© 2009 Autodesk

Autodesk® EcotectTM Analysis:The Desktop Component Interface

Dr. Andrew MarshPrincipal Software Engineer, AEC-Simulation

© 2009 Autodesk

Menus and ToolbarsThe menu-items and icon shortcuts you use to get things done.

Control PanelsTabbed property editors you use to manipulate and view the model.

View controlsIcons for zooming, fitting and manipulating the model view.

Status-barDisplays model statistics and the application interactive status.

PagesTabs that control the main window and how you work with the model.

Topic Overview

Topics covered in this tutorial:

ELEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THIS ORDER

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Menus and Toolbars

Main MenuItems in the main menu contain most of the commands you will use to operate the program.

Main ToolbarThis contains action items that affect the properties of objects or direct the operation of the program.

Date / Time ToolbarThis toolbar allows you to change the date and time for the current shadow display and for time-based calculations.

Snap Settings ToolbarThis contains controls for interactive program features such as snap settings, grid sizes and transformation settings.

Menu and toolbars are located along the top-left of the application.

Displays a briefdescription of theselected item.

Resets all toolbars to default position.

These let you toggle the visibility of each toolbar.

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Command Entry ToolbarAllows you to directly enter script and lua commands in Ecotect. Use the Enter key or green arrow to execute the command.

Custom SliderInteracts with the OnSlider() event within dynamic models. Typically models with embedded scripts that use this slider will modify it’s name and unit values.

Stylus ToolbarProvides tools to use with a Tablet PC or pen-based computer. The Model and Zones buttons display the current Page’s context menu.

Movie ToolbarThe controls used to create movies and animations. These are usually located in the Display Settings control panel, but are moved here whenever you open this tab.

The User Toolbar

User ToolbarProvides a set of user-customisable buttons. Use the ‘…’ button to display the toolbar editor dialog in which you can add, edit and remove your own buttons. Each button can be used to execute a command, call as script or run an external application.

You can use the value shown at the bottom of this toolbar to observe selected data from the Selection Information control panel.

Undo Steps ListThis is simply a list of the last few action that you have done that are available to be undone.

A tabbed set of user tools is also optionally available.

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Control Panels

Selection InformationInformation and settings for the currently selected object, node or zone.

Zone ManagementA list of zones in the current model.

Material AssignmentDisplays and assigns primary and alternate materials for the currently selected object(s).

Display SettingsTools for controlling what is displayed in the 3D model.

Visualisation SettingsVisualisation controls for the OpenGL hardware rendering engine.

Shadow SettingsControls for displaying shadows and shading functions.

Analysis GridControls for positioning and calculating the analysis grid.

Rays & ParticlesControls for spraying acoustic rays and particles within the model.

Scripts & WizardsAllows you to add complex parametric objects as well as listing scripts and wizards from any folders you choose.

Object TransformationControls for numerically transforming selected objects and nodes.

Export ManagerQuick access to model export options.

Control panels are located on the right-hand side.

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Zoom Window Allows you to select a zoom region in the current view. Simply click the Left Mouse button at one corner of the desired region, drag the cursor to the opposing corner and release it. If this icon is clicked with the Right Mouse button, the last view change is undone.Fit GridFits the display grid to the extent of all currently visible objects in the model.Zoom All/SelectedZooms the view to fit selected objects. If nothing is selected, all are used.Zoom GridZooms to fit the current grid within the 3D Editor. If this icon is clicked with the Right Mouse button, all objects are fitted within the 3D Editor without any alteration to the grid.

View Controls

Resize GridBy resizing the grid to a particular section of a model, it is possible to zoom in and out of that section of model quickly and easily. In conjunction with the Zoom Grid command, this is the preferred method for working on sections of a model, rather than repeatedly using the zoom in and out commands.Copy ViewThis command copies the current view to the clipboard as either an enhanced Windows metafile (WMF) or as an RGB Windows bitmap (BMP), which you can then paste directly into other image manipulation or desktop publishing applications.

View control icons are located beneath the control panels.

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Dynamically Changing the View

Right-Mouse ButtonRotating a 3D viewClicking and dragging the Right-Mouse Button allows you to rotate the current model view.Panning a viewClick and drag the Right-Mouse Button whist holding down the CONTROL Key allows you to pan the current view.Zooming a viewClick and drag the Right-Mouse Button whist holding down the SHIFT Key allows you to pan the current view.Perspective distortionClick and drag the Right-Mouse Button whist holding down the SHIFT and CONTROL Key allows you to adjust the perspective distortion within the current view.

Arrow KeysRotating a 3D viewSimply press the Left/Right/Up/Down arrow keys. Smaller incrementsHold the SHIFT Key to reduce the increment from 10deg to 1 deg.Panning a viewHold down the CONTROL Key.

You can use the mouse or arrow keys to change the view.

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Status Bar

If the application is busy, this area displays either a progress bar or an action description.

Current cursor snap settings - you can toggle any of these by left-clicking with the mouse.

The status bar is located at the bottom of the main window.

Displays the status of the application - whether it is Idle or busy calculating something.

Displays the number of objects selected and the total number of objects in the model.

The first status bar sub-panel can also contain a command entry text box, allowing you to enter command shortcuts based on ECOTECT script commands. You can toggle this feature on/off using the Command Entry Box item in the Tools menu or by simply double-clicking the left mouse button in the status bar.

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Main Work AreaThe area in the centre of the main application window is where you will do most of your work.

Choosing a PageThe tabs running down the left side allow you to choose Pages which show different aspects of the model, its associated data and analysis.

Pages in Main Application Window

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PROJECT Page

PROJECT PageShows textual and context information relating to the project itself and the site on which it sits.

Many different types of information can be held within your project.

This is also where you set the location and orientation of the building site.

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3D EDITOR Page

3D EDITOR PageDisplays the editable building model, allowing you to add, modify and delete building elements.

These icons act on selected objects in the 3D Editor.

Use these icons to create new objects in your model.

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VISUALISE Page

VISUALISE PageShows a rendered view of the model, complete with all the analysis elements you choose to display.

Use these tabs to create, store and select different model views.

Use the Visualization Settings panel to control render and sketchiness parameters.

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ANALYSIS Page

ANALYSIS PageDisplays graphical analysis information such as solar radiation, internal temperatures or reverberation times.

Use these icons to fit, capture, scale and lock the current graph.

Use these tabs to select the type of graphical analysis you wish to run.

Both graphical and tabulated text data is available for almost all types of analysis.

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REPORTS Page

You can select from a wide range of standard reports…

… as well as different formatting options.

REPORTS PageDisplays an embedded HTML browser that has a number of uses: to display embedded help within the software as well as report tables which can be displayed as either formatted text, styled HTML or sent direct to MS Excel.

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SUMMARY

PAGE TABSAllows you to select from the five main work pages.

PANEL TABSSelect from the eleven panels tabs for performing actions.

TOOLBARSShortcuts to common menu commands and settings.

MAIN MENUContains the commands you use to operate the program.

VIEW TOOLBARAllows you to fit and adjust the current model view.

STATUS BARShows settings and progress of calculations.

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