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Drafting = Developing flat drawings of individual parts or overall conceptual designs for engineering or for CNC cutting and fitting of parts   Lofting = Giving the flat parts three dimensional density and erecting them into a virtual model to promote the idea and/or to test form, fit, and function     A Brief History   At the outset of this business we began generating 2D plan views for our customers. One of our first MARINE drafting projects was to draw the 65' outriggers for 105' Gulf Trawlers being built by Kennedy Ship and Repair. Since then we've developed many drawings ranging from individual components to entire vessels and lofing facility plans from 2D prints to 3D animations.   Anyone who has tried this knows the difficulty in getting a vector file from AutoCAD® into a raster imaging program. It took a while to figure it out but we did. By producing digital paintings using our AutoCAD® drawings as a template we were able to provided a more realistic view based on insuring that the height and width ratios remained equal so that when built, it would look like what the CAD drawings represented.   As we began to offer more digital paintings the result was an amazing increase in interest, but we were still no better off than with a hand painted illustration.   We could only provide one view at a time and any significant change at the conceptual level meant that we had to start over if we wanted to keep the drawings and digital image as true-to-life representations. We needed something better. However, we didn't need one so complex as to develop the entire ship construction plans and finite analysis information. We leave that to the engineers and naval architects. We wanted to deliver a realistic view, but only if it could be built as we show it and only if we could continue to capitalize on the work after the project was underway.   Because we wanted our work to cross-platform with that of engineering we needed to loft 2D plans in a way to formulate a more realistic view without losing our ability to send them back to the NA for engineering. This led us to search for a program that was compatible with AutoCAD® and although we had improved on the ability to generate 3D AutoCAD® (even within it's limited abilities) the program also proved that it was simply not suited for rendering and animation. Besides, we wanted to follow every project through to maintain a documented history ranging from the first concept renderings on to a video production years later.   Behind the scenes we began to see a trend in 3D at the industry market level and at the software level. We Beta tested a number of programs which eventually led us to a set of what have become Autodesk products. VIZ and 3DMAX.   We can import or export AutoCAD® and other formats. Everything is dimensioned according to the AutoCAD architecture. There is no need to produce and track dozens of different drawings during the conceptualization stage so the process can move much faster through those first level planning stages.   If we need to know what our client thinks, we simply position the virtual camera and snap a few pictures for e-mailing. The process offers faster feedback from the client and that, in turn, helps reduce overall cost of conceptualization.   Using 3D lofted files to develop the plans or from the original CAD drawing we've sent our data to the CNC programmer for waterjet, flame, laser, machining, and etching, therefore, we've proven that we can use our lofted images as the framework for importation into CNC programs.   Paper to Electronic Digital Files   This helm chair is just one example of converting paper plans to digital format for an object that will be used in the completed model.   At the Pacific Marine Expo our client pointed out this specific chair (Left) as being the one he wanted at his helm but with a gray Velour material and sans the arm rest controls. Using pictures taken at the show and a brochure with dimensions we made this 3D model of the helm chair (Right).   Our dedication to acquiring actual, real world dimensions means that the mounting bolt pattern, height, width, and capable functions are directly correlated to the real world object and can be placed directly into the 3D lofted model of his vessel. We can view it from different angles, make sure it fits and functions correctly, and if the owner doesn't like it, we can change it. Color, texture, position..., or the whole chair.   A NOTE TO OEM COMPONENT SUPPLIERS - We understand the sensitivity of releasing OEM product drawings. Please be assured that our purpose is to insure accuracy in design, form, fit, and function on behalf of our clients. We do not resale nor purvey your drawings outside of the immediate design team or unless we have your specific written permission.

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