FAQ

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

FLOATSOFT works with any SOLIDWORKS version or package, and it does not require any specific hardware to run. Find out more at System requirements

  • FLOATSOFT can run hydrostatic and hydrodynamic calculations on any single-hull or multi-hull with the following modes:
    • Solve with known draft;
    • Solve with known displacement;
    • Iterate through draft;
    • Iterate through displacement;
    • Iterate through heel;
    • Iterate through trim;
    • Simulate natural buoyancy.
  • You can also run hydrodynamic resistance calculations based on HOLTROP and KAPER algorithms (more coming soon).

Current version supports only SOLIDWORKS from version 2017 and up.

To use a Surface-based SOLIDWORKS model with FLOATSOFT, use the typical SOLIDWORKS functions to convert it to a Solid Body. Here are the instructions on how to do it: Using FLOATSOFT with an Assembly-level model.

There are some simple rules that have to be followed when preparing a model for calculations. You can find them here: SOLIDWORKS model requirements

Yes. Simply change the center of mass in SOLIDWORKS, and in FLOATSOFT main window, in the CoG section, click “Get from model”. This feature works even with a different model than the one you are running calculations on, so you can easily grab the center of mass from a SOLIDWORKS assembly.

In the FLOATSOFT Settings window, enable Lateral Righting Moment or Lateral Righting Arm calculation. In the Main window, switch calculation mode to “Iterate Through Heel”, set the range from 0 to 180 with a desired step size, and click “Run”. Once calculations are done, under the result table, choose the corresponding curve and click “Show Graph”. You can also export these results to a png or csv file to be opened and further processed in Microsoft Excel

While FLOATSOFT doesn’t feature dynamic flooding mechanics, you can create some features in SOLIDWORKS that cut out or hollow parts of your hull model (these cut-outs representing the compartments that are flooded). That way, the volume of the hull will be reduced, and then you can run FLOATSOFT with Simulate Natural Buoyancy mode to see how the reduced buoyancy affects the hydrostatics and stability. This will simulate free-surface effects in the flooded compartments partially (not accounting for trapped air pockets), but if that can be disregarded, you can get some useful static stability data with this method.

In the current FLOATSOFT version the report has to be built manually in text editor software like Word. You can export results from FLOATSOFT to a .csv table and save graphs to png files, or even copy the results directly from the results table.. In future versions a new report tool will be introduced that will let the user to format reports automatically and save them to a Word file.

In the upcoming versions you will be able to use FLOATSOFT in SOLIDWORKS Assembly. At this time, FLOATSOFT only works with single-body Part files. However, you work around this limitation and combine your assembly into single part by using standard SOLIDWORKS features, as shown in this video: Using FLOATSOFT with an Assembly-level model – YouTube

Simply remove empty space from the SOLIDWORKS part using standard features (like Cut Extrude, Cavity, Shell, etc.), and then run calculations as usual. Keep in mind that FLOATSOFT evaluates empty spaces as flooded, regardless of whether they are opened or closed.

FLOATSOFT can be purchased as a Lifetime perpetual license, or an Annual subscription. All licenses are transferable to another computer and includes software updates Read more here.

Yes – you can download a 14 days trial version.

Yes. You can set up a button on your SOLIDWORKS that launches FLOATSOFT. First, run FLOATSOFT from a directory where it’s executable is located, then open the Settings menu, click “Create FLOATSOFT launch macro” and follow the instructions.

Currently, the default units cannot be changed, but this essential feature is in the development for the next version of FLOATSOFT, so you can expect to see it soon.

With each calculation, FLOATSOFT “learns” more about your model and can make more accurate predictions, so if you recalculate your model second or third time, calculation time will decrease. Additionally, you can speed up the calculations by simplifying the SOLIDWORKS model by reducing the number of faces, adjusting the calculation settings, or reducing the number of iterations. Find more here: Performance considerations

You can go to our Knowledge Base for solutions to common issues. If you can’t find a solution there, please feel free to write to our support at support@floatsoft.net

Go to the Knowledge Base. If you cannot find an answer there, you also might check video tutorials on our YouTube channel, or simply contact us by email  at support@floatsoft.net

Yes – we provide student licenses, issued for 1 calendar year. It has full functionality and updates and new versions during the license period. If you are interested, please fill out the Educational license form.

Go to Knowledge Base. If you can’t find and answer there, you also might check video tutorials on our YouTube channel or simply contact us by email at support@floatsoft.net