Automation is a powerful tool that can be used to write anything from a simple macro to a full Windows application. Automation allows Maxsurf to directly communicate data with Word, Excel and AutoCAD to automatically alter a design in Maxsurf, or obtain details of the design in Excel. Some examples of how this technology could be employed are:

·   A macro to manipulate the geometry of a design.

·   Writing a VBA program to export a design to IGES file format

·   Writing a script to find surfaces or markers with particular properties

·   Writing Excel macros to automatically access design data from Maxsurf, such as Hydrostatic Calculations

·   Genetic Algorithms for Ship Design

·   Manipulation of Design Control Points from Microsoft Excel

·   Generating customised reports in Microsoft Word

Each of these examples could be designed as a simple macro or with a sophisticated user interface. Once familiar with VBA, it is an easy task to add dialogs and menus to your automation scripts.