The Orca3D Analysis Module brings together weight and cost management, parametric speed and power prediction, and the interface to Orca3D Marine CFD in a single Rhino-based workflow. It is designed for naval architects and marine designers who need to move beyond hull geometry and better understand the engineering, performance, and commercial implications of a design as it develops. By keeping these tools connected to the same Rhino model, Orca3D helps users evaluate critical design decisions earlier and with less manual rework. One of the core capabilities of the Analysis Module is Weight & Cost Management. In vessel design, weight, center of gravity, and cost are fundamental drivers of stability, speed, payload, seakeeping, manufacturability, and overall project success. Orca3D extends the Rhino model by allowing users to assign weight and cost properties directly to curves, surfaces, solids, and point objects. For example, a hull surface can be assigned a weight per unit area, and as that geometry changes, the overall weight and center of gravity update automatically. Cost can also be tracked in a practical way by separating material cost and labor/fabrication cost, and applying those values on a per-unit-area, per-unit-length, per-unit-volume, or fixed-value basis. Orca3D also includes a stock material library, making it easier to define and reuse common materials such as steel plate, composite laminates, or other standard construction elements across the model. This gives designers a much stronger handle on weight, balance, and cost as the design evolves. The module also includes Parametric Speed & Power Prediction, giving designers a faster way to estimate performance during concept development. One of the most common early-stage questions in vessel design is simply, how fast will it go? Orca3D helps answer that question using established prediction methods suited to different vessel types. These include the Savitsky method for chine hulls, the Holtrop method for displacement hulls, and the van Oortmerssen method for tugs and trawlers. Many of the required input values are computed automatically from the Rhino model, though users can also review, enter, or override parameters as needed. Results are presented in professionally formatted reports that summarize input data, compare the design to the validity limits of the selected method, and present performance data versus speed in both tabular and graphical form. Parameters that fall outside the intended range of a method are flagged, helping users understand when a parametric estimate is appropriate and when a more advanced approach may be needed. The Analysis Module also serves as the gateway to Orca3D Marine CFD. It includes the interface that connects the Rhino and Orca3D model to the higher-fidelity CFD workflow used with SimericsMP. This gives designers a clear path from quick conceptual prediction methods to more advanced hydrodynamic simulation when the project requires it. For conventional designs, the speed and power tools can provide fast early guidance. For more challenging cases — such as hulls with appendages, non-standard geometry, dynamic effects, or conditions outside the valid range of empirical methods — the CFD interface allows users to move into a deeper level of analysis without leaving the broader Orca3D workflow. Overall, the Orca3D Analysis Module helps transform the Rhino model from a geometric representation into a more complete engineering tool. By combining weight and balance tracking, cost awareness, performance prediction, and access to CFD, it gives designers better visibility into how a design will behave, what it will weigh, what it may cost to build, and whether it is ready for more advanced analysis. The result is a more informed and efficient design process, with better decisions made earlier in development.
