Page 1099 - Chief Architect Reference Manual

Sun Angles and Shadows

information allows the program to determine
the sun’s location in the sky and generate
sunlight and sun shadows with accuracy.

Note: Sun Angle calculations do not adjust for
elevation. They are based on formulas pub-
lished by the United States Naval Observa-
tory and have limited accuracy as
documented by the USNO.

The same line’s angle is set to show Bearings, When an exterior 3D view is rendered, the
which reference the North Pointer. program looks for an active Sun Angle. If it
finds none, the Generic Sun is used. See
• If angles are set to show as Degrees, the “Generic Sunlight” on page 1091.
angle relates to 0° (horizontal to the right)
even if a North Pointer is present. To create a Sun Angle

1. In floor plan view, go to Floor 1 or Floor
0. Sun Angles can only be created on
these floor levels. See “Multiple Floors”
on page 713.

2. Select CAD> Lines> Sun Angle
and click in the drawing area to place a
Sun Angle arrow at that location.
3. In the Sun Angle Specification dialog,
Line angle shown in degrees. This specify the Sun Angle’s Earth Data and
does not reference the North Pointer.
other information. See “Sun Angle
Specification Dialog” on page 1101.
A North Pointer can be selected and edited
using its edit handles and edit toolbar 4. After it is created, a Sun Angle cannot
buttons. All attributes of the N aside from its be rotated; but it can be moved as well
size are drawn from the Text Style assigned as resized using its edit handles. Shad-
to the layer it is are placed on. For more ows are not affected.
information, see “Editing Line Based Multiple Sun Angles can be created, each
Objects” on page 217.
with different specifications; however, only
one can be used as a light source in a given
Sun Angles 3D view. If more than one Sun Angle is
Sun Angles let you establish exactly present, specify the one to use in the current
where your plan’s building site is view in the Adjust Sunlight dialog. See
located, and a precise date and time. This “Adjust Sunlight Dialog” on page 1104.

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