License &
Copyright iii
Table of Contents. v
Nomenclature. 7
About this Manual 9
Chapter 1 Introduction. 11
Automation. 12
VBA. 12
VBA Compatibility. 13
Object Models. 13
Uses of Automation. 13
What cant I automate?. 13
Speed. 14
Code Samples. 14
Early and Late Binding. 14
Initial Settings. 15
Object Browser 16
Further Reading. 17
The Maxsurf Object Model 19
Collections Objects and Lists. 19
Application Object 19
Design Object 20
Frame of Reference. 21
Grids. 21
Hydrostatics. 22
Surface. 22
Markers. 24
Preferences Object 25
Chapter 2 Getting Started. 27
Example of a Simple Macro. 27
Tutorial: Creating a Simple Hull Form.. 28
Tutorial Part 1: A Basic Maxsurf Script 28
Tutorial Part 2: Moving the Surface Control
Points. 29
Tutorial Part 3: Creating a Grid. 30
Tutorial Part 4: Calculating the Hydrostatics. 31
Tutorial Part 5: Combining the Code Segments. 32
Chapter 3 Basic Maxsurf Automation. 35
Basic Operations. 36
Opening and Closing a Design. 36
Saving and Exporting Designs. 37
Screen Updating and Refresh. 37
Working With The Design. 39
Frame of Reference Object 39
Grids Object 40
Hydrostatics Object 40
Marker Object 43
Surface Object 44
Preferences and Units. 47
Units. 47
Precision. 47
Chapter 4 Advanced Maxsurf Automation. 49
Using Collections. 50
Collection Properties. 50
Collection Methods. 50
Using Lists. 51
Declaring Lists. 51
List Properties. 52
List Methods. 53
Chapter 5 User Interface. 55
Change Title. 55
Screen updating. 55
Refresh. 56
Trimming. 56
Preferences. 56
Chapter 6 Examples. 57
Modifying Grid Lines in Excel 58
Exercise 1 - Inserting Section Lines for Hydromax. 62
Creating a Systematic Series. 64
Exercise 2 Optimising Code for Faster Execution. 69
Exercise 3 Placement of Containers in a
Container Ship. 70
Blending Hull Forms. 71
Exercise 4 Generic Code for Hull Blending. 73
Importing Markers into AutoCAD. 75
Importing Markers using Collections. 75
Importing Markers in an Array. 77
Importing Markers using Lists. 79
Creating a Chined Hull Vessel 81
Exercise 5 Finding the Displacement and
Immersion for the Chined Hull 83
Appendix A Object Model Summary. 84
Objects. 84
Enumerated Types. 84
Index. 87