Using Sun Setting Presets

Sun setting presets are predefined sun settings that give you easy access to dates and times of interest. Each solar study mode has key presets, such as solstices, equinoxes, and seasonal ranges. In addition, you can create your own presets, thereby saving specific sun settings for quick, repeatable access to dates and times of interest.

Note: When you create new presets, you can either start from scratch, or you can duplicate and edit an existing preset. The only exceptions are the In-session presets, which cannot be duplicated, renamed, or deleted.

In-session presets

Each solar study mode has an In-session preset. Using this preset, you can specify a temporary setting for the sun in the active view and see changes in shadow patterns. You can then save the sun setting as a user-defined preset.

To create a preset

1. Open a 2D or 3D view that supports the display of shadows.
2. Click Manage tabSettings panelAdditional Settings drop-down (Sun Settings).
3. In the Sun Settings dialog, under Solar Study, select a mode.
4. In the Presets list, select the In-session preset for the current mode.
5. Under Settings, enter the values that you want to save as a preset.

   Optionally, you can display the sun path and use its on-screen controls to position the sun for the preset. To do this, close the Sun Settings dialog, turn on the sun path, and position the sun in the drawing area. For Lighting mode, enter Azimuth and Altitude values using the on-screen controls, as you cannot drag the sun to adjust its position in Lighting mode. Then, reopen the dialog and complete the remaining steps in this procedure.

6. Click Save Settings.
7. In the Name dialog, enter a unique name for the preset, and click OK.

   The new preset is added at the end of the Presets list.

8. Click OK.

To apply a preset

1. Open a 2D or 3D view that supports the display of shadows.
2. Turn on the sun and shadows.
3. Click Manage tabSettings panelAdditional Settings drop-down (Sun Settings).
4. In the Sun Settings dialog, under Solar Study, select a mode.
5. In the Presets list, select a preset.

   The Settings section of the dialog displays the values associated with the preset.

6. Click Apply to preview the preset in the active view.
7. Click OK when done.

To edit a preset

1. Click Manage tabSettings panelAdditional Settings drop-down (Sun Settings).
2. In the Sun Settings dialog, under Solar Study, select a mode.
3. In the Presets list, select a preset.
   Note: It is advisable to retain the original values for presets that are tied to solar events, such as equinoxes, solstices, and seasons.
4. Under Settings, modify the values as needed.
5. Click OK.

To duplicate a preset

1. Click Manage tabSettings panelAdditional Settings drop-down (Sun Settings).
2. In the Sun Settings dialog, under Solar Study, select a mode.
3. In the Presets list, select a preset.
   Note: You cannot duplicate In-session presets.
4. Click (Duplicate).
5. In the Name dialog, enter a unique name for the preset, and click OK.

   The new preset is added at the end of the Presets list.

6. In the Sun Settings dialog, under Settings, modify the values as needed.
7. Click OK.

To rename a preset

1. Click Manage tabSettings panelAdditional Settings drop-down (Sun Settings).
2. In the Sun Settings dialog, under Solar Study, select a mode.
3. In the Presets list, select a preset.
   Note: You cannot rename In-session presets.
4. Click (Rename).
5. In the Rename dialog, enter a unique name for the preset, and click OK.

   The new preset is added at the end of the Presets list.

6. In the Sun Settings dialog, under Settings, modify the values as needed.
7. Click OK.

To delete a preset

1. Click Manage tabSettings panelAdditional Settings drop-down (Sun Settings).
2. In the Sun Settings dialog, under Solar Study, select a mode.
3. In the Presets list, select a preset.
   Note: You cannot delete In-session presets.
4. Click (Delete).
5. When prompted to confirm the deletion, click Yes.
6. In the Sun Settings dialog, click OK.