3D designs

3D design allows you to take into account nearby buildings or trees that may cast shade on the roofs you're working on. Easy PV can then complete and automatic shade analysis which saves you time and leads to more accurate projections for your customer. 

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Starting a 3D project

When creating your project, select the "3D" option.

Since 3D mode relies on the satellite map, you must then set the map either by zooming into the right location and selecting set from map or inputting the address and clicking set from address.

You can then click create and start your 3D design. 

Overview of 3D design

There are three views you can use to accurately complete your design in 3D:

1. Plan: This is a top down satellite view of the property.
   • Drag and drop buildings and obstructions from the left-side menu and align with the satellite map.
   • Click in the corners to view and edit dimensions - note that all dimensions are all top-down. Use elevations view for pitched dimensions. 
   • Where available this will load with a property boundary. 
2. 3D: 3D view of the model. 
   • Useful to check elevations are correct. 
   • Expand 3D view to view full shading model. 
3. Elevations: View of heights and pitched dimensions.  
   • Click on a building, extension or obstruction in the plan view to display heights and pitched dimensions. 
   • Adjust dimensions by dragging or input directly by clicking on value. 

Orthorectified and standard map imagery

When designing atop the satellite map, you have two choices of which map data to use: 

• Orthorectified: Uses geometrically corrected satellite data to give more accurate dimensions.
• Standard: Uses raw satellite data. Dimensions may be distorted, particularly for sloped structures.

If you are relying on the satellite map for dimensions, then orthorectified is the recommended option. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the dimensions when using the standard imagery. 

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Selecting roofs to use 

Once you have completed your design, click Next. A menu will then pop up showing the selectable roofs.

• Easy PV will automatically select the roofs it thinks are most suitable based on the size, pitch and orientation. 
• If a property boundary is included, only roofs within this property boundary will display - remove or edit the property boundary if roofs you modelled are missing. 
  
• Select or de-select and roofs using the checkbox on the right. 
• Place cursor over roofs to highlight them in the map on the left. 

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Automatic shade analysis 

 

Examples

Join our dedicated 3D design training session for more