Synopsis
This Ecotect tutorial explains how to highlight shadows from particular objects in a different colour.
Duration
You will need about 5 minutes to complete this tutorial.
Training and Accreditation
Successfully completing this tutorial fulfills one of the practical skills required for completing Level 2 of the Shadows and Reflections training module.
Resources Required
To complete this tutorial, you will need access to the following files located in the Examples folder of your Ecotect installation :
- DenhamResearchStation.eco
Tutorial
By default all shadows in the 3D Editor and Visualise canvasses are drawn in the Shadow Colour and Sun Patch Colour as specified in the User Preferences dialogue. However, sometimes it can be useful to highlight the shadows of a particular zone in a different colour, especially for visual analysis purposes.
- Open the DenhamResearchStation.eco file located in the Examples folder of your Ecotect installation.
- Turn on shadows in the model. These will be in the default colour as defined in the Ecotect user preferences dialogue. In this image, the shadows being displayed are for 12.00 noon on the 21st June in Carnarvon, Australia.
The DenhamResearchStation Ecotect model, with shadows displayed for the Winter Solstice at noon. - Click on the zone management
tab to display a list of the current zones in the model. Right-click on the zone named Staff and select the Zone Properties... option.
- The following dialogue box appears, being the settings for the Staff zone. Click on the Shadow Colour button and in the dialogue box that appears, select a contrasting colour to the default shadow colour, then click Ok. Also, make sure the Highlight shadows from this zone is checked.
Configure the settings for the Staff zone as shown. - Click Ok. The shadows of the Staff zone are now displayed in the selected highlight colour.
The shadows of the Staff zone are displayed in the selected highlight colour. - To reset the shadows for the selected zone, navigate back into the Zone properties, and uncheck the Highlight shadows from this zone option.