Synopsis

This tutorial explains the steps required to import RADIANCE calculation data back into ECOTECT, so that it can be displayed using the analysis grid, both automatically and manually.

Duration

You will need about 15 minutes to complete this tutorial.

Training and Accreditation

Successfully completing this tutorial fulfills one of the practical skills required for completing Level 3 of the Daylighting training package.

Resources Required

To complete this tutorial, you should first familiarise yourself with the RADIANCE Daylight Analysis tutorials. You also need to be able to setup an analysis grid - this tutorial can be used as a guide.

Tutorial

Automatically importing RADIANCE calculation data into ECOTECT

1. In order to import RADIANCE data back into ECOTECT, you first need to setup an analysis grid for the displaying the RADIANCE data. In this example, we have configured the analysis grid to cover the entire floor area of the zone, at a height of 700mm above floor level.
   

   Setup the analysis grid as required.
2. Go through the steps for generating a RADIANCE rendered image from an ECOTECT model. However, when you get to the wizard summary screen, make sure the following additional settings are configured :
   

   Configure these additional settings on the summary page of the RADIANCE analysis wizard.
   The Generate Point Data checkbox ensures that RADIANCE creates an additional data output file containing the required data, while the Current 2D analysis grid radio option maps these data values to the analysis grid configured in the previous step. Click Ok to proceed.
3. ECOTECT then launches the RADIANCE, which begins the calculation and rendering process. In the command prompt dialogue box, you will see an additional warning message :
   

   The RADIANCE command prompt dialogue box.
   So go and make yourself a cup of tea!
4. When the RADIANCE calculations are complete, you will be returned to ECOTECT, and the following dialogue box will appear :
   

   Click OK to proceed with the RADIANCE data import.
   Click Ok to proceed.
5. The Analysis Grid Management dialogue box appears. Generally, you won't need to make any changes to this, so just click Ok.
   

   Just click OK for this dialogue box.
   Click Ok to proceed. In the 3D Editor, you will now see the RADIANCE calculation data displayed over the analysis grid - in this particular example, we have used Illuminance, but this could be configured accordingly to display Luminance, Daylight Factor or Sky Component values.
   

   The RADIANCE data points are imported and displayed over the ECOTECT analysis grid.

Manually importing RADIANCE calculation data into ECOTECT

In the event that you have to import the RADIANCE calculation data into ECOTECT manually, the process is relatively straight forward.

1. Whenever you generate a rendered image using RADIANCE and specify for point data to be generated, an additional file is created that contains the point data values for the final image. This is located in the output folder you specified in the ECOTECT Radiance Analysis wizard.
   

   The RADIANCE output location is specified on the summary page of the RADIANCE analysis wizard.
2. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to this folder location. The particular file we are interested in is the XXX.ok file, where XXX will be the same as the name given to the .RAD file. Once you have located this file, remember where it is located, and then go back to the ECOTECT application.
   

   Use Windows Explorer to locate the RADIANCE XXX.ok data file.
3. Open the ECOTECT file that was used to output the RADIANCE rendered image. Go to the Analysis Grid panel, and click the Grid Management button.
4. This displays the Analysis Grid Management dialogue box. Click on the Manage Grid Data tab, followed by the Import Data button.
   

   Click the Import Data button under the Manage Grid Data tab.
5. This opens the Import Grid Data dialogue box. Change the Files of type field to look for Radiance Point Value Data (*.DAT) files, and then navigate to the folder where the data file can be found. Select the file you identified previously, and then click the Open button.
   

   Describe the image.
6. In the table, you will see a new row entry for the RADIANCE data being imported from the selected file, along with the units or measurement.
   

   The RADIANCE point data is loaded into the analysis grid.
7. 
   Click Done and you will be returned to the 3D Editor window, where you will see the RADIANCE data displayed over the analysis grid, as before. Also, in the Grid Data & Scale section of the Analysis Grid panel, you will see an entry for the type of RADIANCE data being displayed.

Tips

• When using the analysis grid to import and export data from an external application such as RADIANCE, it is important to note that the grid dimensions must be the same for both the import and export process. Otherwise, this can lead to anomalous values being displayed on the analysis grid.
• When automatically importing the RADIANCE data back into ECOTECT, the RADIANCE image viewer should still be open in another background window, should you need to perform any post-processing upon this image.