Animation of simulated results

Note: The animation tab is accessible only if “Use 64-bit diagram and animation” is turned on in Preferences under "General" options "Start" tab. 

Animation tab in IDA ICE is a beta feature suited for result visualization only. The visualization engine is based on 64bit build of up-to-date VTK library to alleviate memory problems when visualizing large results (this is an issue when using old 3D visualization). This feature is by default turned off and marked as beta because it lacks certain features (such as shadow animation) available in old 3D visualization and some other features (such as full volume visualization of new zone model results) have limitations. When navigating to Animation tab for the default building template, the following view (see to the right) is observed.

Warning: For large buildings, opening the Animation tab can take substantially longer time compared to opening 3D tab.

The 3D model is located within the building window under the Animation tab, while the visualization controls are located to the left, on the side bar. The interaction with the model follows the same style as in 3D tab (note that there is no right click menu) with few additional commands further described below. Quick help is accessible via hovering over Navigation help hyperlink in the top right corner. The visualization in Animation tab is controlled mostly with the same options as the old 3D visualization with differences and additions explained below.

List of Animations

The new concept in Animation tab is possibility to add and save a number of visualizations. By default (if no animations have been saved in the project) an empty animation object is created. A new animation can be added with  button found to the right on top of the animation list. All animations objects are shown in the list (see to the right). Each animation can be renamed via right-click and "Rename" command, as well as deleted. 

When animation object is created and a specific variable is visualized, the settings of this visualization is automatically saved and stored in the animation object. The two exceptions are custom view points (described below, under "Show button"), which are stored and saved together with the building and filter settings for Daylight results, which are stored on the measurement planes. This means that all new animations have access to previously defined views and the views can be modified from any animation. Whereas Daylight filter settings apply to all daylight results (existing as new) after filter is defined.

Warning: Keep in mind that settings in animation are preserved even when switching between different type of results. For example, if 'Climate' zone model results are visualized (this automatically enables threshold), then switching to some other result will retain the state of threshold and the results initially might be confusing.

To avoid confusion, it is recommended to add a new animation object for visualizing different type of result.

Variable list

The variable list, which is located on the side bar, is used to select which result to visualize. New feature in Animation tab is that the result is visualized directly after selecting a variable instead of pressing "Show", then "Close" and then "Animation" and finally selecting a new variable. In order to get a better overview of variables for animation, it is possible to expand the variable list (by clicking on the expand icon) in a separate window which can also be positioned on a separate screen (see to the right). Both the small and the large animation list can be used to switch between different variables.

Visualization options

When a particular variable has been selected, the part of sidebar with visualization options gets activated. The options are the same as in old 3D visualization, except that for Animation tab these options are dynamically hidden and shown, see image to the right.

Note: If more than one ICE simulation type has been ran, the one to visualize is selected via drop-down menu under 'Simulation'.

With respect to old 3D visualization, there are few additions. Besides the options available before, there is a 'Cut level' field. It gets populated when model is sliced in x, y or z directions and is populated with coordinate of the cut plane. User can adjust this coordinate or turn the cut off (by deleting the number in the field).

Under button 'Show ...' there is another new feature under menu entry 'Save View'. With this feature, user can define and save arbitrary many custom views for easy access of different viewing settings.

To the right of x+,x-,y+,y-,z+,z- cut buttons, there is a '...' button. This button opens a 'Custom cut' form. Both custom views and custom cut are described in the following sub-sections.

Custom views

To define custom saved view, user can use either 'Show ...' button and then click on 'Save view' (see to the right), or alternatively use keyboard shortcut Alt+'s'. This operation will store view angle and camera distance in the custom view for the building. To indicate that custom views are available, the 3D model in Animation tab has a text overly at the bottom center of the pane showing 'Custom views:' and numbers of views defined. In example below, two custom views ('1' and '2') are defined. 

In order to load or select previously defined custom view, the user can either go via 'Show ...' menu, and then select 'Set view' and the desired custom view. Alternatively, keyboard shortcuts Alt+'1..9' can be used to load first 9 custom views.

Note: arbitrary many custom views can be used, however keyboard shortcut loading custom views work only for first 9 views.

To delete a particular custom view, the view first has to be selected. When the view is selected, the 'Save view' menu entry turns into 'Delete view' menu entry. Alternatively, keyboard shortcut Alt+'d' can be used to delete the selected custom view.

Custom cut

The custom cut form can be opened with a '...' button to the right of the standard x+,x-,y+,y-,z+,z- cut buttons. When the button is pressed, a separate window pops up, which also for convenience can be positioned on desired screen. Screenshot to the right.

In the custom cut form there are two selections, 'Normal vector' and 'Reference surface'. It is possible to activate only one of those. When using 'Normal vector', user has to define the normal vector of the custom cut plane explicitly in building coordinates. For 'Reference surface', double clicking on grey box or clicking on '...' button opens a 'Select object' dialogue. In this dialogue One can select reference surface (either zone surface or face of the building body) to which the cut plane will be parallel. In example above, Wall 2 in Zone is created with an angle and the custom cut plane is parallel to the Wall 2. After defining normal vector or reference surface, the custom cut can be activated either with keyboard shortcuts 'c' or 'C', or alternatively with 'c+' or 'c-' buttons on the Custom cut form.

Note: The cut level field in animation side bar is not active for custom cuts as it is non-trivial to define custom plane coordinate due to arbitrary orientation.

In custom cut form, there is another button called 'Bring cut to focus'. When a cut plane is activated, clicking this button will automatically shift the cut plane to the focus point or rotation center. As in 3D tab, this point can be selected by navigating mouse cursor to desired location and pressing 'f' key. The 'Bring cut to focus' functionality also has a keyboard shortcut, Alt+'f'. This function can be useful for larger model, where cut plane sometimes can be generated outside of the view.

CFD visualization (with CFD extension only)

In the new Animation tab it is also possible to visualize the CFD mesh and field results, when CFD extension is enabled. More detailed and  CFD specific help can be found here.

Troubleshooting