How to Resolve SOLIDWORK Flow Simulation Not Importing Custom Materials

When using the import materials from the model in SOLIDWORKS 2023 or newer, SOLIDWORKS will not detect and import custom material unless they were derived from a SOLIDWORKS material. This is because the custom material is missing a material ID property and is documented in the SOLIDWORKS knowledge base in bug report BR10000375675. This article describes how to reproduce this behavior and modify your materials to resolve this behavior. 

To Reproduce This Issue

1. Create a custom material and apply it to one of your bodies. 
2. Create a flow study with conduction enabled
3. Right-click the solid materials folder and click "Import Data From Model"
4. The scan for materials will not include any custom materials. The expected result is to see these materials and import them into the study and the Engineering Database. 

Solution One: Create Material Using SOLIDWORKS Material

Materials created by copying a SOLIDWORKS material will have a material ID applied by default. To create a material, follow the steps in How do I Add New Materials to the SOLIDWORKS’ Database? Once the material is created and applied in your model, it will be detected by the import data from model feature.

Solution Two: Edit Material Database in Notepad

1. Locate custom material using Windows File Explorer. Typically the custom materials library is stored in the location found in System Options>File Locations>Material Databases. In most cases, the path should resemble "C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 2024\Custom Materials\Custom Materials.sldmat"
   

   

2. Right-click the file, select "Open With...', and open the file with a text editor such as Notepad
3. Search for the custom material
4. The first line of the material will appear as:
   <material name="NewTest" description="-" propertysource="" appdata="">
   

   

   Add "matid" to this line. The number assigned is arbitrary. 
   <material name="NewTest" matid="85" description="-" propertysource="" appdata="">
   

   

5. Save and close the file
6. In SOLIDWORKS, reapply the material to the part/body.
7. The import custom material feature will now detect the custom material

For further technical support, please contact Hawk Ridge Systems at 877.266.4469 for the U.S. or 866.587.6803 for Canada and support@hawkridgesys.com.