Project Vasari Workshop

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Autodesk Vasari Workshop 2012 Workshop Exercise 1: User Interface

Exercise 1: User Interface

Lesson Overview This section is intended to introduce users to the basics of Autodesk

® Project Vasari. The

skills learned here will allow you to utilize the wide range of modeling and analytical tools

within Project Vasari. In addition to this, you will learn to import CAD and raster files,

select model objects and manipulate the work plane. To begin this session, let’s start with

a new project file. Click New under Projects to open a new Autodesk® Revit

® Architecture

(.rvt) project file. This file will open natively in Revit Architecture software as well. Project

templates can also be opened, and custom templates can be saved with predefined

project information, settings, families, graphics settings, etc.

In this exercise, you will be introduced basics interface techniques to begin using Project

Vasari. You will learn to:

- Basic Navigation

- Change Views

- Use the Tabs and Contextual Menus

- Import Files into Vasari

- Select Objects

- Orient the Workplane

Learning Objectives After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

- Navigate through the Vasari Modeling environment

- Use the tool tabs and contextual menus

- Change camera view - Import AutoCAD

® and other CAD data.

- Import reference raster images for design.

- Use a Google Maps™ image underlay.

Suggested Exercises

Exercise 1.0: Navigation and Views

Exercise File

01.1 Navigation and UI.rvt

Video Tutorial

Video 1.0: Navigation

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Navigating the Modeling Environment

Begin this section by trying each of the navigation operations around the sample model

objects in the first exercise file.

1. Pan

By pressing in and holding the middle mouse button, you can pan within the

modeling environment.

2. Orbit

By pressing the shift key on your keyboard while holding down the middle

mouse button you are able to orbit around your model.

3. Zooming

The scroll wheel on your mouse can be used to zoom in and out on the modeling

environment. Pressing ZA in sequence is the keyboard shortcut to zoom to

model extents.

4. ViewCube

By clicking and dragging the ViewCube on the top right of the Vasari interface,

you can orbit your model as well. By clicking on any of the faces, edges or

corners of the cube, you can orient the camera view to a predetermined view.

You can also click and drag on any of the orientations of the ViewCube to

constrain the rotations.

5. Views in Project Browser

On the left side of the Vasari interface, you can access the stored project

views. By double clicking on the Views in the Project Browser, you can expand

the menu to show all of the saved views. By double clicking on a view, a new

window set to the desired project view will open.

Exercise 1.1: Importing, Selection and Work Planes

Exercise File

01.2 Import-select-workplane1_Start.rvt

Video Tutorial

Video1.1: Importing and Setting Work planes

Importing, Selection and Work Planes

Begin this exercise by opening a new project in Vasari. In this section, the exercise files

associated with each operation will show the exercise in a completed state.

Importing Files

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Often a two dimensional CAD or raster underlay is used to guide the

layout of a model. Project Vasari is capable of importing a number of file

formats such as JPEG, TIFF, DWG, DXF, DGN, and SKP (Sketch up).

We will start by importing the CAD underlay file called “Site

Underlay.DWG” into a new Vasari project.

Under in the upper left corner > Import > Import CAD

It is important to note the various options at the bottom of the import

screen. You have the option to filter and orient the imported CAD

depending on your needs. For this exercise, set the Colors drop down to

preserve the original CAD colors, also set the Positioning drop down to

origin to origin.

The process of importing an existing raster image is very similar to the

CAD import.

Click App menu > Import > Image.

Setting Location, Weather Data and Google Earth™ Site Images

When creating a project, the location of the site can be specified in multiple ways.

Specifying an exact location is important for solar analysis and energy analysis as well as

contextual design. This location can be selected by street address, major city, or latitude

and longitude. The location is also associated with weather data used in the Conceptual

Energy Analysis. If you are looking to import a site image for sketching over top of, Project

Vasari has an embedded tool for importing Google Maps™.

1. Click Analyze > Project Location > Location or in the ViewCube >Location.

The Location Weather and Site dialog displays an interactive Google Maps™ interface

that can be navigated by searching for a city. Once in the area of the site, drag the red

cursor over the site to specify exact longitude and latitude. Note: Internet connection

required.

You must be signed into Autodesk Online Services to access weather data. The weather

data is populated with data from the 2007 ASHRAE Handbook. This option is

recommended for HVAC and mechanical work.

On the left side of the dialog, there is a list of weather stations from which all

environmental data is available. Select the weather station closest to the site. In this case,

choose weather station 59385.

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For Project Address, enter San Diego, CA. Notice it brings you to a default city center

location. You can simply click and drag the home pin to your desired location, or you can

enter in specific longitude and latitude coordinates. For this lesson, enter in 32.71° N,

117.17° W.

Next, click Import Site Image on the bottom right side of the dialog. This will be the

underlay image from Google Maps that will come in as a textured surface and will be used

as a reference for modeling the site context as well as establishing the site extents when

massing. Note: You can change the size of the dialog to create different aspect ratios for

the underlay image. You can use the mouse wheel to zoom and pan to get the image you

want before importing.

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The imported image may require some manipulation to get it to align more closely with the

model and CAD underlay. It is not important that it aligns perfectly, it is mainly for

reference and context.

Selecting Objects

The default command in Vasari is Modify. You can always get to it by clicking the

Modify button on the left side of the Ribbon. Or from inside other commands by

pressing the Escape key (esc). Elements are highlighted when you hover. They

change color when you select them.

Forms are made up of elements, such as faces, edges and points. You can

use the Tab key, combined with the left mouse button, to cycle through the

available elements, before selecting the one you want. Press and hold the

control key to add an object to your current selection.

Right-clicking on an element, or a blank area of the view, provides more

commands related to your current selection.

When you select an element, such as a completed mass, you will see relevant properties

presented in the Properties palette on the left. You can modify the properties of that

element, and the changes are made immediately

Double-clicking on a mass allows you to start editing it. You can move it using 3D control

widgets, or by typing dimensions.

Setting and Showing Workplanes

Exercise File

01.2 Import-select-workplane2_End.rvt

Work planes are crucial to understanding modeling in Vasari. Geometry is always

associated to some host surface or plane. Elements can be detached from constraints but

will still maintain some sort of relative offset to some particular reference plane or surface.

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In some views, the work plane is automatically set. In other views, such as elevation and section views, you need to set the work plane. The work plane is necessary for sketching operations and for enabling tools in particular views, such as Rotate and Mirror in a 3D view.

Two ways to set a plane:

1. Select the Set Tool Within the work plane dialogue box, you can select an existing workplane by name, or by choosing to pick a plane from the modeling environment.

2. While in the Vasari 3D environment, simply select an existing reference

plane or grid. Use the “Show” tool to display existing work planes.

Reference Points

Reference points contain three reference axes which can either be set to reflect the global coordinates or the local coordinates where the point is located.

Reference Lines

Reference lines each contain four planes of reference, each of which are associated with the vector of the line. The two which lie on the line are parallel to the vector, and the end point planes are normal to the vector.

Levels

To set up levels for the project that will be shared between all of the design

options we are going to create. To do this, simply select all the reference planes

that are created by default when you option up the file.

While holding the Shift key, drag those reference planes up vertically. You can easily

change the spacing by clicking on any plane and entering a new value where you see the

current dimension. For the San Diego campus there is a 12 foot (3.6576 meters) distance

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between each reference plane. Autodesk® Project Vasari uses these planes as floor

datums to create floors in the masses we will create for energy modeling. These are

calculated as floor to floor heights and will define the floor areas to measure. You can

create parameters that drive the distances between each reference plane so you can

explore how the floor to floor heights affect the overall project later on.

It is important to remember that all modeling in Project Vasari happens in relation to these

reference planes, so create as many as are appropriate to your project intent.

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Autodesk Vasari Workshop 2012 Workshop Exercise 2: Creating and Modifying Form

Exercise 2: Creating and Modifying Form

Lesson Overview When you start working in Autodesk

® Project Vasari, you may already have a few

sketches of ideas for the campus. You should have a conceptual basis for the design,

notebook sketches and ideas. In this section you will learn basic 2D sketching and 3D

modeling skills by creating several low-rise buildings on our site based on a basic CAD

layout.

In this lesson, you explore basic techniques for using Project Vasari to set up a project

location. You will learn how to:

- 2D Sketching and 3D Modeling

- Creating Basic Mass Forms

- Manipulate Forms Using Modeling Tools

- Create Mass Floors and Area Schedules

Learning Objectives - Sketch and extrude several simple masses

- Edit mass forms in-place

Suggested Exercises

Exercise 2.0: Basic Sketching and Extrusion

Exercise File

2-0 Create Form Modify Form1_Start.rvt

Video Tutorial

Video2.0: Creating and Modifying Forms

Once the exercise file is loaded, modeling can begin.

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In this example, we see a set of lines and polylines drawn in AutoCAD®

and imported. For this exercise, we want to create a series of low

buildings using the closed CAD lines as a template for the footprints.

Begin by temporarily hiding the map image by selecting the image and

pressing “HH” on your keyboard. To unhide, press “HR.”

Next, click Create Mass tool under the model tab. Using the modeling lines,

sketch the profiles of each mass footprint you wish to create, ensuring that

each sketch is a closed loop.

To extrude, select the curve and select Create Form at the top of the ribbon.

This creates a parametrically controlled form where you can use a 3D control

to push, pull, and edit the form on any face. You can perform blends, sweeps,

extrusions, and Boolean operations in this environment. For the low buildings,

this exercise will only be using the extrude commands.

When you are finished with each building, click Finish Mass.

Modifying Form

Once you have created and finished your basic building mass extrusions, you can go back

into the Mass Editor by selecting the mass object and clicking the Edit In-Place on the

ribbon.

By selecting a face individually, you can use the many modeling tools to manipulate the

surface and overall form.

Another helpful modeling trick is to hit the space bar with a surface, edge, or point

selected. This toggles between a 3D control that operates in the world XYZ coordinate

system and object-specific coordinate system, enabling you to move and edit the object

more precisely.

3D control Orientation

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When you have successfully done this step, the model should resemble the following:

Mass Floors

After modeling and selecting Finish Mass you can

use the reference planes as datum to create floors

for calculating square footages (or meters) and

enabling the Conceptual Energy Analysis features.

The Mass Floors button is right next to Edit Mass-

In-Place whenever a mass is selected. You can

move your reference planes around to edit the

floor-to-floor heights and the model automatically

updates. Notice in the Project Browser, under

Schedules, a new Mass Floor schedule is

automatically created. Open it and see how area

totals are tracked per floor. Schedules can be

added and edited for almost any geometry or data

in Autodesk® Project Vasari.

Area Schedules

By creating mass floors, you automatically create

and populate a schedule of information based on

the floors you just created. The Mass Floor

Schedule is located in the Project Browser under

Schedules and Quantities.

Additional Resources

Project Vasari Essential Skills - Work planes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V6TjWODEgw&feature=view_all&list=PL43803D4C2D8AF15E&in

dex=5

Project Vasari Essential Skills - Draw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nyW1UHhTws&feature=view_all&list=PL43803D4C2D8AF15E&in

dex=7

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Project Vasari Essential Skills - Select http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2swT6LOIpCs&feature=view_all&list=PL43803D4C2D8AF15E&ind

ex=8

Project Vasari Essential Skills - Edit Mass http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY5Np1IYmy0&feature=view_all&list=PL43803D4C2D8AF15E&ind

ex=6

Project Vasari Advanced Skills - Drawing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAryDgdhB1A&feature=view_all&list=PL43803D4C2D8AF15E&in

dex=13

Project Vasari Advanced Skills - Create Form Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxyXV2csUn4&feature=view_all&list=PL43803D4C2D8AF15E&ind

ex=14

Project Vasari Advanced Skills - Create Form Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJfJZUOso2c&feature=view_all&list=PL43803D4C2D8AF15E&ind

ex=15

Project Vasari Advanced Skills - Reference Lines

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjIqUOiJg3M&feature=view_all&list=PL43803D4C2D8AF15E&inde

x=16

3D Levels (Reference Planes, Mass Floors)

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP21/Help/0074-Prelimin74/0077-Conceptu77/0091-

Drawing_91/0098-3D_Level98

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Autodesk Vasari Workshop 2012 Workshop Exercise 3: Parameters

Exercise 3: Parameters

Lesson Overview This exercise will focus on the creation of several configurations of the tower in the corner

of the site. Adding parameters to the project can increase efficacy of the design process

and show design intent more clearly. Like in Autodesk® Revit

® Architecture software,

parameters can be added to make adjustments to the design or to constrain form to

particular values. We will begin by explicitly manipulating the tower to generate several

options (straight extrusion, tapered and twisted). Then we will use a parametric approach

to create similar forms. Once parametric controls are in place, we will explore how we can

quickly iterate formal options for analysis in the upcoming exercises.

Learning Objectives - Creating Tower Options: Extrude, Taper and Twist

- Adding Parameters to Control Shape

- Create Several Design Options For Analysis

Suggested Exercises

Exercise 3.0: Parameters

Exercise File

3-0 Parameters1_Start.rvt

Video Tutorial

Video 3.0: Parameters

Creating the Parametric Tower Mass

At this early stage of the design process, focus only on a few general parameters. Explore

different goals of our models as to not over constrain them. You will focus on exploring

height, tapering and rotation of the tower. Start by either sketching your own footprint and

extruding a mass or select the existing tower and Edit-in-Place. Add a dimension

parameter for the height by keying in DI and setting it in the Project Properties dialog.

Ensure you the work plane is correctly set to constrain the dimension vertically. Verify that

the tower height is being driven by the dimension, by trying a few different values.

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Creating a Parameter:

Now that there is a tower in place, we want to be able to change the height with the

Parameter Properties dialog. Select the dimension you just created to drive the height of

the tower. When the dimension is selected, below the ribbon you will see a series of

options become available in the Options Bar.

In the Options bar, click Label>Add Parameter.

In the Parameters Properties dialog,

give your new parameter a name

relevant to what it is intended to control.

Make sure to select Instance and that

you group the parameter under

Dimension.

Once completed, you should be able to

control the Height (or any other

parameter you choose to set) using the

Properties dialog in the project

environment.

Mass with Height Dimension

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Exercise File

3-1 Parameters2_Tower.rvt

3-2 Parameters2_End.rvt

Now that you have a basic understanding of parameters in Project Vasari, we can move

on to creating a simple parametric rig to control the form of our twisting tower. Begin by

either creating a new mass within the project or creating a new mass family.

Our goal in this exercise is to create a surface with XY axis rotation controls imbedded

within its construction, from which we will loft to a stationary bottom surface (Building

footprint). To do so, we must construct the geometry to be driven by a rotation parameter.

Begin by placing a reference point at the center of where you wish the object to rotate.

For this example, the intersection of the default reference planes.

From the point, draw a reference line which originates from the reference point to an

arbitrary location off to one side. This line will be host for the model geometry you are

about to create, so its dimensions are not important. Place an angular dimension between

any axis and the newly created reference lines. Assign the dimension as a parameter as

you did in the section prior to this with a descriptive name such as “Rotation Angle.” To

prevent future issues, make sure to test the parameters as you create them.

Your model geometry will need to be hosted onto this reference line in order establish a

relationship to its rotation parameter. To do so, you must set the reference plane to

the reference line you wish to build off of.

Once you have finished drawing your hosted geometry, check to see whether the rotation

parameter is functioning correctly.

To prevent future issues, make sure to test the parameters as you create them. Your

geometry should now react to changes in the parameters they are related to.

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Create a second level by copying and moving it up. Then copy and paste all of the objects

you just created onto the second level. This can done using the Paste from clipboard

options under the Paste tool. Select Aligned to Selected Levels and select level two.

After you have your objects pasted correctly, you need to convert your model geometry to

reference geometry in order to retain control of your parameters. Select the profiles of the

rectangles and select the Is Reference Line check box in the Properties dialog.

Next, loft the two reference profiles together by selecting them and clicking Create Form

on the ribbon. Test the twisting parameter to ensure that everything is functioning as

intended.

Additional Resources

Dimensions

Rotate parameter, loft should update

Loft Rectangles

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http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP25/Help/0279-Visualiz279/0399-Dimensio399

Temporary Dimensions

Permanent Dimensions

Listening Dimensions

Dimension Witness Lines

Modifying Dimensions

Dimension Properties

Parameters

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP25/Help/0669-Tools_an669/0800-Project_800

Creating Project Parameters

Creating Shared Project Parameters

Reporting Parameters

Formulas

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP25/Help/0669-Tools_an669/0804-Formulas804Resizing

Elements with Formulas

Using Formulas for Numerical Parameters

Valid Formula Syntax and Abbreviations

Conditional Statements in Formulas

Creating Design Options

Exercise File

3-3 Parameters3_DesignOptions.rvt

Video Tutorial

Video 3.3: Design Options

To test and analyze multiple forms or schemes in Autodesk® Project Vasari, use Design

Options. Design Options is a framework for modeling, analyzing, and visualizing iterations

during design. A team can develop, evaluate, and redesign building elements, specific

spaces, or discrete components while not affecting other parts of the model. For example,

on a large scale, options may test different placements of a tower and its solar effects on

adjacent buildings. On a smaller scale, design options could test alternative shading

devices on a wall. After energy analyses have been run, the results can be compared side

by side and an informed decision about the design is made. The design develops after

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multiple studies and analyses hone in on a design specific to the formal, environmental,

cost, and design criteria laid out by the designer.

You now have a basic sketch of what the building may look like, but the next step is to

experiment with the form and explore many possibilities. To use all of the modeling

options, parameters and design options are necessary for quick changes. In this lesson,

you will set up a few variations of the tower form using design options.

Using Design Options

Design Options is a built-in feature for modeling and analysis in Autodesk® Project Vasari

to quickly explore permutations. Start with the base model, imported CAD objects, a site

model, or a blank slate.

Combining Design Options with project parameters is a great way to organize your model

and works in a similar way as layers do in other 3D applications like Autodesk® 3ds Max

®

Design software. The primary difference here is that Project Vasari automatically

categorizes all of the models components, from a conceptual mass down to the different

types of glazing. This detail enables the design options feature to be a higher level group

that can be turned on or off. When you create a parametric model within a design option

set, it is easy to copy it, make some changes, and compare the differences between

options in the Conceptual Energy Analysis environment.

Setting Up Design Options

You should now set up your project file with Design Options. In Project Vasari, Design

Options work very similarly to layers in other programs. To set them up, find the Design

Options button under the Analyze tab. You can either click Design Options or key in DO to

enter the dialog. By default, the existing modeled geometry is the base option and is

labeled.

Main Model, Option Sets, and Options

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Adding Geometry to a Design Option

To create a set of three options with parametric tower varieties, create a new set. Label

the new set Tower Options. The first set we rename to Main Building and leave the

base mode geometry on it.

Within the Options set, create three options: Twist, Taper and Straight. Next is to create

three new views, one associated with each design option.

In the primary set with the correct corresponding view activated, place one of the tower

options. Repeat the same process for each of the tower options. Now you can toggle

between three tower options by selecting the drop down menu in the view bar at the

bottom of the screen.

Switching Objects from one design option to another:

As you go through the process, you may want to switch a mass between Design Options.

Now that you have multiple tower options and a temporary building family, you will need to

organize these into a logical set. You can either copy and paste an object into a Design

Option or add new geometry in the dialog. With these three options set up, run the

analysis tools and make an informed decision about which option to pursue.

Additional Resources

Design Options

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP25/Help/0075-Prelimin75/0206-

Design_O206/0207-Design_O207

Design Option Overview

Design Option Workflow

Design Options Terminology

Best Practices for Design Options

Creating Design Option Sets

Adding Design Options

Bottom Right Design Options Toggle

Design Options A, B, and C

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Working with Design Options

Viewing Design Options

Considerations When Using Design Options

Troubleshooting Issues with Design Options

Typical Uses of Massing Studies

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP21/Help/0519-Analyze_519/0520-Massing_520/0521-

Massing_521/0522-Typical_522

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Autodesk Vasari Workshop 2012 Workshop Lesson 4: Orientation, Sun Path & Solar Radiation

Lesson 4: Orientation, Sun Path & Solar Radiation

Lesson Overview The goal in the preliminary sun path study is to figure out where solar heat gain is most

extreme and the best way to mitigate it. This will help you visualize and make informed

decisions about materials, energy loads, and financial costs. First, go to the bottom of the

screen and turn on the solar path in the view toolbar. In this dialog, you can specify the

size of the solar path as well as the sun’s location per date and time.

Use the solar path tool to visualize basic shadows and their change over time. This path

can be animated and visualized in different ways for analysis and visualization. Once you

know how the sun is hitting your building, you can use this information to change your

design accordingly.

Learning Objectives - Setting Project Location

- Using sun path tools to analyze towers on different dates

- Visualizing sun path, animations, and shadows

- Solar radiation analysis

Exercise 4.0: Orientation, Sun Path and Solar Radiation

Exercise File

4-0 Orientation,Sunpath,Radiation.rvt

Video Tutorial

Video 4.0: Sun Path

Setting Project Position and Orientation

Often you may find when you import a CAD underlay or a site image that the project north

and true north are not aligned. Establishing north correctly must be sorted out in order to

proceed, as orientation of your buildings is essential to

producing reliable analysis results.

Begin by opening a 2d plan view of your project under the

project browser. To access the set of tools which allow you

to rotate project/true north, you are required to be in a plan

view. This functionality can allow you to view your project

and draw orthogonally while maintaining true north.

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Sun Path Tool

The sun path is a visual representation of the sun's range

of movement across the sky at the geographic location you

specify for a project. Using the sun paths on-screen

controls, you can create solar studies by placing the sun at

any point along its daily or yearly path.

The location of the sun can be manipulated by grabbing and pulling the

graphic sun on the model or by explicitly defining a date range and a time.

To define an explicit date, click on the sun icon in the lower view bar and

select Sun Settings. In this dialog, you can set any explicit solar time for its

position. It is also possible to add and edit sun setting presets.

Preview and Export a Solar Path Animation

Within the View Options, use the Solar Path toggle to select

Preview Solar Study and define an animation timeline. Shadows

must be on to preview a solar study. To export the solar study,

select Export under the Applications menu and choose Images

and Animations > Solar Study. This will provide a dialog for the

video settings and directory before rendering out the animation.

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Sun Path

Change the visual size of the sun path relative to the model in the properties dialog box

with the sun path selected. This does not change the behavior of the sun other than its

visual properties.

Shadows

Activating shadows in Project Vasari is done on the settings bar at the bottom of the

modeling screen. Shadows are reactive to changes in time (Solar Position).

Sun Path Settings

Options and settings for the sun path tool are located on the bar at the bottom of the

modeling screen next to the shadow button. Sun settings can be set to reflect a single

moment in time, a few hours, a whole day, or over the course of several days. You also

have the option to select certain presets for equinox/solstice or seasonal studies.

Constraining your analysis can help you better understand the solar implications during

peak load times of summer, or to perform a solar access analysis during the winter.

Solar Radiation Studies

After the Sun Path is set, we run a more precise solar radiation analysis based on the

Autodesk® Ecotect

® Analysis software solar analysis tool. Radiation analysis shows solar

heating load incident to the envelope of the

building. It displays the intensity of the solar heat

transfer and allows the user to either choose to

change the orientation of the building or add

shading to the exterior or conceptual constructions.

In Show Mass Form mode, select the masses we

want to run the Ecotect Solar Radiation analysis

on. Analyze each of your tower options.

In the respective dialog, there are options for

resolution, units, and the ability to define only

certain faces of the selection to analyze. Like other energy analysis tools, a higher

resolution analysis takes longer. Keep this in mind when selecting faces and be careful

not to analyze unnecessary geometry.

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Analyze and Iterate

After completing the radiation analysis, the results are visualized directly on the model.

With these results, the red color shows the highest radiant heat transfer to the skin of the

building on the southern facing walls. If you decide after this analysis that there is too

much solar heat gain due to the form of the building, you can either edit the existing forms

or you can use the Design Options to try out different forms and settle on a solution with a

more appropriate amount of exposure.

Analysis Display Styles

You can adjust the visual

display styles to suit the

needs of your project.

Multiple display styles can be

useful for visual analysis as

well. Analysis Display Styles,

found under Manage >

Settings, is an option for

customizing the visual

display settings of the

analysis tools. You can

create new or multiple views and use them for different analyses while documenting your

process. These styles are available throughout the Project environment, but not in the

family editor.

Exporting a .csv file of this data is also possible, and can be exported through the Solar

Radiation analysis dialog.

After the sun path and solar radiation study, we know much more about where solar

exposure is greatest and can try a few methods to curtail energy use. Solar incident

radiation is a simple but telling tool for understanding how the form is impacted by the sun.

Roof and wall pitches, shading devices, and siting are all basic ways to lessen the impact

of solar radiation. If using photovoltaic panels, this tool can be used conversely to gain

Figure 6.3.15 Complete Solar Radiation

Analysis visual Marker Style

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more solar energy. In any scenario, keep in mind the context. A dense urban environment

may need different glazing or daylighting strategies at the base of the building versus

higher floors.

Since you can visually see the southern facades show the most solar gain we will adapt

our program and energy use accordingly. Arranging the types of program and conditioned

spaces in the building, based on analysis, can help energy use at a primary level. After

adjusting the energy settings by program, you will design an adaptive component with a

variable shading element to use on these solar-intensive facades.

Additional Resources

Solar Studies

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP21/Help/0519-Analyze_519/0570-Solar_St570

Solar Studies Overview

Solar Studies Workflow

Setting up and Creating Solar Studies

Previewing Solar Study Animations

Saving Solar Study Images to Projects

Exporting Solar Studies

Troubleshooting Solar Study Issues

Working with Sun Settings

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Autodesk Vasari Workshop 2012 Workshop Lesson 5: Conceptual Energy Analysis

Lesson 5: Conceptual Energy Analysis

Lesson Overview Conceptual Energy Analysis (CEA) is a high-level analysis tool to deliver preliminary

feedback and understanding of how the model created responds to site and climatic

environment. This process can and should be used multiple times at different stages

during the design process. It works for different scales but generates a set of data most

relevant to comparing multiple design options of the same building. It will become

important to spend some time thinking about the resulting data from the analysis as Vasari

cannot speak to the implications of the new information.

Learning Objectives - Set Energy Settings and baselines for Conceptual Energy Analysis

- Perform a Conceptual Energy Analysis

- Review analysis results

Exercise 5.0: Conceptual Energy Analysis

Exercise File

5-0 ConceptualEnergyAnalysis.rvt

Video Tutorial

Video 5.0: Conceptual Energy Analysis

Enable Energy Modeling

In the Energy Analysis panel, click Enable Energy Model. This associates exterior walls

with an energy envelope and glazing system to use for analysis. Once energy modeling is

enabled, use the four different Energy Model Display modes to visualize and test different

aspects of the model.

Energy Model Display Modes

Modeling, analysis, and model management all become easier when using the right

display mode. The Energy Model Display Modes are different view and selection settings

for working with the model. Under Analysis > Energy Display there are four different

options: By View, Form, Surfaces, and Zones.

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Show Mass Form

This option displays all mass instances and forms in all views, even if the mass category

is turned off in Visibility Graphics.

Show Mass Surfaces

Use this mode for changing conceptual constructions and other energy settings for

individual mass surfaces (floors, slabs, walls, roofs, glazing, and skylights). Use Tab to

cycle through and select different surfaces and objects individually.

Show Mass Zones

For Conceptual Energy Analysis this displays individual mass zones. This allows selecting

individual zones and editing unique settings.

NOTE

The energy analysis tool in Project Vasari will not allow you to isolate an individual mass

in a project for analysis, so for this example we will be allowing it to look at all of our

masses. Typically when performing an energy analysis, you would not simulate several

buildings at once, you would do them individually. Just as a note, this example is purely to

illustrate the process of conducting an energy analysis in Project Vasari.

Appropriate Level of Detail

During the modeling process, make sure not to be too detailed. Energy modeling for many

of the quick analysis tools Autodesk® Project Vasari has to offer is best done at a very

basic level first. Adding lots of detail takes more time for testing options that may not be

used. Energy analyses are processor-heavy operations that are often rough results of

many variables. Simple models simply work better.

Model Display Modes

Mass Form Mass Surfaces Mass Zones

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Creating Zones and Assigning Programs to Spaces

In this exercise, create new custom Zones in order to specify the program and

conditioning type of different parts of the main building. You will be able to choose from a

comprehensive list of use types, ranging from active storage to gymnasiums and

auditoriums. You will also specify if those zones are heated, cooled, naturally ventilated,

or mechanically ventilated.

This functionality is achieved is by creating new geometry based on what has already

modeled and cutting it out of the main building model. This performs two functions. It

creates a custom space to isolate and add more detail to as well as provides a conceptual

space specifically for running Conceptual Energy Analyses.

If you are dealing with simple, orthogonal geometry, you can use

the Core Offset option within the Energy Settings dialog. The core

offset enables you to create a perimeter zone that is used to

specify the conditioning settings for the areas closes to the exterior

facades (which typically require more conditioning) and an interior

zone.

You may also use the Divide Perimeter Zones option also found in

the Energy Settings dialog, which will divide your model by

orientation, leaving you with four zones, one per each cardinal

direction. This is particularly useful responding to the southern

orientation with a different approach than the northern orientation.

Specifying Individual Program Spaces

Once all of the zones are created there are two options. You can select an individual zone

and assign program to it by moving over to the properties dialogue and choosing a value

for the Space Type field. Alternatively, you can create a Mass Zone Schedule to have a

fast way at assigning program and conditioning type information. This will display all of the

zones created, where you can also click on a cell within the schedule and have that

particular zone become highlighted in the actual model.

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To create a schedule, click Manage tab > Schedule. For all of the detailed program

assignments, simply open up the schedule created in the Browser.

Energy Settings

Before using specific analysis tools, setting the

project Energy Settings is a good first step. Use

the Energy Settings dialog to set global values

for the project’s location, building type, phase,

and energy model settings. Click Analysis tab>

Energy Analysis > Energy Settings. Here are

the settings used for the academic campus.

Even though these were set first, they can be

reviewed and edited at any time during the

process. Energy settings can be edited per

program space also, but this is the first step to

standardizing a base setting. These options will

be explored in Exercise 6.3.3: Changing Energy

Settings per Analysis.

Additional Resources

Introduction to Conceptual Energy Analysis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhimRBoaIlQ

CEA Detailed Workflow

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP21/Help/0519-Analyze_519/0618-Conceptu618/0620-

CEA_Deta620

Conceptual Energy Analysis Resources

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP25/Help/0521-Analyze_521/0620-Conceptu620

Best Practices for Conceptual Energy Analysis

Energy Settings

Customizing the Energy Model

Troubleshooting Issues with Conceptual Energy Analysis

Energy Analysis Terminology

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Changing Energy Settings Per Analysis

After the solar analysis, you can see how the sun is affecting the mass and can take some

steps to change the design.

This exercise will cover how to control the energy settings of each surface or space

individually. Through a schedule, you will organize the facades in response to the results

of an analyzed Energy Model. This will enable you to quickly toggle and test different

target glazing ratios, conceptual constructions, and energy settings. These settings

simulate abstract factors that influence the energy model like heat generation, material

properties and insulation.

The aim is to strategically group surfaces that will need similar design solutions like

integrated solar shades or a particular material property (conceptual constructions) by

orientation.

It may become useful to create a schedule to manage all of your façade faces as they may become too complex to pick individually. To do so, start by creating a schedule that contains all of the mass surfaces in it similar to how we created a Mass Zone Schedule. This will enable you to quickly assign different conceptual constructions and target glazing percentages. A spreadsheet format that has direct interrelated connections with the model is a great way to edit program assignments iteratively. You can duplicate the model into a new design option to save your original settings while pursuing alternative options.

Alternatively you can easily change settings from the model directly by using the Tab

button to select each surface. Once selected, go over to the Properties>Setting

Properties. The advantage of creating a schedule, however, comes with managing much

larger amounts of surfaces through filtering them by type, or any other property.

As per the understanding of the Ecotect Solar Radiation Study, you can change the

amount of glazing of the areas that are the most exposed to the sun. You also have the

option to test if they are shaded or not. Since you are working on a per surface basis, you

can individually change all of the southern faces first, reducing the amount of glazing and

enabling shading.

For a full list of the changes made to each design option, open up the Mass Surfaces

Schedule.

Facades By Orientation

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Analyzing the Energy Model

To run a test of the options that have been set up, click Analyze tab > Analyze Energy

Model. This will send the model information to Autodesk's cloud-based service that will in

turn generate an Energy Report. The following topic will discuss how to compare multiple

analyses side by side.

Additional Resources

Comparing Conceptual Energy Analysis Results

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XRx94QFntY

Energy Model Settings

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP25/Help/0521-Analyze_521/0620-Conceptu620/0625-

Energy_S625/0628-Energy_M628

Conceptual Constructions

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP25/Help/0521-Analyze_521/0620-Conceptu620/0625-

Energy_S625/0629-Conceptu629

Create Energy Model

Core Offset

Divide Perimeter Zones

Glazing Is Shaded

Target Percentage Skylights

Skylight Width & Depth

Conceptual Energy Analysis Results and Compare

One of the most exciting features in Autodesk® Project Vasari is the ability to have the

assumptions and results of your Conceptual Energy Model automatically generated in a

well-organized, concise, graphic format. In addition to being able to easily visualize what

parameters are influencing the results the most, there is also the ability to easily compare

multiple Conceptual Energy Model Results. This section will highlight a few of the most

significant comparisons from this study.

Life Cycle Energy Use/Cost

Often comparing the construction cost to the lifecycle cost is an important metric for

balancing environmental design and construction. This table summarizes the estimated

energy usage and cost over the life of the building, assuming a 30-year life span.

Energy Use Intensity

Energy use intensity (EUI) is a per-floor-area unit of measurement that describes a

building’s energy use by area. EUI represents the energy consumed by a building relative

to its size and as such can be informative when comparing options of different sizes.

Electricity EUI refers to source energy use intensity, focusing on electricity required to run

the building. Fuel EUI represents the total amount of raw fuel that is required to operate

the building. Total EUI sums these two and incorporates all transmission, delivery, and

production losses, thereby enabling a complete assessment of energy efficiency.

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Generating a Conceptual Energy Analysis

To use the Conceptual Energy Analysis (CEA) feature, you must sign in to

Autodesk Online Services by clicking Sign In in the top-right corner of the application

frame. This is your Autodesk ID and allows you to sign in to the Labs energy analysis

features. The CEA tool uses information from the Autodesk servers to analyze your model

and generate results.

After preliminary analysis and energy settings at in place, click the Analyze Mass Model

button under Analyze > Energy Analysis. An alert appears in the bottom-right corner once

the analysis is complete, or view the progress by clicking the Results and Compare

button. The left sidebar displays completed analyses and the progress of in-progress

analyses sent to the Autodesk server.

View Results and Compare

You can display multiple analyses for side-by-side comparisons using the Results and

Compare tool. This dialog shows all of your analyses and shows results individually or

side-by-side. Use Ctrl + Click to select multiple analyses for comparing in the same

window. This is a great way to see how explicit changes in the design, whether a material

change, a form change, or something completely different, can influence the cost, energy

consumption, or metrics of the project.

A Note on Accuracy & Detail in CEA

It is relatively easy to analyze your model and get back results, but what is more useful or

interesting is when that data is used to help make particular design decisions. The reality

is that the best option may not always be the lowest energy use or the most efficient, but a

tradeoff between multitudes of conflicting options.

Although the numbers coming from the analysis may become more accurate with more

detail, there is a point of diminishing returns. Don’t overload the model and more

importantly, the results compared are most meaningful only in relation to themselves.

Additional Resources

Conceptual Energy Analysis “Best Practices”

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP25/Help/0521-Analyze_521/0620-Conceptu620/0623-

Best_Pra623

Conceptual Energy Analysis Reference: Details and Assumptions

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP25/Help/0521-Analyze_521/0620-Conceptu620/0663-

Referenc663

Results and Compare

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP25/Help/0521-Analyze_521/0620-Conceptu620/0631-Results_631

Energy Analysis Charts and Tables

Results And Compare, Energy Analysis

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Emailing Energy Analysis Results

Exporting Energy Analysis Results

Energy Analysis Charts and Tables

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Vasari/enu/TP25/Help/0521-Analyze_521/0620-Conceptu620/0631-Results_631/0632-Energy_A632

Mass

Building Performance Factors

Energy Use Intensity

Life Cycle Energy Use and Cost

Renewable Energy Potential

Annual Carbon Emissions

Annual Energy Use/Cost

Energy Use: Fuel

Energy Use: Electricity

Monthly Heating Load

Monthly Cooling Load

Monthly Fuel Consumption

Monthly Electricity Consumption

Monthly Peak Demand

Annual Wind Rose

Monthly Design Data

Annual Temperature Bins

Diurnal Weather Averages

Communicating Analyses: Representation & Graphic Settings

Autodesk® Project Vasari allows you to generate a

building information model and energy model

simultaneously. This lets you not only share your

work with others in file formats that they can use,

but also allows for sophisticated visualization

settings that make your analyses really come to life.

Graphics Display Styles

It is important to be able to clearly communicate

your design and analysis. Project Vasari has a

number of graphic display settings, including the

ability to turn on or off Analysis Display Styles.

Under Manage > Settings is an option for

customizing the visual display settings of the

analysis tools. You can create new, multiple views

and use them for different analyses while

documenting your process. These styles are

available throughout the Project environment, but

not in the Family editor.

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Visibility Graphics

You can use the visibility graphics tool (keyboard shortcut VG) to manage the way in

which any set of objects in your file are displayed. Here you can filter, group, and change

the way Vasari displays your objects in specific sheets, renderings, and in the viewport.

Communicating Your Work: Export PDF, Images, and gbXML

Export images from the analysis and a PDF of the data in the Results and Compare within

the dialog. For visuals of the model at different times of day, solar radiation analysis, or

other results specific to the mass, Export Images and Animations through the Application

menu.

An exported gbXML file contains all of the heating and cooling information for a project

according to the gbXML file structure. GbXML is an available option to communicate with

third-party analysis tools to help leverage information about the model’s energy

consumption characteristics. This functionality enables you to hand off your Conceptual

Energy Model to an energy specialist, for example, while you continue to refine your

design.

Additional Resources

Building Performance Factors

Location

Weather Station

Floor Area

Exterior Wall Area

People

Exterior Window Ratio

Fuel Cost

Reference for Conceptual Energy Analysis

Building Type Data

Occupancy Schedules

Building Operating Schedules

HVAC Systems

Space Type Data

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Visibility and Graphic Display in Project Views

Object Missing

Overriding Visibility and Graphic Display of Individual Elements

Overriding Graphic Display of Element Categories

Removing Graphic Display Overrides for Element Categories

Specifying Element Category Visibility

Applying Transparency to Faces of Model Element Categories

Controlling Visibility and Graphic Display of Elements Using Filters

Hiding Elements in a View

Overriding Individual Lines in an Element

Overriding Host Layers

Troubleshooting View and Visibility Issues

Assessment

After all the modeling, set up, and energy reports in the prior lessons everything is starting

to come together. Take this time to explore and compare different assumptions. Keep

track of the changes you are making by clearly labeling your analyses with the variables

you are changing. Work towards isolating a particular variable to understand how it is

affecting the whole model and build upon that knowledge. Here are some questions you

can now answer with a few clicks of the mouse.

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What if you change all of the glazing ratios to 10%?

In this case, you will most likely see changes in which element is the largest

consumer of energy in the building. Because of the mild San Diego climate,

you are able to use higher target glazing percentages, but by decreasing them,

the amount of solar radiation that penetrates the building’s envelope is

decreased. This means that most of the heat that must be exhausted from the

building will be coming from the occupants. This may reduce the Energy Use

Intensity, save tens of thousands of dollars over the 30 year lifecycle of the

building, but it also means fewer views and may inadvertently create the

necessity to turn on the lights during the day. In this scenario you are getting to

the heart of what performance based design is all about: balancing and

tradeoffs.

How does the conditioning of spaces in different climates affect the annual

energy use? How do conceptual constructions affect energy use also?

Setting the HVAC type for different spaces changes the energy needed to heat

and cool the space over the year. Conceptual constructions are Project

Vasari’s method of adding a performance characteristic to a wall. This accounts

for R-value, and as such the heating energy performance of the building.

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What would be the ideal height for the tower option?

The reason why you used a parametric tower and optional extra buildings was

to see a tradeoff in play. As you increase the tower height, you add more

conditioned space. However, there is a different environmental cost associated

to different program and even adding the same amount of space in a different

program type may change the results. Consider program type as well as

surface area in different design options.

Is EUI or Life Cycle Energy Cost a better metric to use for lowering energy

use?

Similarly to the EUI, looking at one number without context will not give a clear

answer. The second option is cheaper, but also uses more fuel over the life

cycle. How can this be? Fuel is relatively cheap, but also probably comes at the

cost of a higher carbon footprint. Consider which factor is most important to the

project when deciding on final solutions. Skylights may also make a space

more enjoyable, another factor that can be measured by no number.

What is the best way to look at multiple variables at once?

Like any good experiment, it is best to compare only one variable at a time.

These values are also most meaningful relative to themselves. Focus on a few

individual goals and measure specific differences in a similar model.

Monthly GBS Data

Monthly figures can be

Monthly GBS data does not represent the peak loads used for sizing of

equipment. These charts also do not represent loads caused by ventilation air,

which can have a significant impact in densely occupied buildings. To reduce

cooling and heating load in future iterations of your project, you can use the

monthly graphs to identify the critical components to building energy use.

Monthly Fuel Consumption

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Additional Resources

Best Practices

Best Practices for Conceptual Energy Analysis

CEA Detailed Workflow

Conceptual Energy Analysis

Cooling energy breakdown

Heating energy breakdown

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Autodesk Vasari Workshop 2012 Workshop Lesson 6: Ecotect Wind Rose and Wind Tunnel

Lesson 6: Ecotect Wind Rose and Wind Tunnel

Lesson 6 Overview Understanding the prevailing wind patterns of your project site can be useful when it

comes to designing ways to take advantage of natural ventilation or to screen occupants

from uncomfortable windy conditions. The Project Vasari wind tunnel and wind rose tools

allow you to study the local wind conditions and simulate the physical interactions of wind

and your design.

Learning Objectives - Visualizing Wind Direction and Speed

- Wind Tunnel Analysis on Different Towers

Suggested Exercises

Exercise 6.0: Wind Rose Visualization

Exercise File

6-0 Wind_Start.rvt

Video Tutorial

Video 6.0: Wind Rose and Wind Tunnel Visualization

Wind Rose Diagram From Weather Data

The wind rose is a versatile tool for visualizing wind patterns for your specific site. You are

able to limit the analysis period by year, season, month, week or day, allowing you a wide

range of controls depending on what is important to your project.

Begin by ensuring that you are logged into Autodesk Online Services with your Autodesk account in the upper right hand area of the Vasari application frame. This enables Vasari to access wind data from a weather file associated with your site.

The next step would be to ensure that you have your site location set correctly and a weather station assigned. You should pick the weather station that is closest to your site. Next, activate the Ecotect Wind Rose tool, which is located under the Analyze tab.

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The wind rose interface allows you to choose between a number of Google maps underlays. The default mode is set to display yearly average which will allow you to glean the general wind pattern of your site.

To control the analysis period, click on the Advanced time/date selection. On the bottom of the dialog, you will see the interface for narrowing your wind visualization period. Once you have a desired wind rose diagram selected, you can import as a family into the

project by pressing (Send wind rose to BIM project).

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Reading a Wind Rose Diagram

To understand the diagram, you must be able to read three pieces of information simultaneously.

Velocity

Wind speed is indicated by the color of the region on the diagram. The units can be

toggled at the bottom of the dialog box between Knots, Meters/sec and Km/hr.

Unfortunately, there are no settings for imperial units.

Frequency

Each of the rings in the diagram corresponds to a scaled percentage of the analysis time

which the wind is blowing at a certain velocity from that specific direction. The frequency

reading is along the south axis of the diagram and will scale automatically.

Direction

Wind direction can be understood as the direction from which wind is blowing. The

diagram displays direction according to cardinal directions.

Ecotect Wind Tunnel

The Wind Tunnel feature can be used in conjunction with Ecotect Wind Rose analysis to dynamically simulate the impact of wind speed and direction on your projects. This prototype plugin provides a simplified computational fluid dynamics simulation that provides designers and engineers with a virtual wind tunnel to gain an insight on aerodynamic effects early in the design process. Main uses for this tool are:

Exterior Air Flow: 2d and 3d tools provide a highly visual understanding of how air will flow across your building and site.

Pedestrian Comfort: 3D simulations of key airflow circulation paths to provide an indication of the potential impact on pedestrian comfort.

Ventilation Boundary Conditions: 3D simulations of air flow across buildings to estimate the external pressure envelope.

Preliminary wind loading calculations Begin by clicking Analyze tab > Ecotect Wind Tunnel. The wind tunnel tool is a stand-alone module which imports all visible geometry into its analysis environment. If you wish to exclude anything from the wind tunnel analysis, hide it before activating the tool.

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There are two ways of controlling the settings for the wind tunnel, either using the compass which hovers in the modeling environment, or using the sliders and toggles on the bar to the left. Like the wind rose tool, the wind tunnel tool only displays in metric units. Wind Rose

The wind rose associated with your site can be applied to the wind tunnel compass by checking the wind rose box under Model Display. It will display the current wind rose analysis settings, and will update as you change it. 3D Volumetric

The Wind Tunnel Tool can be set to display data “volumetrically” which shows the impact of wind in three dimensions. The 3D functionality has a number of ways to create wind visualizations, all of which can be toggled under Display settings. 3D Axis

Changing the orientation of the analysis plane from horizontal to a vertical setting will allow you to view wind behavior from an elevation perspective. This can be found under 3D Axis in the 2D Grid Slice dropdown box. To modify your model geometry based on the airflow simulation, close the Wind Tunnel feature. Then edit your model(s) in the Vasari modeling environment and then reopen the Wind Tunnel tool to iterate the analysis on your revised model geometry. Only visible geometry will be included in the wind analysis, so ensure that only vital geometry is included, otherwise the simulation performance may be affected. Experiment with the calculations and your conceptual models to optimize potential air flow impact. Setting the 2D and 3D Grid Boundaries

The size and shape of the bounding volume and its relationship with the geometric model can have a significant impact on the calculated air flow. The air flow calculation knows nothing beyond the boundaries of that volume; it is an absolute limit. If you create a grid that is too close to the side of a model, the air will be

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artificially squeezed up against that volume boundary. In reality, that air would have been able to expand much further into the space beyond, but instead it is forced through a small gap that will likely result in a localized area of high pressure and artificially increased air speed. This means that a 2D air flow analysis considers only those parts of the geometry that it actually intersects, and uses only air flow paths that exist within that 2D plane. If any geometry lies slightly outside that plane, both it and its potential turbulence effects are effectively ignored. When the analysis grid extents are properly set up, you can see the difference in results in that it alleviates areas of high pressure which occur between the model masses and the grid boundary.

Additional Resources

Using the Wind Tunnel Feature

Ecotect Wind Tunnel Feature

Known Issues with Wind Tunnel

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Autodesk Vasari Workshop 2012 Workshop Lesson 7: Divided Surfaces

Lesson 7: Divided Surfaces

Lesson 7 Overview Project Vasari can divide a range of surface types (planar, ruled surfaces, revolved

surfaces, and double-curved surfaces) to rationalize the surface into parametric buildable

components. This tool can quickly and easily create a means of applying controllable

patterns and panels to any mass surface.

Learning Objectives - Create various paneling options (UV, floor plates, reference planes) - Applying default patterns and panels

Suggested Exercises Exercise File

7-0 Divided Surface.rvt

7-1 Divided Surface_Twisted Tower

Video Tutorial

Video 7.0: Divided Surfaces

Dividing Surfaces

This exercise discusses the steps necessary to control the way in which surfaces are

subdivided, patterned, and rationalized. The Pattern Based Family loaded into the project

will be instantiated on the selected subdivided surfaces. You can control these surfaces

with a series of parameters that affect the spacing and number of U and V divisions. This

creates different conditions for how the curtain panels will display and perform on the

surfaces we are subdividing per different parts of the project.

For example, one solution may be to drive the amount of glazing in a panel parametrically based on the amount of solar radiation it will receive. The parameters used to drive the number of subdivisions will help enormously to test different panel types, sizes, and orientations.

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Begin by opening the 7-0 Divided Surface.rvt project file.

We are going to be focused on the tower for this

exercise by creating the control surfaces from which a

curtain panel family will be hosted.

Under the Analyze tab> Design Options, ensure that

the correct tower design you wish to focus on is

activated. Once that is done, select the tower and click

Edit Family, from here we can directly edit the attributed of

the tower design. When we are finished, we will load the

newly attributed tower family back into the original project

environment.

When you are inside the tower family, isolate your selection to the vertical walls by holding the control button to multi-select and the tab button to cycle through selection possibilities. Once you have the vertical walls, click Divide Surface on the ribbon.

The UV grid acts as a guide in patterning the surface. Manipulating the divided surface also manipulates the parametrically dependent patterns and components. The vertical walls will be divided according to the default U V spacing. Grid settings are located in the Properties dialog when you select the divided face. Changing the U values will affect the horizontal profiles, where the V values control the vertical profiles. UV lines can be controlled by a fixed Number whereby it will evenly space across the face, or you can choose to control them using a fixed distance, where they will be drawn at every increment which you set. You can control the rotation of the UV grid lines by specifying an angle in the Properties dialog. U and V angles can be controlled together by changing the All Grid Rotation or individually by changing the Grid Rotation under the corresponding U or V Grid controls. Custom UV Grid

You can also divide a surface by using intersecting 3D levels, reference planes, and curves drawn on reference planes. To do this, begin by setting up some reference geometry. In this example, reference planes were used as our intersection geometry. To begin creating your custom UV grid, select the specific face you want to customize and click Intersect. Next is to select the intersection geometry, which in this case are the reference planes. To complete the operation, click Finish.

Set Ref. Planes

Intersect face w/ Ref. Plane

Custom UV Grid

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Applying Default Patterns and Panels

Now that you have your means of controlling your patterns set in place, we can begin to assign some default patterns and panels to the surface. Select the face(s) which you want to apply patterns to and select the pattern drop-down menu in the Properties dialog on the left.

Now that you have a pattern applied to the surface, make sure to test that the grid and pattern updates to changes you make in geometry.

Additional Resources

Rationalizing Surfaces

Patterning Surfaces

Understanding UV Grids

Editing the Patterned Surface

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Autodesk Vasari Workshop 2012 Workshop Lesson 8: Pattern Based Families

Lesson 8: Pattern Based Families

Lesson 8 Overview Now that you have established a framework for surface rationalization, you can begin to

get creative with what you choose to host to it. The default patterns tend to be simplistic

and may not accurately represent your project ambitions in the way you imagined. Luckily,

you are able to create custom parametric curtain wall family panels which will conform

themselves to the grid of your divided surface.

Learning Objectives - Create custom curtain wall families - Instantiate your custom panel to your surface grid

Suggested Exercises Exercise File

8-0 Divided Surface.rvt

Video Tutorial

Video 8.0: Paneling

Curtain Wall Family

Begin this section by creating a new family. You will be prompted to choose between 3 choices of family templates. For this exercise, choose Curtain Panel Pattern Based. This will open a template with reference lines and reference points which you can use to create your panel. Pattern Grid

The underlying grid can be changed by selecting it, and changing the pattern type in the properties dialog drop down menu on the left. These provide the ability to make a panel based on a predefined pattern. For this exercise, we will choose the Hexagon pattern as the basis of our panel construction. We will be creating a simple frame with parameters to control the patterning uniformly across our system as well as locally on a frame by frame basis.

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Building Your Panel

Start by placing a point anywhere on the reference profile of the hexagon. Next, draw a reference rectangle which is hosted to the point you just created. Ensure that you have the reference plane set correctly to the point. To be able to have control of the frame size, dimension your hosted rectangle.

After you dimension the rectangle, select each of the dimensions and assign a relevant “height/width” parameter to be able to vary its size in the project environment. The next step is to sweep the rectangle about the hexagon to generate the form of the frame. To do this, multi select the hexagon and the rectangle and click the Create Form.

Finish the panel by creating a glazing infill using the inner edge as a boundary. You can either draw a new boundary along the inner edge of the frame or you can multi-select the existing edge. Either way, once finished, click Make Form to generate the glazing panel. You can edit the material by clicking the panel and changing the material type in the properties dialogue box on the left. Once you have made it to this point, you should check to see if your panel functions correctly. Select the underlying grid and alter the dimensions on the left. If all is well with your panel system, it should have updated along with the grid dimensions.

Loading a Family

When you have finished testing your panel, you can load it into a project to be applied to your divided surface. For this example, we will be using the twisted tower example called “8-1 Divided Surface_ Tower.RFA”. Make sure this file, or another file is open for you to load this family into. When ready, click Load Into Project. If prompted, select the project which you want this family to be loaded into.

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Assigning Custom Pattern Families

In the tower family, select the divided surfaces which you intend to apply your custom pattern to. In the upper left of your screen click the pattern selection dropdown and scroll until you find the family which you loaded. Note

Applying this family to a doubly curved surface will cause it to break as it cannot reconcile the glass infill panel to the surface geometry. Use this panel family only with non-compound curves, or go into the family and delete the glass.

To alter the parameters of your panel, you can either double click on the family in the project browser and change values there or go back into the panel family and alter the parameters directly. By creating and assigning a Type parameter, you can control your panel form globally, by making it an instance parameter, you edit their values locally.

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Autodesk Vasari Workshop 2012 Workshop Lesson 9: Adaptive Components

Lesson 9: Adaptive Components

Lesson 9 Overview

The Adaptive Component functionality in Project Vasari is intended to work in conjunction

with the pattern-based curtain panel tool. This functionality is designed to handle cases

where components require more flexibility to adapt to many unique contextual conditions.

For example, adaptive components could be used in repeating systems generated by

arraying multiple components that conform to user-defined constraints. Adaptive

components can also be useful for filling in end panels which the pattern based panels are

unable to create.

Learning Objectives - Adding more control over custom panels - Quantity extraction, material takeoffs

Suggested Exercises Exercise File

9-0 Adaptive Components.rfa

Video Tutorial

Video 9.0: Adaptive Components

Adaptive Components

You may have noticed in the previous section that the edges of the pattern-based panel façade we created automatically cleaned up its edges, though it did not resolve the edge conditions correctly, it merely chops the edges. In this section we will be taking a look at ways to deal with these types of issues which require a bit more flexibility and custom input from the user to resolve these unique contextual situations.

Start by opening the “9-0 Adaptive Components.rfa” project file.

which will act as the host for our adaptive component. Then click New >Family, to open

an “adaptive component” template.

Placing Points

Place 3 points in the modeling environment, location is not important for this step. These points will be our adaptive component reference points, from which the flexible panel will be created.

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Adaptive Points

Next step is to make these points “Adaptive.” To do this, select the points and click Make Adaptive on the ribbon. The Make Adaptive command only displays when you have points selected. The order in which you create the points is important as this will dictate the order in which you must place them in the project environment. Once you have made your points adaptive, you will see the ordering by which you created the points displayed above them. The framework of this panel will be created using reference lines. Make sure to have 3D snapping turned on and the Make Surface from Closed Loops option turned off.

Similarly to the section on custom pattern based families, place a point on one of the lines from which you will create a hosted rectangle. Make sure to set the reference plane to the point before you make the rectangle. Add dimensions to the rectangle for both the depth and width. Next, parameterizing both dimensions to control each panel attribute and create the frame by sweeping the rectangle along the reference lines using Create Form. Finish the panel by creating the glazing panel in the center either by multi-selecting the boundary or drawing in new reference lines and assigning a glass material. Now you can test your rig by selecting one of the points and dragging. You should see everything update in response to the change in location on the reference point, as they are the reference to which everything is built upon. When you are satisfied that everything is working as intended, load it into “9.0 Adaptive Components_Start”. Placing Panels

Before you begin placing the panel, we need to change a few settings. First, select the divided panel surfaces and ensure that the Border Tile setting is set to Empty. When set to Empty, Vasari will not create partial panels and trim them at the edges. This is not the job of the adaptive component you just created.

Next, we need to turn node points on for reference when placing the adaptive panel. Node points show the boundary conditions of the panels. To activate this, select an individual divided surface (one at a time for this step) and activate the Surface display mode in the upper right of the ribbon.

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The next step requires a bit of blind faith, as the button to activate the nodes is not directly visible. With the divided surface selected and surface display activated, hover your mouse over the bottom right corner of the Surface Representations panel. A small button will display.

When you click this button, a Surface Representation dialog displays. Click Surfaces tab, select the Nodes check box and press OK. Now that you have everything prepared, we begin to place some panels. You can find your loaded adaptive panel in the project browser under generic families. When you have this located, drag and drop it into the project, this will begin the placement process which consists of locating the host points of the panel on the pattern based family surface. Make sure to click on the node points as the host points. This process is made easier if done from the back of the surface as the pattern based family is also hosted here as well and might be obscuring the node points.

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Depending on if you clicked in the correct order (clockwise vs. counter clockwise) your panel may have been hosted behind the surface as opposed to on top of it with the pattern based family. Instead of deleting the panel, you can select the panel and select the Flip check box in the Properties dialog. This option flips the directionality associated with this panel. NOTE:

It is important to note that our adaptive component does not have a relationship to our existing curtain panel component, so if you were to change the one, it will not affect the other. You will need to make sure to manage both systems independently of one another.

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Additional Resources

Adaptive Placement Points

Adaptive Components

Stitching Borders of Divided Surfaces