The first window in the Solar Tool contains a Sun-Path Diagram which displays the passage of the Sun over the year as well as patterns of overshadowing caused by shading devices on the 3D model.
It has a LOCATION PANEL that allows you to set the date, time and location as well as a SUN-PATH PANEL allowing you to control the main overshadowing display.
Changing Date and Time
You can change the date and time by simply clicking and dragging with the left mouse button in the sun-path display. As the sun-path diagram shows the position of the sun throughout the year, the exact position where you release the mouse cursor determines the date/time you choose.
Locking the Current Day
Whilst dragging with the left mouse button, you can restrict the changes only to hours in the current day by holding down the Control Key.
Locking the Current Hour
Whilst dragging with the left mouse button, you can restrict the changes only to the day of the year at the current hour by holding down the Shift Key.
Keyboard Shortcuts
You can use the Left and Right Arrow Keys to change the hour of the day, and the PageUp/PageDn keys to change the day of the year.
Changing the View
You can pan and zoom the sun-path diagram by clicking and dragging it with the right mouse button. If, as you are doing this, you look in the Status Bar at the bottom of the window, instructions are provided on using keyboard modifiers to control the view.
Panning
You can pan the view by simply clicking and dragging with the right mouse button with no keyboard modifiers. If you have the appropriate mouse, clicking and dragging with the middle mouse button also pans the view. You can also use the Shift/Control + Arrow Keys when the sun-path window has the input focus. When doing this, the Shift and Control keys modify the amount of pan in each direction.
Zooming
Holding down the Shift key whilst dragging with the right mouse button allows you to zoom in and out. This is done by moving the mouse up/down or right/left. If you have a mouse wheel, you can use this to zoom in and out also.
The Sun-Path Context Menu
A quick right-click and release without moving the mouse displays the Sun-Path Menu. You can use this to choose commonly-used settings.