Advances of ship surface modeling

The mathematical description of ship hull surface is of significance. It can be used to calculate the hydrostatic and hydrodynamic properties of ship and to supply necessary data for subsequent CAM apart from hull model visualization. Ship hull modeling offers a universal platform for design, analysis, manufacture and management to improve efficiency and precision. It will lay a solid foundation for the implementation of CIMS in the shipbuilding. Development of mathematical methods related to sculptured surface modeling is reviewed, and their applications to hull surface modeling at home and abroad during recent decades are summarized. With perfect properties, NURBS surface has become main method of freeform surface modeling. The key techniques for NURBSbased hull form modeling are presented and some difficulties that need further research are also discussed.