New Orca3D Version (2.0.13) now available

We are happy to announce the release of Orca3D Version 2.0.13. This is a free update to Version 2 license holders. If you have a Version 1 license, please click here to purchase an upgrade to Version 2.

To update a previous installation of Orca3D Version 2, use the Control Panel to uninstall your current version. Next, download the installation file from this page. Double-click on the downloaded file to run it, and follow the instructions.

Following is a summary of what is new in Version 2.0.13, as well as the previous release, Versions 2.0.10, 2.0.11, and 2.0.13:

Release 2.0.13 (December 2019)

Bug Fixes

  • Modifications to NavCad export command related to mesh normal direction and meshing parameters.
  • Fixed a bug when defining propeller performance for self-propelled CFD simulations in which selecting user-defined Kt/Kq or constant thrust/torque options would not allow the user to continue.
  • Addressed an issue in the CFD report command, caused by an update to Excel, in which use of named ranges in formulas can result in “#SPILL” errors in the report.

Release 2.0.12 (November 2019)

Enhanced Features

  • Added view definitions of standard orthogonal views in SimericsMP so that the user can easily select Bodyplan, Profile, and Planview views
  • Extended the OrcaCreateStrake lifting strake command to include the option to have taper on aft end of strake (in addition to the forward end).

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed a bug in hydrostatics calculations that could occur in specific cases when the water density is changed. This would only impact free-float calculations and could result either in a hydrostatics calculation failure or an output condition whose weight did not match the input weight.
  • Fixed a bug in NavCad export command related to correct transformation of the hull geometry for NavCad.
  • Fixed a bug in the Simerics CFD report where Cf and Cr could be negative depending on model orientation; also handle the case where more than one .spro file exists in a folder where the integrals text file exists.
  • Fixed a bug in the Simerics propeller plot variable definitions

 

Release 2.0.11 (October 2019)

New Features:

  • A new command, OrcaNavCadAnalysis, was created that allows Orca3D to interface with the speed/power prediction program, NavCad, developed by HydroComp, Inc. This command requires geometry, hydrostatics, and other input from the Rhino model then exports this information to a script that can be imported into NavCad where additional analyses can be performed. This command is in Work-in-Progress (WIP) status. Please provide feedback on any issues related to this function.
  • Extended the OrcaSimericsAnalysis CFD command to include the ability to specify wake fraction input that is used for self-propelled simulations. The wake fraction can be a single value or a speed-dependent set of values, and it is used to determine the nominal inflow velocity into the actuator disk representation of the propeller.

Enhanced Features:

  • Modified the OrcaSimericsAnalysis CFD command to include a new face type classification. The “appendage” face classification can be used to exclude one or more model faces from the “hull” bounding box calculation during CFD grid refinement. Faces classified as appendages still have their own grid refinement zone around them, but in the case where an appendage extends well outside of the bounding box of the rest of the hull (such as a fin keel on a sailboat or a foil on a hydrofoil) this avoids unnecessary grid refinement caused by an artificially large hull bounding box.
  • Modified the form to assign Orca stock materials to geometry so that the dropdown combobox for selecting the material is sorted alphanumerically. This makes it more convenient to find the correct material when the list is quite long.
  • Modified Orca reports (hydrostatics, speed/power, weight/cost) so that they open in front of main Rhino window.

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed a bug in stability criteria evaluation for computing required freeboard to deck edge when the design condition does not have “Mirror” turned on.
  • Fixed a bug in the OrcaCreateStrake command where the projected base strake curve might not match the input curve when selecting a custom curve (due to a tolerance issue).

 

Release 2.0.10 (July 2019)

Bug Fixes:

  • Fixed a bug in the Orca3D Marine CFD Python script that is automatically generated. For now, all simulations will run to completion without any convergence checking to avoid premature ending of simulations.