Solutions to common issues

Error “FLOATSOFT failed to perform a required operation with this hull model”

The cause for this error is an imperfect Operations3 API call implementation by SOLIDWORKS that FLOATSOFT uses to cut the model hull at the waterline. This operation sometimes fails at a very specific hull orientation and immersion. If this occurs repeatedly, try to reduce the complexity of the model (roll back the Feature Tree to skip the features that are irrelevant to the hull hydrostatics), or try a slightly different Displacement or Draft value. Sometimes deleting the .mem file in the Memory folder for your model will cause the FLOATSOFT to take a different approach to solving your calculation, and skip the problematic immersion.

Error “Unable to connect to SOLIDWORKS”

Sometimes FLOATSOFT might fail to connect active SOLIDWORKS instance. Fortunately, this is easy to fix:

1. Check if you don’t have multiple instances of SOLIDWORKS running. Open the Task Manager, and search for SOLIDWORKS instances – there should be only one. If unsure, restart your computer, and try again.
2. Check if your anti-virus is not blocking the application. If you’re unsure, add FLOATSOFT to the Exceptions list in your anti-virus settings.

Simulate Natural Buoyancy mode fails to find a solution

Due to the complexity of this mode, sometimes the application may struggle to find the right heel, trim and draft values to locate the Center of Buoyancy above or below Center of Gravity. This usually happens with extreme CoG locations or extremely unusual and unpredictable hull shapes. If that is the case, please try the following suggestions:

1. Try setting the CoG coordinates to a more moderate location (closer to the center of the vessel). If a solution is found, set the CoG to the actual position you need, and run the simulation again. FLOATSOFT features a learning algorithm that performs advanced positioning operations better with time, and setting the CoG in steps before setting it to the final position will help to “train” the algorithm.
2. Try setting the Z value of the CoG coordinates lower. In many cases, we find that users often neglect setting the correct Z value, leaving it higher than actually necessary, which makes the virtual vessel a lot more unstable, and makes it harder for this mode to find a solution.
3. If all else fails, open the memory folder next to the application executable, and delete the [SOLIDWORKS model name].mem file. This will reset the learning algorithm memory, and may help find the solution on the next run.

Heel and trim values are reversed

Make sure that the model is oriented correctly, as described in SOLIDWORKS model requirements. In most cases, this unexpected behavior is due to positioning vessel along the X axis rather than Z, or pointing it in the wrong direction along the correct axis. If your model is too complicated to redefine all planes, sketches and features in SOLIDWORKS, you can use Move/Copy feature to rotate the model as the last feature in the SOLIDWORKS Feature Tree. If that feature gets in the way, you can alternatively use the Insert Into Part on the solid body to create a separate part for use with FLOATSOFT, and orient it as needed.