Maxsurf Modeler Advanced Automation: TransformAdvanced doesn't work

Question

Hi, I'm student and I'm using Maxsurf Modeler Advanced Automation for my thesis. 
 I'm trying to do a TransformAdvanced of my model (using Python) but it doesn't work, and in VBA example or in Manual Modeler Automation there isn't this example function. 
 Now what I write in my code is: 
 msApp.Design.Hydrostatics.InitAdvancedTransform a=bool(msApp.Design.Hydrostatics.SetTargetLWL(4.6)) b=bool(msApp.Design.Hydrostatics.SetTargetBeam(1.1)) c=bool(msApp.Design.Hydrostatics.SetTargetPrismatic(0.6)) print(a,b,c) msApp.Design.Hydrostatics.AdvancedTransform 
 Then the terminal return a: False, b:False, c:False so the SetTargets don't work. 
 Can you help me to solve this? 
 Thanks, 
 Simone

pat couser · Answer

Hi Simone, 
 Depending on the hullform, there are limits to how far you can modify the hullform using the parametric transformation. Try it in the interactive UI to see if it works there with the model in question. 
 If you are still having difficulties, please submit a service request (see Help menu in MAXSURF applications) 
 cheers, 
 Pat

pat couser · Answer

here is the sequence that is required: 
 Design.Hydrostatics.Calculate <<< calculate the hydrostatics for the model Design.Hydrostatics.InitAdvancedTransform <<< initialise the transform Design.Hydrostatics.SetTargetPrismatic(0.65) <<< set the target value; this must be achievable for the specific model Design.Hydrostatics.AdvancedTransform <<< perform the transform Design.Hydrostatics.Calculate <<< recalculate the hydrostatics for the modified hullform Design.Hydrostatics.Cp <<< check we got the prismatic we were after 
 
 in VBA in Excel, please try something like this ... 
 
 Sub createModel() 
 modelerApp.Design.Surfaces.Add (msSLSimpleYacht) modelerApp.Design.FrameOfReference.Baseline = modelerApp.Design.FrameOfReference.FindBase modelerApp.Design.FrameOfReference.AftPerp = modelerApp.Design.FrameOfReference.FindAftDWL modelerApp.Design.FrameOfReference.FwdPerp = modelerApp.Design.FrameOfReference.FindFwdDWL modelerApp.Design.FrameOfReference.VertDatum = msVDTBaseline modelerApp.Design.FrameOfReference.LongDatum = msLDTMidships 
 End Sub

Sub MakeTransform() 
 Dim val As Double 
 modelerApp.Design.Hydrostatics.Calculate val = modelerApp.Design.Hydrostatics.Displacement Range("A1").Value = "Hydrostatics.Displacement" Range("B1").Value = val 
 val = modelerApp.Design.Hydrostatics.Cp Range("A7").Value = "Hydrostatics.Cp" Range("B7").Value = val 
 modelerApp.Design.Hydrostatics.InitAdvancedTransform Range("A8").Value = "Hydrostatics.InitAdvancedTransform, SetTargetPrismatic" Range("B8").Value = 0.65 Call modelerApp.Design.Hydrostatics.SetTargetPrismatic(0.65) modelerApp.Design.Hydrostatics.AdvancedTransform 
 modelerApp.Design.Hydrostatics.Calculate val = modelerApp.Design.Hydrostatics.Cp Range("A9").Value = "Hydrostatics.Cp" Range("B9").Value = val 
 End Sub 
 
 note that the COM interface can be sensitive to timings, you may need to pause while licensing initializes, for the application to start and also allow time for model to load etc.