Changing Graphical Appearances in the Energy Analytical Model

Note: To use this feature, you must sign in to Autodesk web services by clicking ServicesServices Sign In, and entering the User ID and password associated with your Autodesk account.

When working with a conceptual mass model, you can change the materials that control the graphical appearance of various parts of the mass.

Changing the graphical appearance of parts of the mass model does not change the energy analysis results. However, it can help differentiate mass subcategories in views of the model.

Note: To edit materials for conceptual constructions, use the Project Browser to change the material assigned to the construction. Or override the default material for a mass subcategory, such as Mass Exterior Wall, by modifying the Graphical Appearance value in the instance properties for the subcategory. See Properties Palette.

To change graphical appearances in the energy model

  1. Open a view that displays the conceptual mass model.
  2. Click Analyze tabEnergy Model Display panel, and select Show Mass Surface Types or Show Mass Zones and Shades.
  1. Select one or more mass walls, floors, slabs, shades, glazing, skylights, or zones.
    Tip: Place the cursor over the edge of the desired element, press Tab one or more times until the desired element is highlighted, and click to select it. To select multiple elements, press and hold Ctrl while selecting individual elements.
  2. On the Properties palette, under Materials and Finishes, for Graphical Appearance, click in the field to open the Material Browser. See Changing the Appearance of a Material.
  3. Select the desired material from the list, or click By Construction or By Category, as appropriate.
If you select... The element displays in the view using...
By Construction the material specified for the conceptual construction assigned to the element. When the element’s Conceptual Construction value is By Energy Settings, the element’s graphical appearance is based on the conceptual construction specified for that type of mass element in the Energy Settings dialog. When you select a different Conceptual Construction value for the element, the element’s graphical appearance reflects that value.
By Category the graphics specified for the category in the Visibility/Graphics dialog.
Parent topic: Refining the Energy Analysis