QUESTION:

I have created a funny shaped shade above a window and want to display the different levels (colours) of insolation falling on that shade, so that I could change the shape depending on how much or how little solar gain is falling onto it. I know this is possible in ECOTECT as I have seen Andrew demo it a few times, but I can't remember what he did... How do you do it ?

ANSWER:

To generate the info you want, you first need to set up an Analysis Grid at the height you want above the window.

The quickest way to do this is create a BIG shading device above the window - give yourself plenty of room. Then select the newly created shade and go to the Analysis Grid panel and then click the Fit to Selected Objects button. Select the Form Fit in Current Axis making sure the axis is set to XY and the Offset value is 0.

The analysis grid will then appear over your shade (which can actually be of any shape/angle). Next step is either to delete the shade or move it onto an OFF zone (you don’t want it blocking sunlight from hitting the analysis grid you just generated).

Now you need to select your window, then go to Calculate » Shading and Shadows » Project Selected Objects » Shading Potential to run the calculation.