Chapter 155: Return to the Second Institute

When told that this computer would not be obsolete for a decade, Yang Hui was noncommittal. If he were to be honest, he could say without hesitation that this machine was already behind the international mainstream.

However, considering the needs of the base, it could indeed remain relevant for ten years. Before the advent of revolutionary graphical user interfaces, an old-fashioned computer running an antiquated DOS operating system could satisfy the base's requirements with almost no need for updates.

It is not that a computer becomes unusable just because its performance lags behind the cutting edge; meeting one's needs is what matters most. Sometimes, the most advanced technology is not as practical as reliable, older hardware. When purchasing equipment, one must consider not only performance but also cost-effectiveness and personal requirements.

Since this batch of computer-aided design systems could meet their needs, Yang Hui couldn't be bothered to waste his breath exposing IBM's exaggerations; he let them continue to brag.

As the impressive IBM continued its boasting, Yang Hui went to the side to observe the CATIA installation. The progress bar updated continuously, and upon the completion prompt, the Dassault staff proceeded to the next stage: debugging.

Once the debugging was finished, the Dassault representative stood up. "Okay, Miss Yang, you may now attempt to operate it. You have been specially trained, and I believe you will have no trouble."

Although the model of this computer at the base differed from the one Yang Yue used during her training at Dassault, the general layout remained unchanged. She sat down and placed her hands on the keyboard, typing away at the letter keys.

In 1983, keyboard layouts were not as ergonomic as they would become in later decades, yet Yang Yue skillfully entered various commands.

With her fingers dancing nimbly, a series of commands were input and confirmed. A normal line appeared on the monitor in response.

As she continued to enter commands, the outline was traced line by line. She then applied constraints to the outline until the sketch editing was complete. Entering the 3D workbench, she input a simple extrusion command, and a standard geometric part was finished.

Standard geometric parts could not demonstrate the true power of CATIA. Chief Designer Yu, having realized this, requested that she construct a model with complex surfaces.

Following the data provided in the documents, she continued the modeling process. Surface design was quite troublesome, especially under the DOS system.

It took nearly a quarter of an hour to create a simple surface, but this was where CATIA’s power became evident. Complex surface design had always been a major hurdle for manual drafting; for expressing surface effects, 3D computer modeling was the most suitable tool.

Moving into the part design environment, she further refined the surface styling. Finally, the component's appearance became intuitive. At a glance, Yang Hui recognized it as the skin geometry for the junction of the double-delta wings on the new Jianjiao-7.

The onlookers stared at the continuously refreshing screen in disbelief. They were all thinking the same thing: they absolutely had to master this powerful skill. Once learned, designing a new aircraft would be simple, fast, and easy.

With this demonstration, they had gained an intuitive understanding of computer-aided design, which would be a great help for future promotion. At the very least, people were already whispering and asking when the base’s training sessions would begin.

Chief Designer Yu finally started to take this computer-aided design software seriously. Although the older generation’s thinking might not keep up with the youth, seeing the tangible results was a different story.

"Old Bai, you’ve imported something truly excellent. I didn't believe it when I heard 0132 bragging about how powerful this CAD software was, but now I’ve seen it for myself. It really is quite remarkable. This money was well spent. If I weren't so old, I would want to learn it myself."

Being over fifty, Chief Designer Yu sighed, but said no more. With a mix of melancholy and excitement, he headed toward the other offices. He needed to notify the staff to clear out sensitive materials so that the Dassault team could install the system elsewhere.

With one system installed and the crowd having seen enough, everyone returned to their duties. However, the fifteen graduate students Yang Hui brought from the capital looked eager to try it for themselves.

This computer-aided design was incredibly useful, especially for researchers working on aerodynamic shapes. It was a formidable tool; in exterior design, surface modeling was almost constant—it was like a cheat code.

Some were even imagining whether there would eventually be simulation software for wind tunnel testing, which would save so much trouble.

Humanity’s greatest pride is the ability to think. Now that they could conceive of computer-simulated wind tunnels, would realizing it be difficult in the future?

The auxiliary design systems were installed across the First Institute, with nearly a dozen computers distributed among the offices—a truly pleasing sight. Meanwhile, the training classes were in full swing.

It is worth mentioning that the technology spy from Dassault Aviation ultimately failed to obtain the materials he wanted. The First Institute’s security was very tight, at least sufficient to guard against the "little schemes" of their international friends.

Yang Hui and Director Bai prepared to return to the Second Institute. No matter how much the First Institute needed Yang Hui, he belonged to the Second. It was necessary to go back and check on things; Yang Hui still felt it was a tall order to produce a qualified engine within two years, and he preferred to oversee the progress himself.

Leaving the desolate First Institute, Yang Hui, Director Bai, and Zhong Jianshe, who had also attended the training, headed back. When they arrived, there was only Chief Designer Yu, but now the small jeep felt quite crowded.

To properly host the Dassault staff—for the sake of the friendship between the Republic and France—a long-haul cargo truck was prepared. Under the surprised gazes of the foreign guests, Yang Hui climbed into the back of the truck first.

In this day and age, a truck was still a vehicle, and at least Yang Hui felt it was more comfortable than riding in a sidecar.

Looking left and right and seeing no other transportation, the foreign guests seemed to understand. They would have to break traffic rules and ride in a cargo bed. This would be absolutely forbidden in developed France, but here...

Seeing the foreigners still hesitating, Yang Hui could only explain helplessly, "Gentlemen, we do not have passenger buses here. To travel the dozens of kilometers to our next destination, we have no choice but to take this rather decent truck."

The law-abiding Frenchmen had no choice but to swallow their pride.

Looking at the high cargo bed, the tall Westerners were suddenly at a loss as to how to climb in.

Yang Hui was already in the truck. Seeing the tall foreigners struggling, he went over to offer a hand. Unexpectedly, the proud Frenchman refused the help of an Oriental and insisted on climbing up himself.

Thus, a comical scene unfolded: a Frenchman in dress trousers, a shirt with a tie, and polished leather shoes trying to climb into a truck, while a relaxed young Oriental sat inside.

Tenderly taking off his coat and handing it to a colleague—lest it get dirty—he placed his hands on the truck bed and lifted a foot onto the spare tire. The polished leather shoe scraped against the dust-covered rubber, causing the onlookers to wince.

As he lifted his other leg, his entire weight shifted onto the spare tire.

The spare tire was simply suspended by chains; once it bore weight, it began to spin, and that was when the trouble started.

As the tire spun, he lost his footing and balance. With a loud "thud," he fell.

Fortunately, the truck wasn't very high, and the fall only left him looking disheveled. Yang Hui immediately jumped down to check if he was alright.

"I protest! Your reception arrangements are completely inadequate. You must provide me with a different vehicle; I absolutely refuse to ride in such an unsafe machine."

What to do? It seemed certain the Frenchman would not ride in the truck.

Suddenly, Yang Hui remembered the sidecar motorcycles. In the future, they would be synonymous with backwardness in China, but their vintage look was highly favored by Westerners. And as for now...

"Well, perhaps this gentleman would like to switch to a motorcycle? We have some here; they are German military motorcycles from World War II. Their quality is quite reliable."