Mass Shading devices (such as vertical fins or horizontal canopies) may be added to detailed Revit models. This may be a quick way to compare results as the shade can be easily adjusted. These objects will affect Heat Gain results when they are placed adjacent to windows or curtain walls. Daylighting will typically also be affected by horizontal canopies but not currently by vertical fins.
Mass shade devices can be modeled using Massing & Site menu in Revit –In-Place Mass. Input a name for the mass object and proceed to model it with tools on the Revit menu. Then select the object and use Create Form. You may then adjust the object by selecting planes and extruding if required. When complete, click on Finish Mass. You can copy and paste mass objects around the model.
Mass Canopy as shading device
Results without mass shading devices
Results with mass shading devices
FenestraPro should be closed before you add a mass object such as a simulated shading device, since a new Energy Model will need to be created each time the model is modified. When FenestraPro is opened again, Heat Gain should be recalculated with Calculate Shadingchecked. The results on the Dashboard and Charts will be different compared to the model without any shading objects included. If you find that the results are not updating on the Dashboard, please close the application and relaunch the Add-in. You can also check the shade effect using the Shading Animations to see if shadows are produced. If results are not changing when shade devices are added, shading settings may need to be adjusted, please see this Section for details.
Shading Animations with mass shading devices
Mass Vertical Fins will affect Heat Gain only
Note: Vertical Fins modeled as mass objects on Detailed models will currently NOT affect the Daylighting results. Changing the the depth of the shade devices will effect the Heat Gain results. If new devices are added to the model, the application should be closed and relaunched to create a new energy model in Revit that will include the change in project geometry.
Trees
The same principle may be used to create trees or external objects that will create shade effects and change the results.
Mass objects may be used as trees (modeled as cone shapes) in Detailed models. These will affect the results also by reducing Heat Gain and Daylight values.
