Visualizing input data and simulation results

Visualizing input parameter values

Details table at General tab: Click box icon of one parameter Shows a graphical overview of the parameter in the 3D view.

• Numerical values of parameters are shown with colors on the surfaces of the objects. A scale bar is displayed to correlate a specific color to a parameter value.
• Some parameter values, e.g. the amount of supply air for each zone, are shown with colored arrows. A scale bar is displayed to correlate a specific color to a parameter value.
• Parameters with a finite number of options, e.g. the occupant schedule for each zone, are shown with colors on the surfaces of the objects. Color coded legends are displayed to correlate a specific color to a parameter value.
• Names of objects are shown as text.

Tip: If a section is activated with one of the x+, x-, y+, y-, z+, z- buttons, only names of the objects in the section are shown.

• Close the parameter visualization: Click Close button or Right mouse button menu -> Close visualization.

Visualizing simulation summary results

Summary table at Summary tab: Click box icon of one variable. Shows a graphical overview of the variable in the 3D view.

• The values of the variable are shown with colors on the surfaces of the objects. A scale bar is displayed to correlate a specific color to a variable value.
• Close the results visualization: Click Close button or Right mouse button menu -> Close visualization.

Animating simulation results

Click Animation button. Opens the Show animated results dialog. In the Show animated results dialog, select variables to animate and click Show. Any number of overlay variables (check box), but only one scale bar variable (radio button), can be selected at a time. An animation starts.

• The values of the variable are shown with colors on the surfaces of the objects. A scale bar is displayed to correlate a specific color to a variable value.
• Some variable values, e.g. the ventilation air flows, are shown with colored arrows. A scale bar is displayed to correlate a specific color to a variable value.
• Overlay variable values are shown in a table in the top right corner of the 3D view.
• Pause the animation: Click the Play/Pause button 
• Start the animation: Click the Play/Pause button  a second time.
• Speed up/slow down the animation: Change the Speed value (the number of simulation hours animated in one second).
• Jump forward/backward in the animation: Use the scroll bar, or change the simulation time or date.
• Jump forward/backward to the next discrete result in the animation: Click the  and  buttons.
• Close the animation: Click Close button or Right mouse button menu -> Close animation.

Tip: To highlight difference between close variable values, narrow the visualized range by entering min and max range of values in the Show animated results dialog. Check Auto to reset to full variable range. Check Absolute value to visualize the absolute value of the variable.

Tip: To change the size of the animated arrows, enter a maximum arrow length in the Show animated results dialog.

Tip: To show a field result without interpolation between points, uncheck Smooth in the Show animated results dialog.

Threshold value on scale bar

When visualizing a parameter or a result in the 3D view so that the scale bar is shown, press down the Ctrl-key and click somewhere on the scale bar. A horizontal line and a threshold value are shown and the scale bar is red above and blue below the threshold value. The threshold value can be dragged while holding down the Ctrl-key. Ctrl-click somewhere outside of the scale bar to show the regular scale bar.

When visualizing a parameter with a finite number of options you can Ctrl-click on the different categories in the same way.

When visualizing a daylight field result or slice of the 'Climate'/'Climate (with stratification)' zone model field result, the percentage of area above and below the threshold is shown on the right side of the scale bar.

Animating sun path and shading

Click Animation button: Opens the Show animated results dialog. In the Show animated results dialog, check Show shadows and click Show.

• An animation starts with shadows, following the sun path of the day, displayed on the 3D model.
• Pause the animation: Click the Play/Pause button  
• Start the animation: Click the Play/Pause button  a second time.
• Speed up/slow down the animation: Change the Speed value (the number of simulation hours animated in one second).
• Jump forward/backward in the animation: Use the scroll bar or change the simulation time or date.
• Close the animation: Click Close button or Right mouse button menu -> Close animation.