Random crashes while using VMWare

[tampe125]

Hello,

from time to time I'm having some random crashes while using Fusion 360 inside a virtual machine. I'm a Linux user, so my only chance to use Fusion 360 is to spin up a Virtual Machine with Windows 10 and then run Fusion 360.

To be fair, I do understand I'm on an edge case and it's only a nuisance: I usually save quite often and paired with the recovery mode I usually miss only a couple of things.

Anyway, is there any log or extra details I could take a look into to know if I can prevent those crashes? Fusion 360 simply freezes while trying to rendering the bodies, then I have to kill the process.

I think it could be resource related, but do you have any hints for me?

[tampe125]

This is a screenshot of the issue. I was opening a small project, nothing fancy (HDMI adapter case). As you can see everything hangs, with reasonable amounts of free resources.

Those black parts are not redacted by me: this is the rendering performed by Fusion 360

[rishabh.bisht]

Looking at App log files would be a good starting point. Can you share them here please?

[tampe125]

Here you are!

[rishabh.bisht]

Thanks for sharing the logs.

• Whenever Fusion crashes, do you get the Crash error report dialogue? I can check the crash error reports on our end if you could share the email associated with your account.
• Does it crashes mostly in operations related to Graphics? 
• Have you tried switching graphics driver to Direct X 9 (Preferences > General > Graphics Driver)?

[tampe125]

It's not a proper "crash": it simply hangs until I kill it. I'll try to
change the directx and see if that helps

[Anonymous]

I have exactly the same problem like tampe125 using VMWare and Fusion.
I tried to switch DirectX to 9, change numbers of virtual processors, RAM, disk partition.
It hasn't changed anything. Fusion still hang up.

[tampe125]

For the records, I tried to make the same chances as well, but it still
hangs from time to time

[hlopo]

I have exactly the same problem - experiencing it for more than two month. Fusion360 inside vmware crashes every 5-15 minutes. 

I've switched to DirectX 9, but crashes still occurs. 

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

I hope I found solution.
Mayby not ideal but it works. 🙂
In 3 steps:
1. Uncheck option "Accelerate 3D graphics". It's in Virtual Machine Settings , tab Hardware, Device Display. It should be set after Windows shut down.
2. DirectX must be set 9 in Fusion settings. Otherwise screen refresh doesn't work correctly.
3. Additionally I added 256MB vRAM for virtual graphic card.
Just edit .vmx file (in virtual machine folder) and set
svga.vramSize = "268435456"
or more MB (multiply the number of MB by 1048576)

Default VMWare setting is 1/2 RAM for physical graphic card.
My graphic card has only 128MB physical RAM so now I have 368MB.
vRAM changing is described here
https://kb.vmware.com/s/article/1001876

After changes Fusion works fine. Of course graphic is not so smooth like with 3D accelerate but no any crashes. Additionally Fusion informs during launch "The software rendered is being used..."

[tampe125]

Thank you! That solved my issue!

Just a small suggestion: when Fusion will complain about slow performances, it will suggest you to turn off several features. Since I don't work with large assemblies that need fancy rendering, I disabled everything and now it works a little smoother.

[hlopo]

Thanks, this workaround works for me. I've tried editing two models and no crash yet. 

However, the performance is very poor. I'm using Fusion360 to model 3D printed parts. It is usable on small models where I model just a single part to be printed, but when for example I use assembly with Ender3 3D printer model  and design some upgrade to fit it, the FPS is about 1-2, barely usable. 

So I'd be happy to find a way to use 3D acceleration. It worked better about a year ago on the same configuration.

I haven't tried other virtualization tools (like virtualbox), I've read that it should work on wine as well, but with some tweaking of installer and I haven't enough patience to make it run.

[hlopo]

Just update - I've upgraded VMware Workstation to version 15 and problem is solved. Fusion 360 is now working even with GPU acceleration. I've been using it for about 1-2 hours now with no crash.