Creating a sun path in SketchUp can be a useful way to understand how natural light will affect your design. By visualizing the path of the sun throughout the day, you can optimize your building’s orientation and placement of windows to maximize daylight and minimize energy consumption.
In this tutorial, we will explore how to create a sun path in SketchUp.
Step 1: Set up your model
Before we begin, make sure you have a SketchUp model that represents the site or building you want to analyze. This could be an existing model or one that you create specifically for this purpose.
Step 1.1: Geolocation
In order to accurately simulate the sun’s path, we need to set the correct geolocation for our model. To do this, go to Window > Model Info. In the Model Info window, select Geo-location from the sidebar on the left.
Note: If your model is not yet geo-located, click on Add Location.. and search for your desired location using an address or coordinates. Once you’ve found it, click on Select Region, adjust the capture area if necessary, and click Grab.
Step 1.2: Time and Date
To set up the time and date for our sun path analysis, go to Window > Shadows. In the Shadows window, make sure that the “Use Sun for Shading” option is checked.
Note: You can adjust the date and time by dragging the slider or manually entering specific values. For accurate results, ensure that both your geolocation and time settings are correct.
Step 2: Enable the Sun Path
Now that we have our model set up, let’s enable the sun path feature in SketchUp. To do this, go to View > Toolbars.
In the Toolbars window, check the box next to Solar North. This will add a new toolbar to your SketchUp interface.
Step 3: Create the Sun Path
With the sun path feature enabled, we can now create our sun path. Click on the Solar North toolbar and select Create New Scene. This will save a snapshot of your current view as a new scene.
Note: It’s a good practice to rename this scene to something like “Sun Path” for easier identification later on.
Step 4: Animate the Sun Path
To visualize how the sun moves throughout the day, we can animate our sun path scene. Right-click on your “Sun Path” scene in the Scenes window (go to Window > Scenes) and select Show Scene Animation Settings.
In the animation settings window, adjust the duration and number of frames according to your preference. Click on Play Animation to see how the sun moves along its path.
Tips:
- Use Layers: To better understand how shadows fall on different parts of your model, consider placing different elements on separate layers. This way, you can easily toggle their visibility and focus on specific areas.
- Analyze Shadow Overlays: SketchUp provides shadow overlays that can help you analyze how shadows affect your model at different times of the day or year. Experiment with different settings to gain a deeper understanding of your design’s solar performance.
By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can create a sun path in SketchUp and gain valuable insights into the natural lighting conditions of your design. Understanding the sun’s path can inform decisions regarding orientation, window placement, and shading strategies, ultimately leading to more energy-efficient and comfortable spaces.