A Plug-in for SketchUp that allows visualization of sun position and sun path, produces axonometric views from the sun to analyze mutual shading, and easy solar access and penetration at any design stage, without the need of exporting the data to external programs, using the existing SketchUp 3D model. It is aimed to serve students, teachers, architects and consultants from the early design stages, to include solar consideration in the design, using SketchUp as the graphic platform.
Screen Shots
Keywords
Sun Path, Sun Views, Solar Access, Sun Penetration
Validation/Testing
None
Expertise Required
None
Users
Approximately 700 international users downloaded Plug-In two weeks after release.
Audience
Architects, students, teachers, consultants
Input
Uses the geometrical (3D model) and geographical information defined by the user in SketchUp. No defaults, no special data needed.
Output
SunPATH: visualization (month and year), SunPOS: Sun Position for a date and time, SunVIEW: Axonometric views from the Sun, SunPENETRATION: Analyze Sun Penetration/Access in any specific analysis point. Output in screen and as jpegs, can de saved as part of the SketchUp file.
Computer Platform
Windows, Mac under development
Programming Language
Ruby
Strengths
Sketch-Up integrated, visualization of solar data valuable for design
Weaknesses
No calculations performed, no simulations (yet)
Contact
Availability
Free; registration required
http://tx.technion.ac.il/~arrguedi/SunTools/download.html
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