That would be interesting if someone *cough*Guinness/Nobody*cough* could hack SS3b and figure out how to add in the code for the engine slider and the water resistance model so it would all work. AFAIK those and the weights/space calcs for the DCs and secondary mine storage are all that doesn't work short of the inevitable few bugs.

Nobody and Guinness are our tech genius's, no questions asked.

I think the other main problem was the lack of space calcs for the fuel, but that's a minor concern...
However, it would be nice if the default freeboard feature could be readded. Shouldn't take much work, just adding in a fixed code....

Quote from: Sachmle on April 11, 2010, 06:06:45 PM
That would be interesting if someone *cough*Guinness/Nobody*cough* could hack SS3b and figure out how to add in the code for the engine slider and the water resistance model so it would all work. AFAIK those and the weights/space calcs for the DCs and secondary mine storage are all that doesn't work short of the inevitable few bugs.

I feel honored, but what you call "hacking" is seriously beyond my capabilities. But if someone can get the SpringSharp source code (I remember someone wanted to ask the programmer *cough* P3D maybe? *cough*) and I manage to rewrite it in the language of my choice (Free Pascal/Lazarus), then things like that would be comparatively easy. And some help (especially with the user interface) would probably speed up the process.

Quote from: Nobody on April 12, 2010, 03:03:47 PM
I feel honored, but what you call "hacking" is seriously beyond my capabilities. But if someone can get the SpringSharp source code (I remember someone wanted to ask the programmer *cough* P3D maybe? *cough*) and I manage to rewrite it in the language of my choice (Free Pascal/Lazarus), then things like that would be comparatively easy. And some help (especially with the user interface) would probably speed up the process.

I did ask. I got no reply, however.

If by hacking you mean looking at decompiled .net source, yes I've spent some time in there... Nothing that those familiar with the spreadsheet wouldn't be familiar with.

If the underlying math is "public domain" a new version could be attacked from scratch. It would probably take me a year...

In other news, the minivan has been secured. Dark grey w/ grey interior. And yes I sprung for navigation and rear seat entertainment. Having only one car means one can afford some extravagances. I've got a big crush on xm satellite radio. I don't know if there is anything like that in Europe.

I couldn't do that- you're a better man than me. ;)
Nice wheels, though... TV's will come in handy with the little ones.

Quote from: Guinness on April 15, 2010, 06:11:23 PM
If the underlying math is "public domain" a new version could be attacked from scratch. It would probably take me a year...

Hmm...well I remember when Ian started on Springsharp he started from Springstyle and that Rich told him as long as it was freeware it was fair game. Whether or not Ian shares this opinion towards Springsharp I do not know.

It would be a lot easier if they had published with actual licenses. Grrr...

I've got a friend who does IP law. I may seek a consult.

Anyways, I started to dig into naval architecture, I might be able to put an excel springstyle-speadsheet together in some weeks. However, I have no clue how to write a program with user friendly interface, so that will need outside help from someone else.

Also it will still need some studies to get parameters done, so...

I also tried the "CalcU" ship design spreadsheet, Which has a serious drawback of being very user unfriendly.

Quote from: P3D on April 15, 2010, 07:00:39 PM
Anyways, I started to dig into naval architecture, I might be able to put an excel springstyle-speadsheet together in some weeks. However, I have no clue how to write a program with user friendly interface, so that will need outside help from someone else.

Also it will still need some studies to get parameters done, so...

I also tried the "CalcU" ship design spreadsheet, Which has a serious drawback of being very user unfriendly.

I have a copy of Harold's "Shipcalc"...that needs translated from German to English.

Hmm...wonder who could do that?  ;)

It's the same spreadsheet. I have two other versions which are at least partially translated.

Quote from: P3D on April 15, 2010, 07:46:00 PM
It's the same spreadsheet. I have two other versions which are at least partially translated.

Oh, I was unaware they were the same thing. I was recommending that perhaps our resident German, Nobody, could translate a copy. I know it's not user friendly, but at least if it's in English I can know what the parts I don't understand are called.

Mine ones have most of it translated - what is not are only auxiliary tables and column headings which most ppl don't need.
The main problem with CalcU, however, is that it cannot be used on its own unlike SpringSharp.

Since you are talking about the spreadsheets that originate from the German forum-marinearchiv.de then I have to say that there are indeed two different ones:

• Harold's "Calc-U"
  
• Huzar's  "Standard"
  Both are interesting in their own way, but I don't think they can replace SpringSharp. "Standard" for example is limited to ships from the 1930s (1925-1945) and 20000 to 55000 ts in size. The "Calu-U" on the other hand requires extensive knowledge about the ship you want to design, you have to input the exact width and the corresponding frame/rib/bulkhead-coefficient (no idea what the correct translation of "Spant" is) at a dozened places. The hull weight calculation however is quite interesting as is the calculation of the "natural speed" which differs from the value given by SpringSharp.
  
  P.S.:
  Shouldn't we move this discussion somewhere else?

Spant= frame or girder.

Funny tough, spant can be used in Flemish, but rib is more appropriate for a ships frame.