Shadow analysis within ECOTECT is both quick and very simple to achieve, for any time of day or location on Earth.

Display the position and path of the sun relative to the model at any date, time or location - or monthly paths over the entire year.

Similarly, you can display shadows over the model at any date and time -- or overlay shadows from a range of different times.

You can isolate the shadows from only selected objects in the model, either dynamically at the current time or over a range of times.

You can even assign zones their own specific shadow colours in order to differentiate the effects of indivdual objects or entire buildings.

Isolating objects in this way also allows you to display only the additional shadow contributed by a new development, for example.

Viewed from inside your model, you can easily see how sun patches enter through windows and move around within your spaces.

Cutting a section through your building allows you to observe detailed internal sun-penetration patterns at any date and time.

Sections can be cut in any direction and moved about dynamically.

Reflection Analysis

You can tag objects in the model as solar reflectors and not only track the movement of reflections across the site, but use the sun-path diagram to see exactly when over the year any point is affected.

INTERACTIVE Visualisation

OpenGL visualisation features allow you to generate full rendered views (including shadows) in real-time. You are also able to interactively move about the model and animate date / time changes.

Fully interactive and real-time shadow generation.

Sun-Path Diagrams

ECOTECT can also automatically generate sun-path diagrams to show overshadowing periods for the entire year at any point within a model. A wide range of projection methods are provided including spherical, equidistant, stereographic, the BRE-style sun-path indicator, orthographic and Waldram diagrams.

Full range of sun-path projections available; spherical, stereographic, equidistant, BRE, orthographic, waldram and tabulated data.

Shading Tables

Shading on sun-path diagrams can show both zone shadow colours and transparency effects. When considering surfaces, it is also possible to calculate shading tables to show partial shading effects and instantaneous shading percentage. These tables can then be used to derive vertical daylight factors and diffuse radiation shading coefficients.

Can calculate partial shading effects or shading percentage.

Interactive Daily and Annual Sun-Paths

These display the position of the sun in the sky relative to the model. Simply click and drag the sun to change the time and date. This allows you to quickly discern problem times and angles.

Interactive daily...

...and annual sun-paths.

In order to better appreciate the changing position of the sun throughout the whole year for any location, ECOTECT allows you to display the annual sun path over the current model.