Under Analysis Settings, there is an option to calculate results with shading effects (turn on/off Calculate Shading).
Note: If shading conditions on the model are modified, you must use the Refresh button to update the application. If the shading setting was not used the first time you got results, this must also be turned on under Analysis Settings.
Shading Charts will become available after calculations have completed (and you have included the Calculate Shading). You may select into the Charts by clicking on a bar in the Chart to review Surfaces within a Facade or select a single Surface (similar to navigating other Charts). A single Surface will display monthly average results (shading of the Surface during sun hours). Surfaces will also highlight on the model as selections are made.
Note: If the Shading calculations start in the but do not complete (the progress bar runs but no results display), there may be issues in the model with the extents of the model elements being too far away from Revit’s internal origin. It may be necessary to review this, since Revit has a maximum of 16km / 10 miles distance for all model elements from the internal origin. The Internal Origin, Survey Point and Project Base Point may be turned on using Visibility Graphics in Revit if necessary, to review. If required please move the model closer to the internal origin to comply with the maximum limit, then run the Shading Calculations again.
Shading conditions which affect results for Detailed models are: self-shading, mass or detailed family shade devices, surrounding buildings (modeled as mass objects), detailed objects/structural objects which cast shadows.
The following video relates to version 7.0 and is to be updated soon…
Shading Implications
Most changes to the model will be accommodated when Refresh is used to update the application (such as new surroundings added or deleted, detailed or mass canopy added or deleted to/from the model, mass or detailed shade fin added or deleted etc). This assumes that shading has been included to factor in the shading effects.
There are some adjustments where Dashboard Refresh may not update the results. This may be due to lack of parameters or data in Revit to notify the application of the changes made in the model (such as adjusting the depth of a shade device, adjusting the size of a window or importing a linked model etc). In these and other cases, a restart of the application may be required. This will create a new energy model and fully recalculate shading effects.
Shading Animations are covered in this Section here
