Sunscape™ Extension for Sketchup User Guide — MacOS

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. Select model surface(s) for inclusion in the mapping area

    • Use traditional sketchup functionality, select + SHIFT to append surfaces.

  2. Right click on one of the selected surfaces to choose Sunscape analysis or glass material.

    • Selected surfaces display Sunscape icon material.

  3. Click outside the area to confirm selection.  Mapping area surfaces now display grey or blue (glass) Sunscape material.

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

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

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

Open the Sunscape Menu by selecting SUNSCAPE from the SketchUP Extension menu.

Step 2. Choose Time Span and Date Range Parameters

Sunscape creates sun exposure maps calculated based on cumulative average sunlight received at each 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:

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

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

    • Use the slider to view the Menu Queue.

  3. 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 set line.

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

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

Step 3. Choose Precision

Sunscape mapping precision can be adjusted to any distance from .3 feet (4 inches) to 33 feet (.1 to10 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 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. Click the Sunscape waterdrop icon on the lower toolbar.

  2. The Sunscape Viewer appears on screen.  When mapping is complete the mapped model and Viewer Toolbar will appear.

  3. 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.

    • Select an area for mapping before executing the Menu.

  2. Close the Viewer/Toolbar set to re-execute the Menu.

    • Save images of wanted maps before closing the Viewer/Toolbar set.

  3. The Menu retains the parameter queue sets in the Menu Queue.

    • You can delete and/or add parameter sets and re-execute the Menu.

  4. Closing the Menu clears the Menu Queue

    • Choose Sunscape Extension to get a new Menu.

View the Maps

The Menu queued parameters sets are listed in the Toolbar Sunscape Queue dropdown menu.

Process:

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


About Sunscape Viewer and Sunscape Toolbar functionality

Sunscape™ 3D Viewer

  1. The Viewer incorporates 3-button mouse 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 for zoom and rotate. This will stabilize mouse functioning and ensure smoother operation.

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

Sunscape™ Viewer Toolbar

  1. Camera, to save Sunscape viewer images to file.

  2. Hand, globe, +, provides Move, Orbit, or Zoom with left mouse button (helpful to add move).

  3. Arrow restores original mouse functionality.

  4. Curved arrows, Restore original camera view.

  5. Blank button – for future function development.

  6. Click to Top and Cardinal direction views.

  7. Sunscape queue, lists the Menu queued parameter set maps for viewing selection with the right positioned down arrow.

    • 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. The Viewer and Toolbar created at Menu execution are an interactive set.

    • Closing either the Viewer or the Toolbar will close both.

  2. Closed Viewers and Toolbars are deleted from memory.

    • Use the Toolbar Camera icon to save Viewer images to file.

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

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

    • Use the Toolbar Camera icon to save Viewer images to file.

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