Component Modeller User Guide

<Virtual Environment> 6.0

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Contents
1.

Introduction.......................................................................................................3
1.1.
1.2.

2.

What is the Component Modeller?....................................................................................... 3

Using This Guide.................................................................................................................. 3

Fundamentals ...................................................................................................4
2.1.
Projects ................................................................................................................................ 4
2.2.
The Component Modeller Workspace ................................................................................. 5
2.2.1.
Pull-down Menu Bar .................................................................................................... 5
2.2.2.
Model Toolbar.............................................................................................................. 5
2.2.3.
Edit Toolbar ................................................................................................................. 6
2.2.4.
Viewport....................................................................................................................... 6
2.2.5.
View Toolbar................................................................................................................ 6
2.2.6.
Object Bar.................................................................................................................... 7
2.3.
Levels of Decomposition ...................................................................................................... 7
2.4.
Toolbars ............................................................................................................................... 7
2.4.1.
Model Toolbar.............................................................................................................. 7
2.4.2.
Edit Toolbar ................................................................................................................. 8
2.5.
Object Bar ............................................................................................................................ 8
2.6.
Component Browser .......................................................................................................... 10
2.6.1.
Create New Component ............................................................................................ 10
2.6.2.
Copy Component....................................................................................................... 11
2.6.3.
Remove Component.................................................................................................. 11
2.6.4.
Add Component From Library ................................................................................... 12
2.6.5.
Properties .................................................................................................................. 12

3.

Model Functions .............................................................................................14

3.1.
3.2.
3.3.
3.4.
3.5.
3.6.
3.7.
3.8.
3.9.

4.

Edit Functions.................................................................................................21
4.1.
4.2.

5.
6.

Divide Space ...................................................................................................................... 21

Edit Vertices ....................................................................................................................... 22

View Functions ...............................................................................................22

File Functions .................................................................................................23
6.1.
6.2.

7.

Draw Extruded Shape ........................................................................................................ 14

Draw Plane......................................................................................................................... 15
Draw Prism......................................................................................................................... 15
Draw Pyramid..................................................................................................................... 16
Draw Sphere ...................................................................................................................... 17
Draw Hemisphere............................................................................................................... 18
Draw Cylinder..................................................................................................................... 19
Component Handle ............................................................................................................ 19
Component Viewer............................................................................................................. 20

Import GEM File ................................................................................................................. 23

Export GEM File ................................................................................................................. 23

Component Libraries......................................................................................23

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1. Introduction
1.1. What is the Component Modeller?
The Component Modeller is a model building element in the <Virtual
Environment>. It allows the user to create a library of components which can
then be placed within the model. Components are geometrical entities and can
be used to model things such as desks, chairs, computers, etc. These can then
be placed in the model by ModelIT. The Component Modeller uses many of the
same drawing and editing tools that are used in ModelIT.
Components can be created by the Component Modeller, imported from a
standard library or from another project. IES provide a number of libraries with
commonly used components. At present the defined colours (RGB) of the
objects within a component are read into Radiance.

1.2. Using This Guide

This guide introduces the terminology used to describe the Component
Modeller and includes a description of all the features i.e. toolbars, pull-down
menu items and pop-up windows.
This document is intended as a Reference Manual and users may find the
Component Modeller Tutorial Manual an easier introduction to running the
software.

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2. Fundamentals
2.1. Projects
When the <Virtual Environment> is started up a blank project is initialised and
the ModelIT workspace is activated. To enter the Component Modeller click
on the CompLib button in the ModelBuilder tab. This can be activated at any
point in the creation/editing of the model. For more details of
creating/opening/saving projects see the document General Help Topics
section 3.

The viewport area may be white, with the grid in black, or in any other colour of
the users choice.

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2.2. The Component Modeller Workspace

The sub-window you are now looking at is the Component Modeller
workspace.

The workspace is divided as follows:

2.2.1. Pull-down Menu Bar
This provides an alternative method of accessing the functions available on the
various toolbars.

2.2.2. Model Toolbar

This contains functions mainly associated with creating components.

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2.2.3. Edit Toolbar

This contains functions mainly associated with editing components.

2.2.4. Viewport

The viewport window can also be used to show two or four viewports, see the
ModelIT documentation for more information.
2.2.5. View Toolbar
This contains functions mainly associated with viewing models. For more
information on this tool bar please refer to General help topics user guide
section 2.3.4.

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2.2.6. Object Bar

This contains information associated with the current object.

The Object Bar and toolbars can be switched on/off and the viewport options
selected from the View pull-down menu. Please refer to ModelIT user guide
section 2.4 for more information.

2.3. Levels of Decomposition

This works in a similar but more restricted way to what is available in ModelIT.
Please refer to ModelIT user guide section 2.6 for more information.

2.4. Toolbars
The toolbars save you time by enabling you to select some of the most
frequently used commands, without having to select them from the pull-down
menus at the top of the ModelIT window. Each toolbar is described below from
left to right.
2.4.1. Model Toolbar

Colour
Grid Settings
Grid Origin
Locks
Draw Arc
Draw Extruded Shape
Plane
Draw Prism
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Draw Pyramid
Draw Sphere
Draw Hemisphere
Draw Cylinder
Component Handle
Component Viewer

2.4.2. Edit Toolbar

Key-in Field
Undo
Redo
Select Object
Measure Length
Measure Angle
Query Co-ordinates
Copy Selection Set
Move Selection Set
Scale Selection Set
Rotate Selection Set
Mirror Selection Set
Refresh Display
Delete

2.5. Object Bar

At the Component level the object bar displays details of the component that is
selected:

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The "Component Name" can be edited by double clicking on the field.

At the Body level the object bar displays details of the selected object:

The Colour can be edited by double clicking on the field.

At the Surface level the object bar displays adjacency details of the selected
surface:

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2.6. Component Browser

When the Component Modeller is entered for the first time a default component
is created with no geometry as yet:

The four functions available are:

Create New Component
Copy Component
Remove Component
Add Component from Library
2.6.1. Create New Component

When this button is clicked a new component is created:

Note that this new component also has the default name Component, it is
advisable to change this to a more meaningful name.

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2.6.2. Copy Component

When this button is clicked a copy is made of the current component:

This is useful where minor variations of a component are required e.g. the same
component with different colours applied. Again it is important to change the name of
the component to fit its definition and avoid confusion.

2.6.3. Remove Component

This will delete the current component from the library. A warning message is
displayed:

Note that the last component cannot be deleted i.e. the library must contain at least
one component.

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2.6.4. Add Component From Library

This is probably the most useful of the options. It allows the user to get an existing
component from another model or from a standard library. The following window is
popped-up:

By clicking the File button the user can browse to find an existing component
library. Components can be selected and added to the current component library.

Components can be customised to the requirements of the current model, either by

changing the geometry or by editing the colours.

2.6.5. Properties
If you right click a component in the Component Browser and select Properties you
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can change the name and Category of the component.

Standard means the component can be placed in ModelIt using the Place
Component button.
CFD means the component can be used in CFD analysis.
Opening adds the component to the Add Opening dialog that is displayed in ModelIT
when an opening is placed at model level.
The Component Modeller Tutorial details how to create an Opening Component for
use in ModelIT.

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3. Model Functions
This section looks at functions associated with the Model toolbar. We shall
describe only those options which differ from ModelIT.

3.1. Draw Extruded Shape

(Draw Extruded Shape)

Pops-up the following window:

Selecting this command allows you to create an extruded shape as a series of

straight-line segments. Select each point of the shape in turn, in either
clockwise or anti-clockwise order. To close the shape, click on the Close
Shape button which is active while you are drawing the shape. If you make a
mistake and need to undo a point, click on the right mouse button. The current
lock settings will apply and key-in values can also be used. The extruded
shape will be created with the defined Plane (m) and Depth (m) values as
currently set in the Shape Settings dialogue box. An extruded shape can be
created along any axis.
Note that you cannot cross a segment with another segment and you cannot
place a perimeter point on an existing perimeter point unless it is the first point
in which case this will close the shape.
The relevant key-ins for the extruded shape are: x=<x, y>, dx=<dx, dy> and
p=<length, angle>.

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3.2. Draw Plane

(Draw Plane)
Pops-up the following window:

Creates a plane at the given height. This function is not available in ModelIT.
The relevant key-ins for the prism are: x=<x, y>, dx=<dx, dy> and p=<length,
angle>.

3.3. Draw Prism

(Draw Prism)
Pops-up the following window:

Selecting this command allows you to create a prism shape. Select the point
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where one corner of the prism is to be located, then select the point that is at
the opposite corner of the prism. A new prism will then be created with the
defined Plane (m) and Depth (m) values as currently set in the Shape Settings
dialogue box. A prism can be created along any axis.
The relevant key-ins for the prism are: x=<x, y>, dx=<dx, dy> and p=<length,
angle>.

3.4. Draw Pyramid

(Draw Pyramid)
Pyramids are created in a very similar way to extruded shapes except that after
completing the perimeter, you will enter a point to define the apex of the
pyramid.
Pops-up the following window:

Selecting this command allows you to create a pyramid shape. To create

pyramids, you must first define the shape of the base of the pyramid and then
position the top of the pyramid. To define the pyramid base, select each point
on the perimeter of the base in turn, in either clockwise or anti-clockwise order.
To close the shape, click on the "Close Shape" button on the Shape Settings
dialogue box which is active while you are drawing the shape. Next, select the
position of the top of the pyramid. A new pyramid will be created with the base
at the defined Plane (m) value as currently set, and the top point at the Plane +
Depth (m) values as currently set. A pyramid can be created along any axis.
The relevant key-ins for the pyramid are: x=<x, y>, dx=<dx, dy> and p=<length,
angle>.

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3.5. Draw Sphere

(Draw Sphere)
Pops-up the following window:

Selecting this command allows you to create a spherical shape. To create a

sphere, first select the centre of the sphere and then select a point which
defines the radius of the sphere. A new sphere will be created with its centre at
the defined Plane (m) level that is currently set in the Shape Settings dialogue
box which is active while you are drawing the shape. The number of chord
segments which make up the sphere is defined in the Shape Settings dialogue
box. A sphere can be created along any axis.
The relevant key-ins for the sphere are: x=<x, y>, dx=<dx, dy> and p=<length,
angle>.

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3.6. Draw Hemisphere

(Draw Hemisphere)
Hemispheres are created in exactly the same way as spheres.
Pops-up the following window:

Selecting this command allows you to create a hemispherical shape. To create

a hemisphere, first select the centre of the hemisphere and then select a point
which defines the radius of the hemisphere. A new hemisphere will be created
with its base at the defined Plane (m) level that is currently set in the Shape
Settings dialogue box which is active while you are drawing the shape. The
number of chord segments which make up the hemisphere is defined in the
Shape Settings dialogue box. A hemisphere can be created along any axis.
The relevant key-ins for the hemisphere are: x=<x, y>, dx=<dx, dy> and
p=<length, angle>.

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3.7. Draw Cylinder

(Draw Cylinder)
Cylinders are created in a similar way to spheres and hemispheres.
Pops-up the following window:

Selecting this command allows you to create a cylindrical shape. To create a

cylinder, first select the centre of the cylinder and then select a point that
defines the radius of the cylinder. A new object will be created with the defined
Plane (m) and Height/Depth (m) at the values currently set in the Shape
Settings dialogue box which is active while you are drawing the shape. The
number of chord segments which make up the cylinder is defined in the Shape
Settings dialogue box. A cylinder can be created along any axis.
The relevant key-ins for the cylinder are: x=<x, y>, dx=<dx, dy> and p=<length,
angle>.

3.8. Component Handle

This sets the handle point of the component.

Note: the option to move the component handle is no longer supported in
Component Modeller, the default handle used in <VE> when placing any
component is at the origin point (0,0,0).

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3.9. Component Viewer

Pops-up the following window:

For details of how to use the functions in the component viewer please refer to
the ModelIT User Guide.

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4. Edit Functions
This section looks at functions associated with the Edit toolbar. Again most of
these operate in exactly the same way as in ModelIT.

4.1. Divide Space

This is the first tab option in the "Edit Space" window.

This works in exactly the same way as in ModelIT.

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4.2. Edit Vertices

This is the second tab option in the "Edit Space" window.

This works in exactly the same way as in ModelIT.

5. View Functions
All these functions associated with the View toolbar work in exactly the same
way as in ModelIT. For more information on this tool bar please refer to
General help topics user guide section 2.3.4.

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6. File Functions
6.1. Import GEM File
Imports a geometry file in the GEM file format into the Component Modeller
and assigns default attributes to the geometry.

6.2. Export GEM File

This option exports the geometry created by the Component Modeller, to the
GEM file format.

7. Component Libraries
There are a few basic components that you can use or edit in the default library.

These standard libraries are installed (by default) at the following location:

\Program Files\IES\apps\Components\

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