Orca3D: RhinoMarine Transition

As of September 1st, 2009, Alion Science and Technology has suspended sales, maintenance, and support for RhinoMarine. As a courtesy to RhinoMarine users, DRS Defense Solutions Advanced Technology Center (ATC) is available to provide limited technical support for RhinoMarine through the end of 2010, as well as replacement Site Keys. Because we won't have access to the RhinoMarine source code, we will not be able to make changes or fixes to the program, and there will surely be some questions that we won't be able to answer. But with our experience in naval architecture and with this type of Rhino plug-in software, we hope to be able to answer most questions. Alion has authorized us to provide replacement Site Keys for existing RhinoMarine users, so if you lose your license due to a hard disk crash, a new computer, etc. we can generate a new Site Key for you. With these resources, you should be able to confidently continue the use of your copy of RhinoMarine. Click here for information on technical support.

Of course we feel that our Orca3D plug-in for Rhino is an excellent option for RhinoMarine users who are looking for marine design functionality, coupled with technical support and on-going improvements and updates to the software, and we are offering a 50% transition discount to RhinoMarine users who would like to purchase Orca3D. (Click here to learn more about the differences between RhinoMarine and Orca3D.) Alion has provided us with the information that we need to create a translator so that Orca3D will be able to read your RhinoMarine-specific data, such as section locations and weight/cost information. Of course your model consists mostly of Rhino data (surfaces, curves, points, etc.), and Orca3D is compatible with all of this data. We expect to complete and release this standalone translator shortly.

Orca3D is available in two configurations, and each configuration is available as a Commercial or Educational license. Level 1 includes Hull Design & Fairing, Hydrostatics/Intact Stability, and Level 2 includes Hull Design & Fairing, Hydrostatics/Intact Stability, Speed/Power Prediction, and Weight & Cost Tracking. There is no need to uninstall RhinoMarine before installing Orca3D; they can coexist as plug-ins to your copy of Rhino. No matter which module(s) of RhinoMarine you have, you may transition to either Level 1 or Level 2 of Orca3D.

Begin by downloading and evaluating Orca3D. Send a technical support question to support@orca3d.com; view the Help Videos or Webinars; post in the Forum. Once you're satisfied, follow these steps to purchase Orca3D.

If you haven't done so already, download and install Orca3D. The software will run for 15 days as a fully-functional evaluation. (there is no need to uninstall RhinoMarine)
When you're ready to purchase a license, contact a reseller or DRS with proof of your RhinoMarine license (and educational status, if appropriate; see below for further information). If you contact DRS directly, we will provide you with a coupon code that you can use to receive your discount when purchasing on-line. If there is a reseller in your area, we prefer that you purchase through them.
You will receive a License Code that you can use to permanently activate your copy of Orca3D. Note that our License Agreement allows you to activate the license on two computers, if you are the primary user of both computers (e.g. desktop/laptop, office/home computers). You will not need to provide us with a Site Code; activation is carried out via the Internet. If you need to move your license in the future, you may simply de-activate it via the Internet, and then activate it on the new computer.

Proof of status will be required to qualify for Educational pricing or the Transition discount (Educational Transitions require both!), as follows:

Educational: Copy of student ID, copy of current course schedule, or letter from a professor on school letterhead. Educational licenses are full working licenses of the software. Future upgrades can be purchased at Educational pricing if you are still a student at the time, or Commercial pricing if you are no longer a student.

Transition: You must provide proof that you qualify for the transition discount. Valid proof may include any one of the following:

Screen capture of your RhinoMarine license dialog. From the RhinoMarine menu, select License. See an example here

Invoice or receipt from your purchase of RhinoMarine

Email from Alion Science and Technology or your RhinoMarine reseller stating that they sold RhinoMarine to you