Step by step
- In Plan, press Shadows to draw shadows for the date and time set in 3D, and Heights to label every building.
- Open 3D. Choose Colour by building, height, unit type or sun hours. Context shows the imported neighbours, roads and trees; Terrain the ground surface when terrain is loaded.
- Drag the Time slider and set the Date; Midwinter sets 21 June. The sun altitude and azimuth show at the top of the view.
- Press Section to cut the model at a level, Sun path to trace the sun, and Top, Perspective, Street or Fit to move the camera. Orbit by dragging, pan with the right button.
- Press Realistic for the presentation render and pick a finish from the list. Save PNG downloads the view, at double resolution while Realistic is on. Press Realistic again for the colour-coded diagram.
Transcript
Shadows in plan. Shadows in the Plan toolbar draws real shadows for the chosen date and time, and Heights labels every building with its storeys and height.
Colour, context and time. In 3D, colour the scheme by building, height, unit type or sun hours, and show the surrounding context and terrain. Drag the time slider or pick a date; Midwinter jumps to the twenty first of June.
Section, sun path and cameras. Section cuts the model at a chosen level, Sun path traces the sun across the sky for the date, and the view buttons jump to the top, perspective and street cameras.
Realistic render. Switch on Realistic for a presentation view: a sky with the sun where it really is, rendered or face brick facades, glazing, balustrades, grass and roads. Pick a finish, and Save PNG renders the view at double resolution.