Ecotect - Creating a zone using interactive measurements

2. Starting at 0, 0, 0 with the point marked with an X in the above diagram, try creating the first zone with the dimensions shown above.

- Using the Create Zone tool in the Modelling toolbar, input the first point in absolute coordinates in the Cursor Input toolbar. Then type in the successive nodes using the dimensions given.

- If you are unsure how to do this and have not done the Simple House tutorial, please refer to that. Otherwise, if you have done the first tutorial or if you feel experimental, the Cursor Input toolbar appears in the top toolbar as soon as you enter a modelling command. Simply move the mouse in the direction you want to go and type a value when that axis’ text box receives the input focus. This locks that axis, meaning that you can now drag the mouse in another axis and enter a further value. To accept a point, simply click the Left Mouse button in the Drawing Canvas or hit the Enter key.

Energy simulation / Workshop Ecotect

7.2.1. Ecotect - Creating a zone using interactive measurements

3. Hit the Escape key to finish creating the zone.

- Once you have reached the last node, finish the zone and in the Rename Zone dialog box give it a unique name.

Energy simulation / Workshop Ecotect

7.2.1. Ecotect - Creating a zone using interactive measurements

4. Select and delete the existing Ceiling element so that it can be replaced with a raked ceiling and roof.

- The Spacebar key on the keyboard will help in cycling between adjacent objects.

Energy simulation / Workshop Ecotect

5. With the Create Line tool draw a line from the middle of each end of the zone, at roof level.

- You may need to check your snap settings to ensure that you have Mid Point snaps on. You need this line in the exact centre as you are going to use it to construct the new ceiling / roof.

- Once the two points have been entered, hit the Escape key on the

7.2.1. Ecotect - Creating a zone using interactive measurements

Energy simulation / Workshop Ecotect

6. With the line selected, go into Side view and, using the Move tool (Transform toolbar), shift the line up in the Z direction 1100mm.

- To do this, press the F7 key to enter side view, then click the Move button and move the mouse to snap to one end of the zone at the top. Then click the Left Mouse button to start moving the selected line, then drag the mouse in the Z direction and type 1100 to limit the move to that distance.

Finally, click the Left Mouse button again to accept the new position.

7.2.1. Ecotect - Creating a zone using interactive measurements

Energy simulation / Workshop Ecotect

7. Once you have moved the line up, change back to Perspective view by hitting the F8 key. Now you need to add four planes to describe the roof.

- Using the Create Plane button, snap to the existing geometry and create four separate roof elements, two flat and two sloped. Try using the F2 key to repeat the last command.

- When you have finished with the construction line you created earlier, select it and delete it from the scene.

7.2.1. Ecotect - Creating a zone using interactive measurements

Energy simulation / Workshop Ecotect

8. Take a look at the model in Rough Sketch mode (Display menu).

- As you can see there are two triangular holes at either end of the zone which you will need to fill. It is important for thermal and acoustic calculations that all zones are completely enclosed volumes (for more information on this, refer to Layers & Zones in the Concepts section of the ECOTECT Help File).

7.2.1. Ecotect - Creating a zone using interactive measurements

Energy simulation / Workshop Ecotect

9. Select the wall element at the end of the zone, then select the Add Node button.

- By adding a node to the top of the wall you will be able to cover the hole with a five sided wall segment.

7.2.1. Ecotect - Creating a zone using interactive measurements

Energy simulation / Workshop Ecotect

10. Move the cursor to the center of the top wall segment and click the Left Mouse button.

- Now the new node is attached to the cursor and you can move it into the correct position at the ridge line. To finish click again with the Left Mouse button.

7.2.1. Ecotect - Creating a zone using interactive measurements

Energy simulation / Workshop Ecotect

- Now do the same to the other end of the zone, so that it looks like the image below.

7.2.1. Ecotect - Creating a zone using interactive measurements

Energy simulation / Workshop Ecotect

2. Adding windows

7.2. Ecotect - Modelling fundamentals - Classroom

Energy simulation / Workshop Ecotect

You are now going to add several windows to the zone, and this time you are going to use the cursor method. The easiest way to do this is by setting up a series of construction lines.

1. First create a line that runs at the base of the southernmost wall of the

classroom, and move it up in the Z axis 700mm (the easiest way is by using the Z key on the keyboard).

- When using the nudge keys (X, Y, Z) the amount which you nudge by is set by the Cursor Snap/Nudge Value input box on the Options toolbar.

- Then copy and paste this line (Ctrl+C then Ctrl+V), and move the copy up further in the Z axis another 1200mm.