From 2D Lines to 3D Precision: Updating a Cruise Vessel with Orca3D
Overview
In this Orca3D Customer Spotlight, we’re pleased to feature the work of Majestic Cruise Lines and naval architect Kam Mitchell, who used Orca3D to successfully transform legacy design documents into a fully compliant, class-approved Trim and Stability Booklet for an existing 134-meter cruise ship.
Starting with scanned 2D lines plan drawings, Kam used Rhino and Orca3D to develop a complete 3D model, including all of the internal compartments and tanks along with the loading conditions and subsequent stability analyses needed to demonstrate that the ship meets modern standards. The resulting documentation was submitted to and approved by Lloyd’s Register (LR).
Project Goals & Background
The mission was clear: Create an updated, accurate Trim and Stability Booklet for an older cruise vessel using today’s best tools and workflows. With the original documentation being outdated and incomplete, Kam began by digitizing the lines plan and developing a full 3D model of the vessel’s hull, tanks, and internal compartment geometry. The final deliverable included:
- Updated cross curves and hydrostatics
- Tank tables with detailed free surface moment (FSM) calculations
- A complete, accurate Trim and Stability Booklet in compliance with class requirements
Vessel Profile
- Vessel Type: Cruise Ship
- Length Overall (LOA): 134 meters
- Design Considerations: Existing hull form with limited historical data
Photo Credit: Majestic Cruise Lines
Using Orca3D: From Legacy Lines to Class Approval
Kam relied on Orca3D’s comprehensive naval architecture tools to go from scanned drawings to class-approved documentation. The following features were central to the project’s success:
Hull Design & Fairing
Orca3D’s hull modeling tools allowed Kam to carefully match the scanned lines plan in all three dimensions, no small feat given the age and complexity of the original data.
Subdivision Tools, Loading Editor, & Stability Criteria Editor
These tools were essential for modeling the vessel’s many internal tanks, defining operational loading cases, and generating outputs that met class formatting and analysis standards.
Advanced Stability Analyses
With Orca3D’s support for free surface moment calculations across all loading conditions, Kam was able to replace outdated max FSM values with precise data, boosting both accuracy and confidence in the results.
"Orca3D is an extremely powerful set of tools that can handle any project that needs stability information. From hull design to tank development, the learning curve was easy and the results were accurate and easily presented."
— Kam Mitchell, Naval Architect, Majestic Cruise Lines
Challenges & Solutions
The main challenge: Working with an existing hull form without modern CAD files or digital geometry.
Kam overcame this by:
- Using Rhino and Orca3D to carefully rebuild the 3D model from legacy drawings
- Running stability and hydrostatics with confidence, even in complex loading conditions
- Leaning on Orca3D support from Bruce Hays and Larry Leibman, who helped resolve modeling questions and streamline the workflow
“Bruce and Larry were extremely helpful throughout. They were quick to respond and always clear in explaining the calculations and tools.”
— Kam Mitchell, Naval Architect, Majestic Cruise Lines
Project Timeline & Approval
- Project Duration: November 2023 – June 2025
- Client: Majestic Cruise Lines
- Regulatory Submission: Approved by Lloyd’s Register (LR)
Impact
The outcome of the project was a modern, compliant, and easy-to-use Trim and Stability Booklet, which replaced legacy documents with a format that’s clear, functional, and ready for operational use. It’s also a prime example of how Orca3D can bridge the gap between traditional naval architecture practices and modern simulation and modeling workflows.
Conclusion
This project highlights how Orca3D makes it possible to modernize vessel documentation, even when starting with scanned legacy plans. With a flexible and intuitive set of tools, backed by responsive support, Majestic Cruise Lines was able to meet regulatory requirements and deliver a polished final product.
Whether you're modeling a new build or updating legacy vessels, Orca3D delivers the tools naval architects need to get the job done, accurately and efficiently.