Workshop is able to automatically export part data in a format compatible with ShipConstructor. To export to ShipConstructor

Ø        Choose File | Export | ShipConstructor files

Ø        Choose the location of the files to be saved and click OK

Workshop will export all parts in ShipConstructor compatible format. You can Click cancel if you do not wish to save a specific part type (Eg frames) and Workshop will continue exporting the other part types.

Parts exported to ShipConstructor are always exported in mm or inches depending on whether the current units in Workshop are metric or imperial. ShipConstructor always expects the files it imports to be in mm or inches, and this means that the default import options can always be used when importing the files in ShipConstructor.

All the frames are exported to a single “.frm” text file.

You can also chose to export Frames as a plain 3D DXF and import it in a ShipConstructor Unit drawing by importing a DXF block. To do this:

Ø        Show only the frames in the Perspective window, no other structure or surfaces.

Ø        Set Units to mm, Precision to Highest and switch trimming on. Recalc All Frames if necessary.

Ø        File | Export | 3D DXF

Ø        Set the Precision to 1 or 2 decimal places (this will avoid points on the polyline to be exported with a Z-coordinate of eg 1500.001 mm instead of 1500.0 or 1500.00 respectively)

Ø        Click OK

This will export a 3D DXF which is a standard AutoCAD geometry data exchange format. See also Exporting Parts on page 79.

Stringers are exported in a series of text files with the “.str” file extension. Each stringer has its own file, based on the stringer’s name, so it is important that the stringers have unique names.

The stringer export function requires you to enter an offset value in a dialog.  ShipConstructor requires stringer paths defined along the edge of the stringer whereas Workshop defines stringer paths along the centre of the stringer web. Therefore when exporting the stringer, you should enter an offset of half the stringer web thickness. A positive value will move the stringer run along the girth away from the centreline and a negative value will move the stringer run towards the centreline.

Plates are exported in DXF format with the 3D plate on the _SLD layer and the expanded plate on the _PRD layer. The contours included on the expanded plate are those that are turned on for display in the Display | Visibility and Display | Structure dialogs. This allows users to control which contours are included on the expanded plates.

Each plate is output to its own DXF file, with the name based on the plate name, so it is important to have unique names for each plate. DXF files can be brought into AutoCAD using the Block Import command.

All the decks are exported to a single “.wln” text file. Decks work exactly the same as Frames and can also be exported as 3D DXF.