed increment is set to 5 knots instead of 10 knots.

The polar plot contours are calculated and drawn at a much smaller intervals, about half of what it was before. The combination of allowing 11 speeds to be calculated and a finer polar plot speed increments significantly enhances the accuracy of the contour calculation and polar plotting.

Other improvements to the GUI

Plan for Version 3.2

Improvement in Operational Index (OI) calculation in irregular wave post-processing;

Improvement in Percentage Time of Operation (PTO) calculation in SEP (Sea-keeping Evaluation Program) module;

In polar plots, provide a mechanism will have a Macro writing and reading capability to allow the user to save his/her existing polar/OI specifications to a file. The user will be able to open the macro file to add the saved polar/OI specifications. For example, let's assume that a certain operation has limits on ship roll angle, pitch angle, vertical acceleration, deck wetness and MII (Motion Induced Interruption). The user make these specifications once (for one sea state) and save them in a file. If the user wants to do the same polar plots and OI calculations for a different sea state, she/he can simply reuse them by opening that macro file. This file may also be used for any other ships;

The Operation Index (OI) on the polar plot is calculated for all heading and speed combinations. Previous versions of VisualSMP could not calculate the OI for a subset of speeds or heading. In the new version, there is a new button "Cal OI for Specified Range". After click this button, a new dialog box will pop-up, the user can specify a speed range and/or heading range and the OI will be calculated for these ranges only. However, this does not change the OI on the polar plot, which is still for all speeds and headings;

GUI will have new feature for creating (add) a bilge keel. When a new bilge keel is added, VisualSMP will automatically add all the stations that are in-between the specified forward and aft bilge keel stations to the bilge keel trace list. It will set the (halfwidth, waterline,angle) to (0,0,0). The user may use the next two new features to modify these values visually and automatically;

GUI will have a new feature to visually highlight the current offset point in blue to distinguish it from other points;

GUI will have a new feature which helps the user to visually modify/define a bilge keel trace point and angle. The user will be able to visually specify the bilge keel position (attachment point) for each station. The GUI will automatically calculate the bilge keel angle, either along the local surface's normal direction or along the line connecting the attachment point and the roll center if the position of the roll center is specified;

Fine tune the slamming pressure or sectional force calculation and output;

Increase the number of forward speeds limits of STH and SEP modules to 8, the same as the present limit for the regular wave module and irregular wave module;

Fix problems/errors once found.

Copyright © 2011 Alion
Last modified: August 18, 2011

	We are committed to provide our customers with the best products. Currently, we are working on the following:
	FastShip & FastYacht We now have a new version, Fastship 6.1.30, with the following improvements and new features: Hydrostatics Defaults changed to correspond more with US definitions and standards. Hydrostatics output labels changed to agree with ATTC definitions; this will mostly be transparent to users, other than "CPL" for CP, since the ATTC definitions agree largely with those commonly used in the US. Hydrostatics calculations corrected to provide better values for metacentric height; previous versions assumed if a center of gravity was not provided that metacentric height was to be calculated from the waterline. The new version uses KM (from the keel at the station of maximum area). Hydrostatics calculations modified to refer to the station of maximum area. Algorithms to create a PMF file for a user hull are included. These algorithms have very limited capability and generally only provide the beginnings of a PMF file. They will be effective on a hull that is one surface, with the waterline at the Z=0 level, that already has the topology of a parallel middle body with the 5 relevant columns exactly the same in y and z for every net row. Alion intends to improve this in later releases and hopes the limited feature will still provide the beginnings of a PMF file that can later be edited manually to equip a new hull for parametric use with the Fastgen macros. (Note: the PMF file export will not work for all users, only for those who have the "Parametrics/Hull Library" option.) The name "Proteus Engineering" is being de-emphasized as Alion integrates the subsidiary it purchased several years ago. Accordingly, the name has been removed from the logos displayed in the software and the location of the software has been renamed to C:\Program Files\Alionscience\Fastship 6. This makes it even more important that previous versions of the software be removed using "Add/Remove Programs" on the Control Panel before loading Fastship 6.1.30. However, the Proteus Engineering Web site will continue in use for downloads and information on the software. Support questions may continue to be addressed to proteussupport@alionscience.com. These names will eventually be phased out but should continue working for a substantial time.
	VisualSMP Improvements in Version 3.1 (most recently released): Quasi-nonlinear roll restoring force. VisualSMP, like other frequency-domain ship motion programs, assumes linear restoring forces. This is the so-called 'wall side' assumption. To increase accuracy, especially for low freeboard, tumble-home or highly flared ships, the new version will use quasi-nonlinear roll restoring force. The roll restoring force will be based on a user-input GZ curve. In the irregular wave module, the calculations for all the 11 members of the Ochi-Hubble 6-param family of spectra will be carried out and output accordingl. In regular wave module, the number of frequencies in 2D calculation will be increased to 25. This will enhance the accuracy of 2D and 3D hydrodynamic coefficients, forces and moments. The regular wave module will take longer to finish. However, the calculation will still be fast enough that it will not be a concern in normal circumstances. Maximum number of speeds is set to 11 instead of 8. This will be been implemented in both regular wave module and irregular wave module calculations as well as post-processing. In speed polar plots, the speed increments for the polar plot have been refined to 2, 3 and 5 knots instead of 2, 5 and 10 knots. The default speed increment is set to 5 knots instead of 10 knots. The polar plot contours are calculated and drawn at a much smaller intervals, about half of what it was before. The combination of allowing 11 speeds to be calculated and a finer polar plot speed increments significantly enhances the accuracy of the contour calculation and polar plotting. Other improvements to the GUI Plan for Version 3.2 Improvement in Operational Index (OI) calculation in irregular wave post-processing; Improvement in Percentage Time of Operation (PTO) calculation in SEP (Sea-keeping Evaluation Program) module; In polar plots, provide a mechanism will have a Macro writing and reading capability to allow the user to save his/her existing polar/OI specifications to a file. The user will be able to open the macro file to add the saved polar/OI specifications. For example, let's assume that a certain operation has limits on ship roll angle, pitch angle, vertical acceleration, deck wetness and MII (Motion Induced Interruption). The user make these specifications once (for one sea state) and save them in a file. If the user wants to do the same polar plots and OI calculations for a different sea state, she/he can simply reuse them by opening that macro file. This file may also be used for any other ships; The Operation Index (OI) on the polar plot is calculated for all heading and speed combinations. Previous versions of VisualSMP could not calculate the OI for a subset of speeds or heading. In the new version, there is a new button "Cal OI for Specified Range". After click this button, a new dialog box will pop-up, the user can specify a speed range and/or heading range and the OI will be calculated for these ranges only. However, this does not change the OI on the polar plot, which is still for all speeds and headings; GUI will have new feature for creating (add) a bilge keel. When a new bilge keel is added, VisualSMP will automatically add all the stations that are in-between the specified forward and aft bilge keel stations to the bilge keel trace list. It will set the (halfwidth, waterline,angle) to (0,0,0). The user may use the next two new features to modify these values visually and automatically; GUI will have a new feature to visually highlight the current offset point in blue to distinguish it from other points; GUI will have a new feature which helps the user to visually modify/define a bilge keel trace point and angle. The user will be able to visually specify the bilge keel position (attachment point) for each station. The GUI will automatically calculate the bilge keel angle, either along the local surface's normal direction or along the line connecting the attachment point and the roll center if the position of the roll center is specified; Fine tune the slamming pressure or sectional force calculation and output; Increase the number of forward speeds limits of STH and SEP modules to 8, the same as the present limit for the regular wave module and irregular wave module; Fix problems/errors once found.
	Copyright © 2011 Alion Last modified: August 18, 2011