Importing files into Delftship

[woodartist]

I have never used a cad program before for starts, however I have downloaded the free version of the software, I am trying to import plans. I have the same plans in jpeg, bmp, and tif files. I would like to learn how to use the software but can not find a basic tutorial to get started. I thought that if if loaded in some boat plans that I have that it would be a place to start. But when i try to load the plans into the app it appears that Delftship only recognize fbm or bak files. How can i proceed? Is there a basic tutorial online?

[sheepsail]

There is a really good tutorial I downloaded.  The title is Modelling a ship's hull with Delftship - CAD and 3D Modelling_Drafting Plans with Software - Model Ship World™.pdf When I pasted the title it looks like it attached a link to this thread as well.

 

This is a bit dated, the basics remain.  Most of the changes are to the UI graphics.

 

My workflow is to use Lightburn, the laser etching program, which works much like Adobe Illustrator.  This is to clean up the drawing.  I then export Illustrator.  Sadly apple remove support for Postscript and Illustrator in the latest OS.  So I have to use an old copy to convert it to PNG.  I like PNG as it is not frequency compressed like JPG.

 

DELFTShip has no trouble importing PNG file.  There are three background images, which move around to the 6 sides of the cube as the model is moved, so sometimes they are mirrored.   Sadly DELFTShip does not import SVG or PDF vector images, only bitmaps.

 

DELFTShip also only runs on Windows, so I have to sneaker net the graphics to a windows machine. 

 

The workflow is a bit strange in DELFTShip.  It does not use the normal English based verb action syntax.  I suspect it is closer to dutch grammar.   There are no menus, only Icons.  Each Icon group has functions.  I also find that there is a lot of keyboard activity using the control rather than the shift key to select things.   The three buttons on the mouse, work a bit different as well.  Right is used for dragging, rather than pressing down on the scroll wheel.

There is also a lot of flipping between the icon ribbons.  For some reason one has to edit in the station locations rather than click and drag them.  Even though they are highlighted.   One really needs to write down the table of offsets.  I think the program can import these as a CSV spreadsheet.  I have not tried that as yet.  

 

Scaling is done either when the images are imported, or in the parameters section.   It is easy to get a fencepost, where the model is off by a foot, as the scale starts at zero.   I like to number the scale on the drawing.

 

-julie

 

 

[sheepsail]

I just noticed that I somehow uploaded the wrong PDF.  That one uploaded is a link to a thread.  

Part 1-DELFTship_Bkgrd_Images.pdf

Part 2-DELFTship_Bkgrd_Images.pdf

Part 3-DELFTship_Bkgrd_Images.pdf

Part 4-DELFTship_Bkgrd_Images.pdf

Part 5-DELFTship_Bkgrd_Images.pdf

It is interesting that when I copy the file name, it creates a link to it.  Does save searching for it.  I think these are buried on the NRG pages.

I print these out as I find the hardcopy is easier to use when I am on the WIndows machine.

 

Once I correct the fencepost errors in the Saginaw model, I plan on writing it up in more detail.    I got more involved with the physical Forester model which I never imported into DELFTShip.

 

-julie

 

 

[CDR_Ret]

Hey, Julie,

 

I think those are the files for my Background Images tutorial that I created back in 2022 when I was still primarily using DELFTship. The files can be found here in MSW.

 

You are correct that the instructions are a bit dated, but the principles are still pretty much the same. Those instructions were created with reference to DELFTship v. 19.10 (328). The current program version is 17.30 (358). (Don't ask me how the version numbering system works . . .)

 

The instructions are best for providing the steps for approaching a project. The D/S manual is and has been very weak on how to get into constructing a model. It tells you what each feature does, but very little on processes.

 

Terry

[woodartist]

9 hours ago, sheepsail said:

There is a really good tutorial I downloaded. 

the pdf files really help.Thanks so much, I will figure this out somehow.