Sunscape™ Extension for Sketchup User Guide — Windows

The Sunscape™ sun exposure map creation process is driven by the Sunscape™ Menu.

Each execution of the Menu creates sun exposure maps for the onscreen model, displayed in a Sunscape™ Viewer. The Menu contains the parameters used to create maps for model surfaces selected prior to Menu execution, using the precision chosen on the Menu at the time of execution. The executed maps are listed, by parameter set, in the Viewer’s Toolbar.

Maps are selected from the Viewer Toolbar for viewing in the Sunscape Viewer. Images of a Map in the Viewer can be saved. RAM stored Viewer/Toolbar sets can be brought to the screen for coincident viewing. The model with mapping material applied can be saved from the Toolbar.

Installing the Sunscape™ Extension for SketchUp adds Sunscape material option to the “right click on model surface drop-down menu”. Sunscape material can be applied with or without the Sunscape™ Extension Menu open.

  1. Sunscape selection displays three options.

  • Analysis material, to identify surfaces for mapping.

  • Glass material, to identify surfaces for sun transparency; to allow mapping of

    obstructed surfaces, eg: glass balustrade balcony floors.

  • Reset material, to remove Sunscape material from a surface.

The Sunscape™ Map Creation and Viewing Process

Step 1. Choose Mapping Area.

Sunscape™ maps are created for selected model surfaces(s), collectively, the mapping area.

Process:

  1. Right click on a model surface to choose Sunscape analysis or glass material.

    • Selected surfaces display Sunscape icon material.

  2. Click outside the area to confirm selection. Surface now displays grey or blue (glass) Sunscape material.

  3. Continue selecting surfaces for inclusion in the mapping area.

    1. Use conventional Sketchup functionality, select + SHIFT, to select additional surfaces to the mapping area.

    2. Use conventional SketchUp functionality to select surfaces within groups.

  4. With mapping area complete, you are ready for Step 2 – Choose Time Span and Date Range Parameters.

Step 2. Choose Time Span and Date Range Parameters

Sunscape creates sun exposure maps calculated based on cumulative average sunlight received at an analysis point, during the time span and date range selected.

  1. A time span parameter and date range parameter together form a parameter set.

Process:

Choose Sunscape on the extension dropdown menu to open the Sunscape Menu.

  1. In the time span area, use drop-down menus or a preset to select a one-day time span parameter.

  2. Use drop-down menus or a preset to select a date range parameter.

  3. Use the Add to Queue button to add a parameter set to the Menu queue.

  4. When you’re happy with your parameter selections, you’re ready for Step 3. Choose Precision.

About the Menu Queue and Presets:

  1. Any number of parameter sets can be added to the Menu Queue for simultaneous processing. The number of sets in the queue has little to no effect on processing time.

  2. Executing a Menu without a parameter set in the Menu queue will result in one map being created using the parameter set on the Menu at the time of execution.

  3. Parameter sets remain in the Menu Queue until deleted or the Sunscape Menu is closed.

  4. Delete parameter sets from the queue by selecting the trash icon on the parameter line.

  5. When maps are processed, Menu queued parameter sets are listed in the View queue.

  6. See “More About Presets” in the Sunscape Applications User Area for details and use cases.

Step 3. Choose Precision

Sunscape mapping precision can be adjusted to any distance from .3 feet (.1 meters) to 33 feet (10 meters) between analysis points, with precision being increased by decreasing the distance between analysis points.

Process:
Choose a precision for processing the parameter sets in the Menu queue.

  1. Place the precision slider at the preferred distance between analysis points.

    • TIP: Use the preset 3’3” precision to test appropriate precision.

  2. You are ready to execute the Menu, Press Sunscape!

About precision:

  1. Precision affects processing time.

  2. All parameter sets in the Menu queue are mapped using the precision on the Menu at time of Menu execution.

Press Sunscape™!

The Sunscape™! Menu button executes the mapping process for the selected mapping area, using the menu precision, and the parameter sets in the Menu.

  1. The mapping screen displays during processing.

  2. You will receive a message and tone when the mapping process is complete.

  3. A Sunscape Viewer and Toolbar set appears onscreen.

  4. A map associated with the last parameter set in the Menu queue is displayed in the viewer. Time to View the Maps.

About Menu execution:

  1. The Menu will not execute if no model surface has been selected for mapping.

    • Don’t close the Menu, select an area for mapping and re-execute the Menu.

  2. Each Sunscape menu execution creates a Sunscape Viewer and Toolbar set.

  3. You can cancel mapping anytime with the Cancel button.

    • Cancelling Menu execution will not affect the mapping area or clear the Menu Queue.

View the Maps

The Menu queued parameters sets are listed in the Viewer’s Toolbar Sunscape queue dropdown.

  1. Select a parameter set in the Sunscape queue to bring the parameter set map to the Viewer.


About Sunscape™ Viewer and Sunscape™ Toolbar

Sunscape™ 3D Viewer

  1. The Viewer has 3-button mouse with scroll wheel functionality.

    • Click the Move icon on the toolbar to put Move (pan) on the left mouse button.

    • TIP: If rotate and zoom appear unstable with your mouse product, click Top (or

      any view tool) on the Toolbar before beginning to use the three-button mouse, this will stabilize mouse functioning for smoother operation.

  2. The Viewer can be brought to full screen. Viewer edges can be dragged to resize.

Sunscape™ Viewer Toolbar

  1. Save Image, to save Sunscape viewer images to file (for use as model overlays, reference, etc.)

  2. Save Model, provides for saving a copy of the model with Sunscape material applied.

  3. Move, Orbit, and Zoom with left mouse button (for 2 button mouse use) and Restore for mouse functionality.

  4. Reset, camera to the original position.

  5. Full screen, camera view.

  6. Section plane, to set camera height to view mapped surfaces under trees and other top-view obstructions including roof extensions or covered, open sided objects like balconies, terraces, pavilions, and gazebos.

  7. Top and Cardinal Direction snap-to camera views

  8. Sunscape queue lists the Menu queued parameter set maps for viewing selection.

    • There is no Sunscape queue on the Toolbar when the Menu was executed without a parameter set in the queue.

More about the Viewer and Toolbar Set:

  1. A Viewer and Toolbar created at Menu execution are an interactive set.

    • A Viewer’s toolbar will not function with Viewers created by a different Menu execution.

  2. Sunscape Viewers and Toolbars reside in RAM memory.

  3. Bring two or more Viewer/Toolbar sets to the screen for comparative viewing.

    • The Viewers and Toolbars are brought in separately but close together when either the Viewer or Toolbar is clicked to close.

  4. Closed Viewers and Toolbars are deleted from RAM memory.

  5. Viewer/Toobars remain accessible and operational, independent of Sunscape Extension or Sketchup, until closed.

  6. The Interactive 3D Viewer/Toolbar sets cannot be saved.

    • Use Toolbar Save Image function to save images of Viewer maps.

If you have questions or require further assistance, please email us at techsupport@ecoscape.app We’re here to help.