Creative Systems, Inc.

Developer of GHS, BHS and GLM software for Naval Architects, Slavage Engineers and Ship Operators.

Press Releases

January 2012

GHS Training Form

To facilitate requests for training Creative Systems, Inc. has developed an on-line form. It provides our normal locations for training, as well as classes offered. Additionally, one can request classes for other GHS processes.

Between the Events web page, and this new web page with a training form, we hope to keep our clients updated. One can access this new web page either by going to the Events web page, or type: http://www.ghsport.com/support/trainingform.htm .

Currently, the standard classes offered are: General GHS, Intermediate GHS in Salvage Operations, and Advanced GHS in DAMSTAB2. An Intermediate GHS class in MaxVCG is in the works. Additionally, custom classes, as well as different locations, can occur in discussions with Creative Systems.

January 2012

GHS Version 13.00 Released

The annual update of GHS (General HydroStatics) ship stability software and its derivative, BHS, was released at the end of December with shipments in January to all users having current maintenance subscriptions completed in January, 2012. This 13.00 release represents improvements over the previous 12.50 release.

Updates occurred in GHS and Print Plot (PP), as well as in these Optional Modules: AF, CG, CR, LE, LEw, LS, MB, MC, PM, and SE.

Included are over 105 new features and 91 performance and reliability enhancements. Many of the new additions are incremental improvements to existing features, making this mature software even more complete and convenient.
  • Faster performance with multiple processors, with typical speedups of 20-30% on dual-core and 40% on quad-core machines;
  • Ship profile graphics on plots for Floodable Lengths, Longitudinal Strength, etc.;
  • Crane modeling improvements, including support for knuckle-booms;
  • New Light Ship weight distribution report table & plot with vessel profile;
  • Composite Max VCG identification of source for each result;
  • Improved handling of progressive flooding and flow calculations;
  • User variables in Part Maker, which are carried in the Geometry File;
  • Part Maker ELBOW statement for elbow-shaped parts;
  • Part Maker KLOCUS statement for designating knuckle sections;
  • Condition Graphics automatic synchronization, frame labels, shading control, etc.
  • Other major enhancements: free surface both sides option; cosine-constant heeling moment; Modbus communications; international character sets for certain languages; improved plot readability; print preview scrolling; all-in-one public print files; document search features; window position control; load editor enhancements.
  • As usual, hundreds of small improvements and bug fixes that further advance the performance and reliability of this software.

View the complete list of improvements in GHS 13.00.

All users with maintenance subscriptions receive the new version along with documentation updates.

January 2011

GHS Version 12.50 Released

The annual update of GHS (General HydroStatics) ship stability software and its derivative, BHS, was released at the end of December with shipments to all users having current maintenance subscriptions to be completed in January, 2011. The 12.50 release represents several improvements over the previous 12.00 release. Included are over 50 new features and over 100 performance and reliability enhancements. Many of the new additions are incremental improvements to existing features, making this mature software even more complete and convenient. Some of the new additions in this update are,
  • Additional support for progressive flooding and flow calculations

  • Further refinements in probabilistic damage, oil outflow and MODU criteria

  • Crane modeling with detailed graphics supporting standard & knuckle booms

  • Extended handling of open hoppers including sliding and solid cargo with several modes of water over cargo

  • Graphical reporting of wind pressure & speed versus height

  • Shell Surface Area reporting included in the main program

Other major enhancements: new flood-point height limit; special upright waterplane mode; seakeeping file export; bonjean data tables; deadweight scale wizard; printing enhancements; load editor enhancements; many new vessel geometry & part maker features; preliminary language support allowing error messages to be translated into any language.

View the complete list of improvements in GHS 12.50.

All users with maintenance subscriptions receive the new version along with documentation updates.



October 2010

Creative Systems, Inc. welcomes John W. Christian as Manager of Business and Marketing.



John started his maritime career at Kings Point, USMMA, in the 1970's performing classwork on facility-sized mainframes, while Creative Systems was developing stability software on similar machines in Seattle. Since then John has accumulated wide-ranging experience in marine and computer technology while Creative Systems has become a leading supplier of marine software. John combines experience in merchant, naval, and offshore activities, both international and domestic, with business, computer, and training backgrounds. He is that link, often missing, between the engineers and the real world.

John sailed various types and sizes of vessels as a Mate, Naval Officer and Pilot, and was Ship Stability Officer on some of them, including semi-submersibles. Seven years in Navy Intelligence allowed him to become familiar with all types of vessels and their capabilities. His background in computers, especially systems integration, will add to Creative Systems' technology base. He also brings training skills, with more than ten years instructing in the Navy and five years as faculty at universities; and business-management skills from more than twenty-five years in the business world.

His formal education includes Master's degrees in Business Administration, Technology Management and Computer Information added to his Bachelor's in Nautical Science and Marine Transportation. John is well-equipped to understand the needs of the naval architects, salvage engineers, navies, coast guards, regulatory agencies, and ship operators who depend on the GHS software. Creative Systems welcomes John Christian as an asset to this community.



June 2009

Modeling Cranes on Barges Just Became Easier with GHS

A new addition to GHS software, the Crane Module, makes life a little easier for naval architects charged with calculating the complicated effects of a crane's performance on barges. Although the Crane Module is useful for modeling any crane, it is especially powerful in modeling large cranes with multiple hooks mounted on a barge or ship.

Crane manufacturers give a limit to the amount of machine list allowed as the boom lifts and/or rotates," explains Ed Glowacki, owner of Glowacki Engineering, an engineering consulting firm in Florida specializing in naval architecture, "and these cranes are designed to operate on virtually level ground." Glowacki's consulting firm is often called upon to create a modified crane chart for cranes installed on ships and barges -- surfaces that are anything but level. These calculations can be incredibly time-consuming, as lifting capacities must account for dynamic loads outside of what is normally included in a crane's design. In the past, these calculations required time-consuming analysis moving back and forth among different software environments. "Now I can develop modified crane charts, keeping an eye on machine list, within one module," adds Glowacki.

The Crane Module was originally developed as a GHS Load Monitor for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's Gate Lifter," explains Bill Plice, president of Creative Systems, Inc., maker of GHS software. "We created a tool that produces reports showing the results of given lifts including data from a range of swing angles." Plice notes that customers drive the direction of GHS software, and this module is a direct result of customer necessity.

Two other optional modules within GHS not only enhance Crane Module's function, they will also expand its capabilities. GHS Load Editor with Windows module (LEw), takes full advantage of the Crane Module's interactive features. When LEw employs the Crane Module, a crane input window appears within the main LEw window for input of hook load, azimuth and elevation angles. A crane data window reports the response in terms of crane trim and list, effective elevation, effective radius and load percentage capacity. This feature is also available in the GHS Load Monitor (GLM) for on board use.

The Multi-Body (MB) optional module allows GHS to handle multiple floating bodies with points of contact between them. In terms of the Crane Module, MB allows for utilization of additional geometry files to enhance the screen display. With the addition of MB, the boom azimuth graphic, for example, responds to the boom azimuth angle. Though the new Crane Module may be used interactively with other optional modules within GHS, they are not required.

For more information on the Crane Module or other specialized applications for GHS software, visit www.ghsport.com or email support@ghsport.com.



January 2009

Another Record-Breaking Year for GHS Software

Creative Systems, Inc., makers of GHS (General HydroStatics) software, reports another record breaking year in 2008. We attribute our strong growth, particularly over the last few years, to expanding our global market and continually producing a reliable, comprehensive and powerful tool for stability analysis, explains Julie Knott, business manager for Creative Systems, Inc.

GHS software has been in development for over 30 years and since marine technology is not static, neither is GHS. We are constantly upgrading our software in response to feedback from our users, explains Stephen Schumacher, chief programmer and vice president of Creative Systems, Inc. In fact, on any given day, a customer's specialized application prompts us toward improvements, which are nearly instantly available to customers via beta download.

We know many of our customers by name, adds Knott. And we pride ourselves on a quick and comprehensive response to technical support requests. Creative Systems is recognized by many classification societies, including Det Norske Veritas, Lloyd's Register, and the American Bureau of Shipping.

International Maritime Organization's Oil Outflow Requirements

Increasingly sophisticated international regulations require continual enhancements to GHS. For instance, the new release of GHS, version 11.50, includes the ability to run an analysis for accidental oil outflow performance required by the International Maritime Organization. This regulation will apply to all ships delivered on or after August, 2010. We focus on the tool, not the regulation, explains Bill Plice, president and creator of GHS software. In that way we give the power to the naval architects and engineers to interpret the regulations and design a vessel accordingly.

New Distributor in China

The presence of GHS software globally increases continually and isn't showing signs of tapering off. For instance, we've always had a presence in China, but we have a much stronger presence with the addition of Singtong Marine & Offshore, our newest GHS distributor, says Knott. In its first year as a GHS distributor, Singtong brought GHS to several naval architecture and engineering firms, including a key university. Singtong is the only distributor, outside of Design Systems and Technologies in Europe, with the technical expertise necessary to train customers and well as distribute software.

For more information about GHS software, go to www.ghsport.com or email support@ghsport.com.



August 2008

GHS Programmer's Interface

Creative Systems, Inc., creator of GHS software, has relaunched its longstanding Programming Interface (PI) module at a more affordable price point. This module provides unlimited freedom for advanced users and programmers who want to develop their own custom "plug-in" extensions to GHS which can be activated from run files, wizard dialog boxes, or onboard loading systems at the press of a button or keystroke.

Within the PI environment, programmers have access to the GHS vessel geometry, computational procedures, and screen window via a package of nearly one hundred specialized procedures callable from standard Dynamic Link Libraries. Possible extensions include integrating GHS with custom GUI features, device-specific real-time tank gauging interfaces, or whatever your company requires. Plug-in creations can also be marketed or freely distributed to other GHS users in a secure manner.

The PI module is only one of a spectrum of programming options which GHS offers for the advanced user. While the PI module provides "inside-out" access to GHS internals, the GHS Communications (GHSCOM) module provides "outside-in" ability for other programs (including Excel and Rhino) to run the GHS computation engine "under the hood" using Visual Basic, Java, or other scripting methods. And of course, the standard GHS package comes complete with a wealth of programming features for writing run files, macros, dialog boxes, and wizards at no extra charge.

For more information about GHS PI, GHSCOM, or other GHS features and options, visit GHSport.com or call Julie Knott, Creative Systems' business manager, 360-385-6212. Look for GHS demonstrations at two upcoming USA trade shows: SNAME in Houston, October, 2008; and the International WorkBoat Show, New Orleans, December 2008.

August 2008

New Flexible License Management Tool for GHS Users

Creative Systems, Inc. is offering a licensing alternative called GHS NETplus which allows GHS licenses to float on a network, rather than be tied to a specific machine. Licenses can even roam off the network for a period of independent use. With NETplus, GHS licenses may be checked-out, check-in, and reserved - just like borrowing from a library.

Areas of application for GHS NETplus include salvage and other specialized operations that require remote use of GHS software. Prior to travel, a GHS license may be loaded onto a networked PC, disconnected from the network, and deployed off-site for a determined amount of time. No more dongles or expiring keys to worry about with NETplus - the system automatically returns the checked-out license to the library on the due date so it's available for the next user.

NETplus gives administrators an optimal tool for deployment and management of a company's GHS software inventory. With the ability to track licenses, administrators can now pinpoint active users of GHS. Licenses can be prioritized so that the software can be utilized precisely where and when needed - an essential tool for project managers. Also, NETplus provides certainty to administrators that licenses are used in accordance with the licensing agreement.

NETplus will be available from Creative Systems, Inc. and GHS distributors worldwide beginning in September, 2008.

For more information about GHS NETplus or to find a distributor in your area, contact Julie Knott, Creative System's business manager, at sales@GHSport.com or 360-385-6212 or visit www.GHSport.com.

Learn more about GHS NETplus at two upcoming USA trade shows this fall: 2008 SNAME Maritime Technology Conference & Expo, Houston, Texas; and 2008 International WorkBoat Show, New Orleans, Louisiana.