Creative Systems, Inc.
Developer of GHS, BHS and GLM software for Naval Architects, Slavage Engineers and Ship Operators.
Press Releases
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 as well as distribute software.
For more information or GHS software, visit 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 www.ghsport.com or email 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, visit www.ghsport.com or email support@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.
December 2007
GHS Version 11.00 Released
The annual update of GHS (General HydroStatics) ship stability software and its
derivative, BHS, was released at the end of December with shipments to all users with current
maintenance subscriptions to be completed early in January.
The 11.00 release represents a large number of improvements over the previous release (10.50).
Included are over 130 performance enhancements and bug fixes, and 35 new additions. Most
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,
- Floodable lengths calculations, reports and plots are now an integral part of
the GHS main program and offer plots for the first time.
- New Weight Category support allows weight items to be more easily organized.
- Longitudinal Strength indicators in Load Editor, avoid the need to check LS separately.
- Two extensions within LIMIT commands provide more capability for addressing certain
stability criteria.
- More convenient reporting of light ship, deadweight and critical points.
- Righting-arm plots now include an indication of the angle of deck immersion.
- A powerful capability within GHS allows users to customize and extend the user interface
by means of templates. Several new template features are available in version 11.
- New System Variables allow users to access more information from the GHS calculating
engine for use in custom reports.
View the complete list of new features.
December 2007
New Wizard for Probabilistic Damage
For evaluating ship stability in damaged conditions, international regulations are focusing on the
method adopted in 2005 by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), known
as Resolution MSC.194(80).
The passenger-ship version escalates the complexity of the required calculations to a new level
since it adds a requirement to evaluate stability with heeling moments due to wind, passenger
crowding and lifeboat deployment and, in addition, requires checking intermediate flooding to
determine whether lesser stability might be encountered as flooding progresses.
A new software application which runs within GHS automates almost all aspects of the task, so that
setting up a run using the MSC.194(80) method can be done is just a few minutes.
Yet it provides the naval architect with means of refining the procedure to take advantage of
special features of the ship design. In keeping with this philosophy, it automatically produces
a compact report presenting all of the essential information on which the computations are
based; yet it provides options for producing detailed notes describing every step of the process.
Known simply as DAMSTAB2, it is written entirely in GHS command language.
Its job is to automatically prepare the input files for performing damage stability
calculations and then to run the calculations. It accomplishes this by launching a
separate session of GHS which runs off the inputs it has prepared. It can launch and
keep track of more than one session at a time -- one performing the calculations for
starboard-side damage and the other for port-side damage, for example.
More information.
Current GHS users can download DAMSTAB2 from Creative Systems, Inc. free of charge at
www.ghsport.com/support/DAMSTAB2.ZIP
Copyright (C) 2007
Creative Systems, Inc.
Phone: 360 385-6212 | Fax: 360 385-6213 | E-MAIL: sales@ghsport.com
GHS, BHS, General HydroStatics, Basic HydroStatics, GLM, GHS Load Monitor are trademarks of
Creative Systems, Inc.