The much-anticipated Orca3D Version 3 was just released by Orca3D LLC.

In addition to numerous improvements to the existing Orca3D capabilities for Hull Design and Fairing, Hydrostatics and Stability, Speed/Power Prediction, Weight/Cost Tracking, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Version 3 introduces a completely new optional module for Advanced Stability modeling and calculations.

Orca3D Version 3 modules
With Orca3D V3, four modules are available:

• DESIGN: Includes the Hull Design & Fairing, and Basic Hydrostatics & Stability features. This is equivalent to the previous Level 1.
• ANALYSIS: Includes the Speed/Power feature, the CFD interface, and the Weight & Cost feature. This is equivalent to the previous Level 2, except that it does not include the Level 1 functionality and is priced accordingly. The previous Level 2 is equivalent to the Design and Analysis modules together. The ANALYSIS module is not dependent on the DESIGN module so it may be purchased without the DESIGN module.
• ADVANCED STABILITY: Includes compartmentation and tank modeling, fluid and solid loads, unlimited load cases, free surface effects, intact and damaged stability with stability criteria evaluation, and tank tables. This is a major new module and is not an update/upgrade from Version 1/Version 2.
• ORCA3D MARINE CFD: Includes a special version of the SimericsMP CFD software. Requires the ANALYSIS module as a prerequisite.

New Features in Orca3D
Highlights of Orca3D Version 3 include:

• New optional Advanced Stability Module, including compartment and tank definition, fixed and fluid loads, multiple load cases, free surface effects, intact and damaged stability, tank tables, compartment/tank area & volume reports, and stability criteria evaluation. This is a significant upgrade in the capabilities of Orca3D and it is an optional module beyond the Level 1 and Level 2 modules that Orca3D has had in the past. See the Advanced Hydrostatics & Stability page for more information.
• New Wake Survey analysis and reporting function for Orca3D Marine CFD.
• New Propeller and Cavitation Analysis setup function for Orca3D Marine CFD (requires the Premium version).
• Unlimited number of conditions (Fixed Load Cases) may be saved for Basic Hydrostatics (replacing the single Design condition).
• Floodable Length calculation.
• Multiple sets of Section definitions, to be used for hull design and fairing, hydrostatics, or lines drawings and offset tables
• Grasshopper components for Hull Assistants, Basic Hydrostatics & Stability, Planing Hull Resistance, and Displacement Hull Resistance
• Weight Reports may now be grouped by Material.
• Stock Material Library now has Export and Merge functions, and the user may specify the location of the Library xml file
• Added flexibility in selection of surface(s) for Planing and Displacement Resistance prediction, as well as the Load Case to be used
• Addition of van Oortmerssen resistance method.
• Improved analysis reporting throughout.
• Rhino 8 compatibility. Version 3 is compatible with Rhino 7 and 8, but not earlier versions of Rhino (Version 2 is compatible with Rhino 6 and 7, but not 8).

Orca3D Version 3 licensing
With Orca3D Version 3, the editor is introducing further flexibility in licensing, by offering both Perpetual licenses and annual rentals:

• More licensing flexibility including the option of either a Perpetual license (as in the past) or an Annual license, as well as the ability to have different numbers of each module on a network license.
• Annual licenses are entitled to technical support, all minor updates (e.g., version 3.x to 3.y), and all major upgrades (e.g., version 3.x to 4.x) that are released during the license period.
• Perpetual licenses are entitled to technical support and all minor updates (e.g., version 3.x to 3.y). Major upgrades (e.g., version 3.x to 4.x) must be purchased.

Questions?
Rent or purchase? What upgrade for me? Educational & School licenses? Feel free to contact NDAR for any questions, be they technical or commercial.