Formation Design Systems Releases "Workshop" Ship Construction Software.

Fremantle, WA, Australia, March 1st 1999.; Formation Design Systems today announced the final release of Workshop for Windows, a ship and boat construction detailing software system. Workshop forms a part of the widely used Maxsurf suite of naval architecture and ship construction software. This new release of Workshop now runs on the Windows 95/98/NT platform and marks the final stage in Formation Design Systems' conversion of all of its marine software products to the Windows platform.

Workshop offers a range of structural detailing capabilities including automated generation of longitudinals and stringers, definition of transverse frames with automatic cutouts, and definition and development of developable and compound hull plates. All of Workshop's capabilities are available via a point and click interface for defining parts directly on the hull surface as well as tabular and parametric definition of parts.

Formation Design Systems' Managing Director, Philip Christensen, describes the Windows release of Workshop as being "another step in our on-going plan to deliver ground-breaking, interactive, parametric design tools to naval architects and shipbuilders, on the industry's most widely used computer platform".

The Windows release of Workshop includes a range of new Windows specific capabilities including tree controls to more easily manage shape and material databases, floating and dockable toolbars for frequently used commands, and a new searchable on-line help system for both novice and experienced users. Workshop continues to offer the same suite of capabilities as its Macintosh version including direct definition of parts from the NURB surface model, automatic recalculation of parts in respond to hull changes, and an integrated database of parts which can be exported to other Windows programs.

Workshop for Windows is available immediately and is available in two versions - a professional version and a limited Workshop/P version which contains only plate development capabilities.

Workshop forms a part of the Maxsurf suite of naval architecture and ship construction software. Maxsurf is used by over 600 naval architects and shipbuilders worldwide to design and build vessels from 3-300 metres in length.

Formation Design Systems develops computer aided design software systems for naval architects, shipbuilders, engineers and designers. Its products are available on Windows 95/98/NT and Macintosh platforms and are used by industry, educational institutions and government defence organisations.