[Plugin] Chronolux for Sketchup

[kirill2008]

Link to download Chronolux installer for Windows chronolux_1_1_beta.exe
Link to download zip archive chronolux_1_1_beta.zip

Description: Extension for Google Sketchup written on Ruby. Its goal is to test insolation duration and SVF.

Usage:
1) install the program using installer or unpack files from zip-file:
- "chronolux_ext.rb" and "Chronolux" folder unpack to Google Sketchup "Plugins" folder
- "chronolux.strings" and "chronolux" folder from "Resources/en-US" unpack to Google Sketchup "Resources/en-US" forlder
2) enable "LSS Chronolux Toolbar" Sketchup Main Menu>>View>>Toolbars>> LSS Chronolux Toolbar
3) open a Sketchup model, where insolation and/or SVF testing is to be made (model has to be geo-located)
3) add some test points to perform insolation and/or SVF testing

ver. 1.0. video:


Visit program web-site for more info.

Terms and Definitions
Duration of Insolation at a given point is the time period while direct sunlight reaches the test point.
Insolation is the solar radiation that reaches the earth's surface. It is measured by the amount of solar energy received per square centimetre per minute. (Note, that Chronolux does not calculate insolation, but only its duration).
SVF (sky view factor) is the extent of sky observed from a point as a proportion of the total possible sky hemisphere. (A Dictionary of Earth Sciences | 1999 | AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY).
WVF (window view factor) is the extent of sky observed from a point as a proportion of the total possibly observable sky from a point through a window (despite of shadowing objects outside the window).

ver 1.0 beta 1
fixes
- resource file (chronolux.strings) has a proper syntax now
- some patches were added in code to avoid encoding issues in localized versions

ver 1.1 beta
New features:
- Interactive Resize Tool
- Pick Test Surface Tool
- Pick Window Face Tool

Updates:
- Global Settings dialog
- Time Settings dialog

Fixes:
- Refresh command works properly even if test points were added inside a group
- Report maker generates report without duplicating information about SVF and WVF

ver. 1.1 video

[watkins]

Dear Kirill,

The video link doesn't seem to be working when viewed here, but works if you go to your website.

This looks to be a very useful plugin for building design and the positioning of renewable energy systems. I will watch its development with interest.

Thank you for all your hard work.
Kind regards,
Bob

[Didier Bur]

ThaaaaAAAAAAAnnnnnNNNNk You !

[toto ete]

thanks kirill

[mitcorb]

Hi, kirill:
Long time, no see

[pilou]

Fiat lux!

[mitcorb]

Hi, Pilou:
Long time, no see you, either.

[pilou]

@Mitcorb
I have made some translations for the French Section !
Next will be the "Doh Tread"!
In French "Aaaaaaaaaahhhh bon sang, mais c'est bien sûr!" (not yet started : sure next week!

[kirill2008]

Hi to all! Thanks for kind words! It's so great to be here again!

Did anyone try to install? Or demo video is the only reason to thank at the moment
I use free installer for Windows programs Inno Setup. It works well on my laptop I'm going to test it tomorrow at work as well (yes, the whole thing is not tested yet too...).

[notareal]

Wow! Welcome back, kirill!

[boofredlay]

All I get is "Invalid Parameters" when trying to view the video.

[TIG]

All I get is "Invalid Parameters" when trying to view the video.

I edited his video tag so it now works

[boofredlay]

Cheers TIG.

[baz]

'SVF and Insolation'.
I would like to learn more about this, I've done a google on the terms above but I can't find out what they mean, any pointers?
Ta, baz

[Panga]

Awesome tools !! Thanks a lot!!

[Pixero]

Is there any way it can take transparent materials in account?
In my tests it acts as if a glass surface is opac.

[kirill2008]

Is there any way it can take transparent materials in account?

Yes it is possible. It's necessary to set "Handle transparency" flag in "Global Settings" dialog to "Yes". It is also necessary to pay attention to "Transparency threshold" value.

handle transp.png

This flag is set to "No" by default because it takes a little bit more time to handle transparency so when it's set to "Yes" it slows down script processing.

[Edson]

have you tested it on mac? perhaps all one has todo for it to run on mac is to perform a manual installation. if this is the case, could you please instruct us on how to make a manual installation? should I place the whole thing in my plugins folder?

[driven]

should I place the whole thing in my plugins folder?

NO...

the manual installation requires placing different folders in different locations.

the 'Help' button in tools won't work from inside SU so I suggest you 'first' open the 'Help Pages' in safari to check if you want to instal it.

to do this 'unzip' Chronolux 1_0 beta.zip and you'll have a new folder Chronolux 1_0 beta,
follow the path to Chronolux 1_0 beta/Resources/en-US/chronolux/index.html and double click to open in Safari.

If you still want to instal manually he's a pic of the paths...

Chronolux_path_to_tools.png

Chronolux_path_to_strings.png

I haven't tested the whole thing yet, but you do need to turn on the toolbar in 'View' >> 'Tool Palates'
john

[Edson]

thanks, john. it seems easy enough o install. I will give it a try soon.

[mirale999]

Wonderful thing! This is a good plugin for me to decide the shape of a building intuitively

"Test face results presenting" can give us one more choice: Pseudo-color map, like that in ecotect,
and in qpik's plugin: simple rays, the ray casting is more even and smooth. I think with this great plugin, we can get rid of the ecotect! haha~

[kirill2008]

we can get rid of the ecotect! haha~

Well, actually solar radiation studies is not the only merit of ecotect but thanks anyway

[urgen]

....супер!

[georglorenz]

This is incredible. This is unbelievable awesome. I was amazed by simple rays but now years after. And working with Revit all the time. This is incredible.

[georglorenz]

Ok this is really interesting and the user interface is just great.

I do understand that it calculates the shading from a specific test point but could you elaborate a little bit on the difference between short rays and long rays and what exactly they do?

Thank you so much / gxl

[georglorenz]

Oh and then there are construction points and test points? I understand test points but what are construction points? Thank you / gxl

[EarthMover]

Kirill, looks amazing. I am also trying to find a sketchup plugin method which will chart sun path and perform a reflection/glare study. I need it for solar panel applications to determine the amount of glare produced based on the angle of the panels per geolocation and it's affect on neighboring buildings in a given radius. I was wondering if something like this could be adapted from the tools you have created here, with a similar raytrace, but charting also a single light bounce for a visual representation? Or, if anyone is aware a software/plugin on the market that will accomplish this?

[kirill2008]

Oh and then there are construction points and test points? I understand test points but what are construction points?

Well it is possible to place construction points using Sketchup "Tape Measure" tool instead of placing test points using Chronolux "Add Test Point..." tool. Then it is possible to select construction points and process all of them at once using "Make Ray Cluster(s)" or "Calculate SVF" commands. So it's just an optional usage scenario.
I think it could be more convenient sometimes to use construction points for some reason.

I do understand that it calculates the shading from a specific test point but could you elaborate a little bit on the difference between short rays and long rays and what exactly they do?

Short rays and long rays are only for graphical representation of calculation results. It is possible to adjust their length if it is necessary for drawing layout.

I am also trying to find a sketchup plugin method which will chart sun path and perform a reflection/glare study.

Adam, I think, it is possible to implement. I think, I need to read somewhere about how to calculate reflection/glare amount and then think of how to represent calculation results. I suspect, that glare amount depends on direct sunlight duration, but I don't know how exactly. I'm not sure but I guess the other thing, that glare amount depends on, is an angle between sunlight direction and panel plane. In short it is necessary to search for some additional information on this subject.

[boilingsnow]

Hi,kirill2008
Thank you for your wonderful tools.
Just as brilliant as your earlier plugins such as ControlPoints...
It's sad that most of your earlier plugins dont work in Sketchup 8....Could you please update them? I would pay for these great tools.

[kirill2008]

It's sad that most of your earlier plugins dont work in Sketchup 8....Could you please update them?

Yes, I'm going to update "LSS Toolbar", but I don't know exactly when. I'll try to make it in the coming months.