LINES
The lines of a project represent the structure of the object you want to simulate: they define the outline of all the parts composing it. Clicking on tab "Lines" it is possible to modify the lines of the project.
It
is also possible to import lines directly from a DXF file through
"Import" command of "File" menu. To correctly
import it is important to:
use a suitable scale factor: for example, if the DXF file uses millimeters as unit, you should use 0.001 as scale factor;
"explode" project before saving it in DXF format.
Commands
If you wish to create or modify lines, you can use the following commands:
Construction axes
When this feature is available, construction axes can be used as a helper when handling geometry: they can be used as snap positions. Please use the following commands to create and modify them:
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Create an horizontal axis. |
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Create a vertical axis. |
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Delete axes. |
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Delete all the axes from the project. |
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Move axes. |
Groups
When available, this feature can be extremely useful to handle complex projects by grouping parts of them. Groups are managed through the following commands:
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Group selected vertices. When used, selected vertices are linked together and can only be moved as a whole. If there are areas within the newly created group, they will be moved together with the group. |
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Ungroup selected group. |
If you wish to modify vertices within a group you simply have to double click on a group's vertex; pressing ESC you'll return to parent level. Please note that groups can be nested (i.e. a group can contain groups).
Flow direction hints
This software needs to know which is the global direction of heat flow in order to apply several algorithms:
boundary increased resistance algorithm;
frame and insulation panels detection.
Heat flow direction hint can be set by choosing one of the following options:
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From top to bottom. |
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From bottom to top. |
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From right to left. |
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From left to right. |
Cavities flow direction
When available, certain kind of cavities require heat flow direction specification. This direction is absolute and not relative to screen:
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Horizontal flow direction. |
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Upward flow direction. |
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Downward flow direction. |
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Automatic flow direction detection, depending also on gravity vector (see below). |
Gravity vector
In certain situations, you'll be asked to choose which is heat flow the gravity direction respect to screen. This setting is important especially for cavities.