Since there is a significant difference in the way in which SHCP and GHS interpret offsets, MC reads and processes the SHCP data in the same manner in which SHCP does. However, MC does a much more thorough job of checking the SHCP offsets for errors than SHCP does itself. Many of these errors, if undetected, can lead to serious errors in SHCP calculations. So we would say that even if you are using SHCP you need MC to check for errors!
Compared to the SHCP method of representing hull geometry, GHS uses a simpler representation which is more reliable and more suitable for automatic computation. (SHCP bases its representation on the requirements of Simpson's first rule for area integration.) However, the GHS representation (based on the requirements of trapezoidal integration) requires roughly twice as many points and stations to achieve a comparable level of precision. MC adds these points and stations automatically.
One interesting feature of the SHCP-to-GHS conversion is that longitudinal and transverse aberrations (due to incorrect station spacing in the SHCP model) become visible after the conversion. Even when the SHCP model is considered "clean" because no transverse "blips" are present, there may be "longitudinal blips" which would appear in the area curve only at certain waterplane orientations and would therefore be difficult to detect. The GHS form of representation avoids this problem, since all area curves are closely related to the model as it appears by inspection.
MC will read and write DXF files (2D or 3D). This allows a shape to be created in a CAD program (including digitizing from an existing body plan) and then converted into a Geometry File for use within GHS. It also allows stations from a Geometry File to be copied into a CAD drawing.
The OFE file format is used by some hull design systems as a means of exchanging shape data between programs. MC will both read and write OFE files. The PIAS EAG format is a simple offset list.
The IDF file format is described as "a neutral file format for exchange of
hull description data between marine programs". MC converts the "SECTION"
entity which describes the hull in terms of sectional curves. MC will both read and write IDF files.