Displaying a Structure's Shadow in Floor Plan View

The information in this article applies to:

QUESTION

How can I show where the shadows fall in floor plan view?

ANSWER

Sun Angles allow the shadow cast by a building at any time of the year, to be displayed in a floor plan view. A Sun Angle arrow is a marker that displays in a floor plan view and indicates the angle of the sun at a specific time and location on the Earth.

To create a Sun Angle and generate a structure's shadow

1. In plan view, go to Floor 1 or Floor 0. Sun Angles can only be created on these floor levels.
   
   
   
2. Select CAD> Lines> Sun Angle  and click in the drawing area where the Sun Angle arrow should display.
   
   
   
3. In the Sun Angle Specification dialog that displays:
   
   
   
   

   • On the Earth Data panel, specify the Latitude and Longitude, along with the Date and Time of the Sun Angle.
     
     
   • Click the Make Shadow button to generate the shadow with the dialog still active or the Delete Shadow button to delete it.
     
     Alternatively, a structure's shadow can be generated or deleted in a floor plan by selecting the Sun Angle line when this dialog is closed, and clicking the Make Shadow or Delete Shadow  edit tools.
     
     
     Note: If no Terrain Perimeter has been created, shadows fall on an imaginary plane at height zero, the default height for the first floor.
     
     If a Terrain Perimeter exists, shadows are modified to indicate where the real shadow would fall on the actual terrain.
     
     
   • On the Lighting Data panel, ensure that Casts Shadows is checked and that the Intensity and Color are set to the desired selections.
     
     
   • If you would like to learn more about the various options in this dialog, click the Help button at the bottom.
     
     
   • Click OK to confirm the changes and close the dialog.
     

   
   
   
4. After creating a Sun Angle, it can be moved to a different location in the floor plan without it affecting the generation of shadows.