CAD MODELING OF A LUXURY PREDATOR SUPER-YACHT

OBJECTIVE: CAD MODELING OF A LUXURY PREDATOR SUPER-YACHT (CUSTOM COSMETIC MODEL)

SOFTWARE USED:

3D Modeling: DS SolidWorks (2016)

Render tool: SolidWorks PhotoView 360

INTRODUCTION

Computer-Aided Design or CAD practices are extensively popular in various contemporary professional domains including Product Design, Industrial Design, Engineering R&D, etc., and thus counts as an essential pre-requisite for the role of a Design Engineer. The purpose of this CAD project is to obtain hands-on experience and insights on different aspects of 3D modeling such as solid modeling, surface modeling, assembly creation, as well as to photorealistic rendering practices. The model created in this project is a cosmetic version of the Predator Super-Yacht i.e. the emphasis is primarily on the outer body (also called as the A-Surface) and the aesthetic features (with customized appearances), and not on the internal technical functionalities. The whole model is divided into components that are created individually and assembled together by defining the constraints, resulting in the final desired product.

Model Components:

• Propeller
• Radar (Scanner)
• Hull
• Garage Door
• Seats – Front, Middle, Rear
• Superstructure
• Radar Mast

Besides the components, a file containing the blueprints (referred to as Blueprint Setup) of the Yacht model in various views is also created as reference for the body contours. Each view is inserted on to appropriately placed sketch planes, named as Front, Back, Bottom, Top and Mid-Plane, which provide an image reference to work out the projected curves and surface trims.

3D MODELING TECHNIQUES

• Solid Modeling – The method involves manipulating the bulk of on object via volume addition or subtraction commands. The object is treated as watertight as the internal details are also included in the model. Boolean operations like union, intersection and subtraction can be applied on solid bodies to form the required geometry. Intricate detailing can be carried out in solid modeling much easily and also since the geometry can be made parametric, revising the steps updates the whole model accordingly.
• Surface Modeling – This modeling focuses more on the outer shell of the object i.e. the exterior tangible surface. Defining the boundaries and shaping the surfaces through complex curves form the essence of this type of modeling. It allows free-forming of shapes much flexibly that aid in creating aesthetically appealing product designs.

The object formed using surface modeling is a hollow entity and is not considered watertight by default. However, if a closed volume with multiple surfaces is formed, these can be joined together with appropriate spatial or gap tolerance and then converted into a solid body.

Commands Used in the Model:

• General - Sketch, 3D sketch, Insert [Part], Trim/ Extend Entities, Offset Entities, Convert Entities, Project Curve, Reference Geometry [Plane], Helix and Spiral, Split-Line, Split, Mirror, Linear Pattern, Circular Pattern, Sketch Pattern, Sketch Picture
• Solid Model - Boss-Extrude, Boss-Extrude [Thin], Swept-Boss, Revolved-Boss, Lofted-Boss, Cut-Extrude, Dome, Shell, Fillet, Chamfer
• Surface Model – Extruded-Surface, Offset-Surface, Swept-Surface, Lofted-Surface, Filled-Surface, Boundary-Surface, Ruled-Surface, Extend-Surface, Trim Surface, Knit Surface, Thicken, Delete Face, Fillet

DESIGN METHODOLOGY

Most of the transport vehicles have design geometry symmetric about their vertical centre plane i.e. Mid-Plane, or in other words, the two half sections of the object are mirror image of one another. The same approach is taken while making the Predator Super-Yacht CAD model. Only one half of the components are created which show symmetry about their mid-planes, and the other half is generated using the ‘Mid-Plane Mirror’ method to obtain the complete component model.

Surface modeling commands are employed to make the exterior body of the components, namely Hull, Seats (Front, Rear) and Superstructure. A closed half section of these components are built using multiple combined surfaces followed by converting it to a solid entity upon which further aesthetic detailing can be done.

On the other hand, the components namely Radar (Scanner), Garage Door and Radar Mast, are built directly as solid bodies and completed using the Mid-Plane Mirror method.

MODELING THE COMPONENTS OF THE SUPER-YACHT

(I) Propeller

The section sketch of the propeller hub is revolved as a solid and bore for the shaft created. The cross-section of blades is sketched on two distant parallel planes for lofted-boss feature (with apt twist). The curve to the blades is given by filleting feature, and is patterned around the hub using circular pattern.

(II) Radar (Scanner)

One half of the radar is built by extruding the base cross-section and offset entities consecutively as solid entities. Fastener heads are made then copied to other points using sketch pattern. The complete model is created using Mid-Plane Mirror method.

(III) Hull

With the help of the Yacht Blueprint setup, the outer contour of the hull is generated using projected curves and multiple surfaces that are later knitted to form a solid, upon which the further design detailing is based such as the propeller shafts, anchor hinges, railings, staircase and the garage region (whose split body volume is exported as a separate part for garage door model). A coincident surface to the deck is stored as a separate surface body to be used as base reference for the seats. Desired decals and appearances are added after creating the entire hull via Mid-Plane Mirroring.

(IV) Garage Door

The solid form for the tilt-up canopy type garage door is obtained from the region volume split from the hull. By removing excess volume and using shell command, the shape of the door is obtained. Since the split volume was obtained half model of the hull, Mid-Plane Mirroring yields the full door. Suitable engraving and appearance setting adds to the final looks.

(V) Seats

As a reference to start modeling the seats, the copy of the deck surface alone is inserted in within the Blueprint setup file. The surface serves as the plane to create necessary 2D sketches. The seat modeling uses the Mid-Plane Mirror approach as well. Further, to make separated solid volumes for entities like Jacuzzi mattress, cushions, backrest, etc, the Offset-Surface and Cut-Extrude commands aid in giving spatial gaps that split one solid body into multiple meaningful sections, which can later be mirrored individually.

• Front Seat

The molded contour of front seat side structure is built initially as a closed surface model. The Jacuzzi mattress and seats are made as revolved entities to obtain the curved orientation, which are separated from the base structure.

• Middle Seat

The middle seat is simply created with the basic solid modeling commands. Reference planes with required spacing are used to separate different elements like base, cushion and backrest. The centre-table is however, made as a whole entity without requiring to be mirrored

• Rear Seat

The outer shell of the rear seat is formed via combining several surfaces together. Instead of creating redundant reference places to incorporate details (like boundary gap for side-drawer, the hinges and knob, etc.), the sketches for these purposes can be drawn in a single plane consecutively and transferred on to the a desired surface using the ‘Offset from Surface’ property of these commands. The side grilles are generated as separate solid entities. After Mid-Plane Mirroring, the flag post is made and the flowing flag affect is achieved as a lofted surface through sets of 3D splines.

(VI) Superstructure

The Blueprint setup as well as the Deck surface (from the hull model) serves as the base reference to create the Superstructure. The complex A-surface (or the exterior shape) of the superstructure is formed by knitting together numerous surfaces, starting from the bottom side panels up till the rooftop.

As a fool-proof design methodology, knitting operation is performed after modeling every 3-4 surfaces. This helps to ensure that any occurring gaps can be diagnosed and corrected whilst modeling and thus, reduce the efforts for extensive revision of the model if any leaks come up. Again, ‘Offset from Surface’ property is applied to transfer features to desired surfaces without having to create additional reference planes. A coincident surface copy of the roof panel where Radar Mast is to be attached, is stored separately (similar to deck surface) to be used as reference for modeling the same.

Different appearances are added to create effects for Jacuzzi water, windshield/ window glass.

(VII) Radar Mast

The copy of roof panel from the superstructure file serves as reference for this model. The winged base, transmitter housing, support railings, radio antenna, radar scanner mount, navigation lights, fog-horn are all created as solid bodies. The Radar Mast base mounting is extruded up to the roof panel surface for better integration during assembly.

Similar to previous Yacht components, Mid-Plane Mirroring yield the full model. However, since the fog-horns are not positioned symmetrically about the mid-plane, a separate reference plane is defined for mirroring the same and resulting in a set of fog-horns.

ASSEMBLY OF THE COMPONENTS

With all the components completed, SolidWorks assembly window is used to integrate and construct the final cosmetic model of the Predator Super-Yacht.

As the deck and rooftop surfaces have served as spatial references for some of the components (Seats, Superstructure, and Radar Mast), these can be directly inserted and fixed in the assembly window without any additional constraints.

If any amendments in terms of appearances or geometry are made at component level i.e. in the requisite part file, the assembly file is then updated/ rebuilt to incorporate these changes.

Component	Mate Condition(s)
Hull	- Fixed (All planes coincident with assembly interface’s default planes)
Superstructure	- Fixed (As the base readily coincides with deck surface)
Radar Mast	- Fixed (As the roof panel is used for base reference)
Front Seat	- Fixed (As the base readily coincides with deck surface)
Middle Seat	- Fixed (As the base readily coincides with deck surface)
Rear Seat	- Base of the seat coincident with deck surface - Mid-planes of Hull and Rear Seat coincident - Mid-point at the back of the seat at desired distance from deck end-point (250 mm)
Garage Door	- Pivot-pin for door at Hull concentric with its hole on the Garage Door - Mid-planes of Hull and Garage Door coincident - CLOSE: Bottom edge of Door parallel to the garage floor - OPEN: Bottom edge of the Door at desired angle to the garage floor (110˚)
Radar (Scanner)	- Mount on Radar Mast concentric hole in Radar - Upper end of the mount on Radar Mast coincident with inner face of the hole in Radar - CENTRE RADAR: Mid-planes of Radar Mast and Radar coincident
Propeller (3 No.’s)	- Propeller Hub bore concentric with Shaft at Yacht’s Stern - End face of propeller Hub coincident with the stepped face on the shaft [Rotation of the propeller may be locked if desired]

With all mate conditions applied, a well-defined assembly model of the Luxury Predator Super-Yacht is completed.

PHOTO-REALISTIC RENDERING

After the assembly, real-world view (or Renderings) of the model can be generated. The rendering process is carried out using PhotoView 360.

Setting up the Model window

• The Perspective Display mode is switched on and different Camera views can be added.
• The background and scene composition can be then done either via the ‘Appearance, Scene and Lighting’ section in the Feature manager or by selecting ‘Render Tools’ ribbon from the SolidWorks Add-ins.
• The Scene can be adjusted for background, the required environment or the lighting values (such as for background/ rendering brightness and reflectivity).
• Render options provide the choices to select render image size, its format and additional quality refinement settings like Bloom and Direct Caustics, which add to the real-world vibe of the model.
• Light sources in form of sunlight, directional-lights or spot-lights can also be applied as per one’s effect requirements.
• Integrated Window and Preview Window options allow for running a test render to provide a preliminary visualization of the model and facilitate any minute scene/ lighting tuning before processing the Final Renders.

The following are the final Renderings of the Luxury Predator Super-Yacht processed for various views.

(i) Isometric View

(ii) Top View

(iii) Side View

(iv) Front View

(v) Back View

Additional Renderings -

SUMMARY

The aim of the project is to create a virtual CAD model of a Luxury Predator Super-Yacht (Cosmetic Version) using SolidWorks. The work intends on strengthening the designer’s hold over a spectrum of modeling commands and elucidate few approaches pertaining product designing. In order to simplify the process, the Yacht is divided into certain components. Each of the components is created individually using both, solid and surface modeling techniques. The complex aesthetic contours of the components are created using multiple surface bodies, which are combined to form a closed watertight hollow volume, feasible of being converted to a solid body. Further intricate details are added once the solid body has been formed. The modeling process employs the ‘Mid-Plane Mirror’ method which is most viable for generating CAD model of objects that are symmetrical about a central plane. At the assembly stage, all the components of the Yacht are combined together with appropriately defined mates/ constraints. To perceive the product in a real-world environment, renderings of the model are processed with suitable scene and light settings using the PhotoView 360 tool.

Link to all Model files and Renderings:-

https://drive.google.com/file/d/192c4M-uwchVKjTE3dcKnueRZOe4KQlw4/view?usp=sharing