Training

SMAR Azure offers training courses at its head quarter in Edinburgh or at the customers' premises. Training sessions will be run by SMAR Azure engineers and they will be focused on various aspects of the specific software application you have acquired.

Each course is tailored on the customer specific requirements and it will concentrate on how our software can be best used to satisfy your specific requirements.

AzureProject-training course

Which training courses are available?

• Introductory
• Advanced course

What is an Introductory Course?

• The introductory course lasts for one (1) day.
• It will cover the main features of the acquired products.
• During the day, the trainee will be able to learn how to use the sail design tools.

What is an Advanced Course?

• The Advanced Course lasts for two (2) days.
• By the end of day 1, the trainee will be able to learn how to use the sail design tools.
• In day 2, the course will cover technical aspects concerning the software modules, such as using analysis results for optimisation purposes.
• By the end of day 2, the trainee will have developed a number of core sail designs that will constitute the first step towards building his/her entire sail design library in AzureProject.
• It is strongly recommended to those who purchase the analysis modules.

Who is the Course Trainer?

A technical engineer from SMAR Azure.

Courses are currently available in English, Italian, Danish and Spanish. It is envisaged that they will soon be provided in French and German.

SA Evolution -Training Course, How is it organised?

A member of the SMAR-Azure technical team will travel to the client’s premises. Clients are required to have a PC/Laptop running Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7 and a number of sails design and rig data to be used during exercises.

It is suggested that the training course will be attended by the sail-designers (up to 3) and will last for 3 days.

What You Will Learn

The SA-Evolution training course is designed to help users to design fibre layout, prepare the sails for the optimization analysis, set the analysis inputs and understand the meaning of the analyses results and how to use them. For new customers, there will be a 1-day section during which the trainee will learn how to use the sail design tools and the fiber layout tools. As the course is developed to meet the requirements of a specific group of users, a complete agenda will be provided a week prior to the course starting date.

Interactive Courses

Trainees learn by doing, not by just hearing the explanation. Each key concept will be described in simple and layman terminology and with examples. Each explanation session will terminate showing simulations and with and question/answers session about key concepts from trainees.

You will learn by doing

Our courses are loaded with exercises, so clients can learn by direct apprentice and contribute to shape the training and learning process using their expertise and skills in sail design.

Courses are available in English, Italian, Danish and Spanish. It is envisaged that they will soon be available in French and German.

RigEdge -Training Course

How is it organised?

•  A member of the SMAR-Azure technical team will travel to the client’s premises. Clients are required to have a PC/Laptop running Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7 and a number of sails design and rig data to be used during exercises.
• It is suggested that the training course will be attended by the rig-designers (up to 3) and will last for 1 day.
• In case RigEdge is delivered with specific custom features, it is recommended a 2-days training course.

What You Will Learn

The RigEdge training course is designed to help users to prepare the sail design for calculating the sail loads on the rig, set the analysis inputs, run the rig structural analysis under tuning and sail loads.

As the course is developed to meet the requirements of a specific group of users, a complete agenda will be provided a week prior to the course starting date.

Interactive Courses

Trainees learn by doing, not by just hearing the explanation. Each key concept will be described in simple and layman terminology and with examples. Each explanation session will terminate showing simulations and with and question/answers session about key concepts from trainees.

You will learn by doing

Our courses are loaded with exercises, so clients can learn by direct apprentice and contribute to shape the training and learning process using their expertise and skills in preliminary rig design.

Courses are available in English, Italian, Danish and Spanish. It is envisaged that they will soon be available in French and German.

BRIO – Training course

How is it organised?

• A member of the SMAR-Azure technical team will travel to the client’s premises. Clients are required to have a PC/Laptop running Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7 and a number of sails design and rig data to be used during exercises.
• It is suggested that the training course will be attended by the team members that will actively work with BRIO and the analysis features.
• The minimum duration of the training course is 2 days.
• In case BRIO is delivered with specific custom features and additional software applications from SMAR-Azure, it is recommended a minimum of 4-days training course.

What You Will Learn

The BRIO training course is designed to help users to use all functionalities of BRIO, specifically how to import/export files, manage project and files.

As the course is developed to meet the requirements of a specific group of users, a complete agenda will be provided a week prior to the course starting date.

Interactive Courses

Trainees learn by doing, not by just hearing the explanation. Each key concept will be described in simple and layman terminology and with examples. Each explanation session will terminate showing simulations and with and question/answers session about key concepts from trainees.

You will learn by doing

Our courses are loaded with exercises, so clients can learn by direct apprentice and contribute to shape the training and learning process using their expertise and skills in preliminary rig design.

Courses are available in English, Italian, Danish and Spanish. It is envisaged that they will soon be available in French and German

Maintenance and Support

What does the Maintenance and Support service include?

SMAR Azure clients are given a private username and password to access their private download area on www.smar-azure.com.

In this way, our customers will be able to operate with the latest updated version of all our products (Azure Project, SA Evolution/ Rig Edge/ Brio) and access personalised messages, instructions, support and maintenance.

Maintenance and Support includes:

• Free updates, manuals and technical dispenses, bug fixing
• Personal and dedicated 24h/days e-mail support via the private area
• Discuss and access to pre-release and beta versions of new products and upgrades

How can I get in touch with SMAR Azure with any queries?

SMAR Azure clients have a username and password to gain access to their private area, and it is here where you can get in touch with the team using our ticketing system. Click on the ticketing link and you will be able to open a new 'ticket'. Here you will input a few details and your query. Once you have sent the query you will be e-mailed a ticket number.

A member of the SMAR Azure team will respond and when you log back in to your private area, you will be able to track the progress of your query using your unique ticket number.

Alternatively, you can get in touch using the details on the contact page.

How much is the Maintenance and Support service?

Maintenance is included in the initial purchase price, for the first 12-months (unless otherwise stated in the contractual agreement).

After 12 months you can decide to renew the Maintenance and Support Service, by paying a small renewal fee (depending on the product you have purchased). If you prefer not to renew it, the product will be yours and it will work forever.

For the period of 24 months after the expiry of your license, you retain the right to re-acquire your license subject to payment of all Renewal and Support Fees that would otherwise have been payable had the license remained in force during the period it lapsed. After such 24 month period, a new license will need to be acquired and paid for separately.

FAQs

Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions which you may find help you with your query. If not please contact us by using the enquiry form on the contact page.

1. How can I request an AzureProject demo version?

Click the ‘DOWNLOAD AzureProject demo’ button at the top of each page of the SMAR Azure web-site. You will be required to input your name and contact details. Once you have completed and sent the request form, you will receive an email with the link to the demo download area and instructions.

2. What computer requirements do I need?

Any current and recent PC will run AzureProject. The faster the processor the better, anything over 512Mb of memory is fine.  For graphics cards we would recommend ATI and NVidia cards -there can be some issues with some of the Intel integrated graphics chip sets so we would advise to avoid these if possible.

3. How do I know if a new version of AzureProject is available?

You will be informed via email from the support team each time that there will be a new version of AzureProject available for downloading. If you run AzureProject on a computer connected to internet, a dialogue box will appear with the following message:
 “A New Version of AzureProject is Available:
You are using version: …
And the latest version is: ..” 
We strongly advise you to download and install it as soon as you get the email or message.

4. How can I download a new version of AzureProject?

There are two ways.

One way is to open your client private area on www.smar-azure.com by inserting your username and password SMAR Azure website in the access client area box on the top right of the SMAR-Azure web-site. Here, you will find the new Installer Package. Double click on the installer Package and follow the instructions.
In this area, you will also find all information about the novel features added and changes included.

Otherwise, you can start AzureProject and when the dialogue box with the message ‘’ A New Version of AZURE Project is Available’’, click DOWNLOAD NOW and follow the instructions.

5. What is the CLIENT PRIVATE AREA?

The private area is created by SMAR Azure support team for each client.
To enter in the private are, you need to input the username and password in the ‘Access Client Area in the blue box that you find on the right of the SMAR Azure web-site.

In your private area, you will be able to: 

a) Download an updated version of your software product,

b) Have access to manuals and technical dispenses related to each update version of AzureProject, and

c) Communicate directly with the SMAR Azure support team with the e-ticket system. You will be able to send us emails and files, and read the answer to your questions. You will also be able to view all emails exchanged with the support team.

6. Can my Plotter/Cutter machine plot and cut panels and patches developed with AzureProject?

AzureProject saves panel and patches in as: *.ntv and a variety of *. dxf options, making it compatible with all nesting software and plotters that read *.ntv and dxf file types.

7. Can I design GAFF SAILS with AzureProject?

YES you can with the dedicated module GAFFSails. For more information, please look in Sail-Designer Product>add-ons on this web-site.

8. Can I design my own fiber layout?

Yes you can with the dedicated fiber layout tool. You will be able to design fiber paths in groups directly on 3D sail surfaces and will be free to export to any lamination system. For more information, please look in Sail-Designer Product->Fiber-> AzureFiber or AzureProject.

9. Does AzureProject include nesting functions?

No, AzureProject has no nesting functions. Panels, patches and uv-covers are saved in *.ntv and *.dxf files, which can be imported in any nesting software. Each plotter/cutter machine is offered with driving software with nesting features. We aim to ensure that *.ntv files are compatible with all nesting software available on the market.

10. Setup - What are the computer requirements needed to run AzureProject?

At least one free/designated USB port for the USB-dongle.

11. Can I use AzureProject on an Apple computer?

Yes you can. It is enough to have a windows emulator (Paralles) and a windows license installed on your apple machine.

12. How much does AzureProject cost?

SMAR Azure offers a suite of software programs that match the requirements of any type of user. The wide range of programs available guarantees that each user can select and buy exactly the product that is required. Please contact us for information about the price of the product that you are interested in.

Consultation

SMAR Azure uses in-house AzureProject and SA Evolution to offer

1.Sail Design:

sail mold design
creation of sail-mold library
2.Optimization of sail-shape
3.Design and Optimization of fiber layout for fiber-membrane sails

Design and Optimization approach

Typically, the SMAR-Azure Design and Optimization approach consists of the following phases:
1.DISCUSSION and DEFINITION of clients project requirements.
2.According to the client's need, the SMAR Azure technical team develops the initial sail design and fiber layout. Design Files are sent to the customer for approval.
3.In case the project requires the development of high performance sail-plan, the technical team at SMAR-Azure will start running aerodynamic, structural and aero-elastic analyses of the sails In the specific sailing conditions defined by the client
4.In case the project requires the design and optimization of fiber layout, the team at SMAR-Azure will run the structural and aero-elastic analysis of the string sails. Specifically, the team will evaluate the performance of the sail built using various fiber types and alternative layouts.
5.SMAR-Azure technical team will send reports of the results and findings for final review and discussion.
Project Roles and Responsibilities
The client provides project oversight and guidance and reviews/approve results.
One of the SMAR-Azure technical team will be the Project Manager. Therefore he/she manages the project in accordance to the plan and agreed budget.
For more information, please contact us.

Working with Sail-designers

Developing a high performance sail involves a variety of activities. Drawing and developing an initial sail-shape prototype, manufacturing, testing on a boat, and modifying and re-testing until the sail performs as desired.

The use of computer simulation significantly improves this sail-design loop, as it provides sail designers with the unique ability to review the performance of designed sails prior to manufacturing.

AzureProject allows sail designers to move effortlessly among the various phases of rig modeling, 3D sail design, fiber layout, and aerodynamic, structural and aeroelastic analysis.

SA-Evolution is a scientific approach to fiber layout, relying on robust aeroelastic analysis to achieve maximum results from fiber layout sails.

By virtually simulating the aero-elastic behaviour of sails in up-wind sailing conditions, comparing alternative fibers and layouts, and analyzing the resulting sail shapes, the optimal fiber layout distribution can be achieved.

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Consultation

Consultation

Fiber layout design and optimization

Custom made fiber membrane sails ever more popular:  they can be light and fast and easier to maneuver.
Developing an optimal fiber layout design means that the sail ought to be light, flexible, durable, and capable to keep its shape under any condition.

SA-Evolution is a unique aniintegrated design and analysis method to predict forces and stresses on the flying sail shape of custom fibre membrane sails. The SMAR-Azure teams can be your partner in developing high performing fibre-membrane sails with SA-Evolution

Design and Optimization approach

Typically, the SMAR-Azure Design and Optimization approach consists of the following phases:
1.DISCUSSION and DEFINITION of clients project requirements.
2.According to the client's need, the SMAR Azure technical team develops the initial sail design and fiber layout. Design Files are sent to the customer for approval.
3.In case the project requires the development of high performance sail-plan, the technical team at SMAR-Azure will start running aerodynamic, structural and aero-elastic analyses of the sails In the specific sailing conditions defined by the client
4.Once the fast sail shape Is finalized, design and optimization the team at SMAR-Azure will run the structural and aero-elastic analysis of the string sails. Specifically, the team will evaluate the performance of the sail built using various fiber types and alternative layouts. (direction and intensity)
5.SMAR-Azure technical team will send reports of the results and findings for final review and discussion.

Project Roles and Responsibilities

The client provides project oversight and guidance and reviews/approve results.
One of the SMAR-Azure technical team will be the Project Manager. Therefore he/she manages the project in accordance to the plan and agreed budget.
For more information, please contact us.

Sail Design

SMAR Azure can work with you in your design.
 
After having discussed with the client about his/her sail-design requirements, SMAR-Azure acquires from the client:
Number and type of sails to be developed
Accurate measurements for each single sail and of the rig and boat
Desired panel and patch layouts (if any)
Any information that can help the development of the sail, such as target sailing conditions, type of rig, preferred sail cloth and so on.

Then, SMAR-Azure technical team starts developing the 3-dimensional sail shapes by using AZUREProject. With AzureProject, it is possible to design the sail shape with high accuracy, as it allows working on the horizontal sections and vertical lines and defining roach, battens, luff and leech shape and manufacturing details.
Most importantly, with the advanced 3-Dimensional vision of the sail, it is possible to check if the sail fits perfectly on the rig.
SMAR-Azure provides the complete design file.

To find our more email info@smar-azure.com

Rig and Yacht Designers

Working with Yacht Designers

Developing a performing sailing vessel design involves the design of sails, mast and rig and the hull. Usually each design contributor uses his/her own preferred software packages and develops the specific yacht element, without considering the mutual influence of rig, sails and yacht on the overall performance of the sailing vessel.

Added to this the range of technologies available to yacht, mast, and sail designers has increased significantly in the last decade. The computational simulation methods are becoming well established and reliable.

Since its incipit, SMAR Azure has focused the development of technologies that will allow yacht and rig designers to co-operate with sail designers and vice-versa.

RigEdge (connect to RigEdge page) is the unique and innovative software enabling rig and yacht designers to rapidly define the rig dimensions. The robust analysis tools quickly evaluate the sail loads on the rig and calculate the rig deformation and relative loads.

BRIO(connect to BRIO page) is the collaborative project management software for yacht, rig and sail design that connects sail, yacht and rig designers easily with powerful analysis, design and performance tools.

Working with Sail-designers

Developing a high performance sail involves a variety of activities. Drawing and developing an initial sail-shape prototype, manufacturing, testing on a boat, and modifying and re-testing until the sail performs as desired.

The use of computer simulation significantly improves this sail-design loop, as it provides sail designers with the unique ability to review the performance of designed sails prior to manufacturing. 

AzureProject allows sail designers to move effortlessly among the various phases of rig modeling, 3D sail design, fiber layout, and aerodynamic, structural and aeroelastic analysis. 

SA-Evolution is a scientific approach to fiber layout, relying on robust aeroelastic analysis to achieve maximum results from fiber layout sails.
By virtually simulating the aero-elastic behaviour of sails in up-wind sailing conditions, comparing alternative fibers and layouts, and analyzing the resulting sail shapes, the optimal fiber layout distribution can be achieved.