Create Daylight Views

 

ElumTools Daylight mode can calculate Rooms, Spaces, Areas or Regions from any view. However, that approach cannot consider exterior surfaces such as shades or other structures. In order to consider exterior geometry it is necessary to separate those elements into an exterior 3D view which can be identified by ElumTools. The calculation should then be executed using the Calculate Multiple Views command.

 

The Create Daylighting Views command will automatically create two unique 3D views with default names: ElumTools Interior View and ElumTools Exterior View. You can rename those views as you like at the time they are created as shown.   The command automatically places the following geometry in the Interior View: Ceilings Floors Walls Stairs Roofs Windows Ramps Curtain Walls Curtain Wall Mullions Doors ElumTools Calculation Point Family Instances

 

The Exterior is empty by default. Use Revit's Visibility Graphics command to turn on and off geometry in either view. Only visible geometry will participate in the calculation process. Examples of exterior geometry that would be important in daylight studies include: extended roofing, exterior shading devices, columns, trees, other structures.

 

Rules for Daylight Calculations and Daylight Views

Daylight views follow a specific rule set:

 

• All surfaces in exterior views are treated as daylight exterior. This means they receive direct sunlight and skylight and block or reflect this light to all daylight transition surfaces (daylight portals).
• Surfaces in interior views are treated as interior with the following exceptions:
  • The exterior surfaces of exterior walls.
  • The exterior (top) surfaces of roofs.
  • The exterior (bottom) surface of exterior floors.
• Daylight portals are determined using the current rule set described in Appendix D of the ElumTools help, regardless of whether the element resides in an interior or exterior view.

 

Tips for using Daylight Views

You can create multiple sets of daylight views. The Calculate Multiple Views command will allow you to save them in various groups fo your design. This can be helpful when analyzing different exterior shading devices or other shadowing conditions (trees etc.).