CYPETHERM

Catalogues

The "Catalogues" option lets you download manufacturers’ catalogues via the connection to the Open BIM Database, making it easier to enter data into the program for project development.

Clicking on this option opens a window showing the available manufacturer catalogues. Furthermore, clicking on the "Other catalogues" option displays a more extensive list of available manufacturers.

Using the "Filters applied" option, you can apply filters by item "Category" (for example, "Vapour barriers", "Solid materials", complete "Construction solutions" or "Glazing"), by "Language" and by "Country", to display only those manufacturers that offer product catalogues with these characteristics.

The following options are displayed for each manufacturer:

• Download
  Download the manufacturer’s catalogue. The products in the catalogue will be available in the project. In the download window, you can carry out the "Catalogue selection" and, if required, view the "Contents" of the selected catalogue. You must also read and accept the "Responsible declaration", which states that the accuracy of the analysis data or the availability of the products in these catalogues cannot be fully guaranteed; therefore, you should always use them under your own supervision and responsibility.
• Update
  Update the catalogue for the selected manufacturer to the latest version, deleting the version previously downloaded to the project.
• Delete
  Delete the catalogue for the selected manufacturer. The products in the catalogue will no longer be available in the project.

The various elements of the project can be viewed via the following panels located on the left-hand side of the program’s main interface, which are visible in both the "Building" and "Systems" tabs:

• Views
• Elements read
• Own elements
• View

Each of these is set out below:

View management

This panel, as in other CYPE programs, provides access to various "Views" to facilitate navigation and the model definition process, such as plan views or three-dimensional views.

Floor plans are generated automatically from the floor plans created in the "3D model" tab when using the "Geometric model" option. They are also generated automatically from the BIM model data if the "Import thermal model from the project" option has been selected when creating a new project.

In any case, you can use this panel to set up and create additional views if necessary.

The view selected in this panel will be displayed in the "View" window, which is located by default in the bottom left-hand corner of the interface.

There are two ways to manage the visibility of these models:

• In the "Models" drop-down menu, you can filter the various imported .ifc models and sub-models (such as ‘Architectural Model’ or ‘Spaces’).
• In the "Categories" drop-down menu, you can filter the categories of elements found in the imported models, following the IFC schema classification ("Roofs", "Façades", "Floor slabs", "Interior partitions", "Doors", "Spaces", "Windows", etc.).

On the right, the options for managing the visibility of read elements can be used to:

• Toggle the visibility of elements in the workspace (using the "Visible" option).
• Change the "Display mode" of the elements by choosing between normal view, transparent view or wireframe view.
• Lock the "Snap" fields so that they cannot be captured or selected during the various data editing processes.

Managing own elements

The "Own elements" panel allows you to control the visibility and/or snap (in the ‘View’ panel) of the own elements that make up the CYPETHERM model.

Two tabs are displayed:

• In the "Thermal model" tab, for each of the following categories, you can enable "Snap", set its "Visibility", and change its "Colour" and "Opacity":
  • Surfaces
  • Linear thermal bridges
  • Gaps
  • Shadows

• On the "Analytical model" tab, you can enable "Visibility" for each of the following categories:
  • Interior surfaces
  • Exterior surfaces
  • Edges
  • Shadows

View

The "View" panel, at the bottom left of the interface, displays the "Read-in elements from external models and/or the "Own elements" of the CYPETHERM model, depending on the settings specified in the relevant panels, and depending on the 2D or 3D view selected in the "Views" panel.

The selection and display of items in the "Project" tree and in the "View" pane are coordinated:

• The elements selected in the "Project" tree are highlighted in orange in the "View" (for example, a zone, a room or a specific structural element).
• Furthermore, if you left-click on a point on the model in the "View", the program opens a pop-up window where you can "Select" the "Zone", the "Enclosure", the "Element" or the "Type (Element)" to which the component highlighted in the view belongs. Doing so will expand the "Project" tree to the relevant level and select the component within it.

In the "Building" tab, under the "Project" section, the program displays the model’s tree structure.

Habitable spaces

Habitable spaces are indoor spaces intended for use by people. For these spaces, you can specify the ventilation rate, the installed lighting power, the occupancy and activity levels, and the installed power of the internal equipment.

Each of these concepts can be defined by a nominal value and a schedule, which adjusts this nominal value throughout the year by applying a percentage. If no schedule is defined, the nominal value will be considered constant throughout the year.

The definition of habitable spaces involves setting the following parameters:

• Building classification: Habitable

• Ventilation (optional)
  • Schedule (optional)
• Lighting (optional)
  • Installed light power
  • Radiant fraction
  • Motion to the House
  • Schedule (optional)
• Occupation (optional)
  • Activity level
  • Sensible fraction (optional)
  • Radiant fraction
  • Schedule (optional)
• Internal equipment: In this table, you can add entries for internal equipment with the following characteristics:
  • Design power
  • Radiant fraction
  • Latent fraction
  • Type of energy vector
  • Schedule (optional)

The definition of non-habitable spaces involves setting the following parameters:

• Building classification: Non-habitable

• Ventilation (optional)
  • Schedule (optional)
• Lighting (optional)
  • Installed light power
  • Radiant fraction
  • Space fraction
  • Schedule (optional)
• Internal equipment
  In this table, you can add entries for internal equipment with the following characteristics:
  • Rated power
  • Radiant fraction
  • Latent fraction
  • Type of energy vector
  • Schedule (optional)

When defining areas for the calculation of thermal loads, by ticking the "Schedules" box in each section, the program lets you enter a "Reference" and then define a schedule for each "Month" by ticking the corresponding box.

For each month, you can set a "Constant" percentage value or a "Daily schedule" by selecting the desired option from the "Type" drop-down menu.

If "Constant" is selected, enter the percentage in the "Value" column.

If you select a "Daily schedule", you will need to click the button on the right to access the list of available daily profiles.

When creating or editing each daily schedule in the list, you set a percentage for each of the 24 hours of the day by marking points on the graph.

Once this has been defined, you must select the desired daily schedule from the "Value" column.

Specific options for defining building elements

When defining types of building elements, the following specific options may appear, depending on the type of element selected:

• Absorptance (for elements of the "Façade", "Party wall", "Partition wall","Roof","Cantilever" or "Floor slab" type)
  The absorptance ranges from 0 to 1. A single value for the absorptance of the building element is specified, which must correspond to the outer layer (on which solar radiation falls). You can import the value using the wizard available on the right:
  • Import absorption coefficient
    The value of this coefficient is lower for light-coloured surfaces and higher for dark-coloured surfaces.
• Adiabatic (optional) (for "Partition wall" type elements)
  The element is treated as completely adiabatic. Consequently, there is no heat transfer through this element.
• Soil thermal conductivity (for "Basement wall" or "Floor slab" elements). The thermal conductivity of the ground varies depending on its type. You can import the value using the wizard on the right:
  • Import typical values. The lowest values correspond to gravel and silt; sand yields intermediate values, whilst rock yields the highest values.

In the building element libraries, if an element is defined by layers (by selecting the "Define by layers" option), the program displays a table in which you can add, edit, copy, delete or reorder the material layers that make up the element.

The layers of materials that make up the building envelope are defined in order, from the outside in for vertical building envelopes (walls), and from top to bottom for horizontal building envelopes (floors).

The definition of the doors’ characteristics in the project’s libraries is necessary in order to specify the data relating to their thermal performance.

The model’s door library can be found on the "Building" tab and, within the tree structure in the left-hand side panel of the "Project" definition, under the "Libraries" section, by then selecting the "Doors" level.

When you select each door type from the list, the program will highlight the doors associated with that type in orange in the model’s "View". It will also display a table showing their properties to the right of the "Project" panel.

Defining doors

When adding or editing a door type in the library, a window opens in which you need to configure the following parameters:

• Reference
  Door type reference.
• Heat transfer coefficient (U)
  Thermal transmittance of the door in the units shown.
• Absorptance
  The absorptance ranges from 0 to 1. This coefficient is lower for light-coloured surfaces and higher for dark-coloured surfaces.

In addition, the options in the right-hand column of the window allow you to do the following:

• Import / Export (settings)
  These options let you import and export the door type to .bib07 files on disk.

The definition of the characteristics of glazed openings in the libraries of the project is necessary in order to specify the data relating to their thermal performance. This data can be entered manually or by referring to various catalogues and reference standards containing predefined materials, and will affect the calculation performed by the program.

The tools for managing the model’s glazed opening libraries can be found on the "Building" tab and, within the "Project" tree view, in the "Libraries" section, after selecting the "Glazed openings" level.

Glazed openings can be exported to files on the hard drive with the .bib934 extension.

The parameters used to define each glazed opening in the library depend on the type of project selected:

• Defining glazed openings for building energy simulation
• Defining glazed openings for the calculation of thermal loads

• Reference
  Reference for the type of glazed opening.
• Air permeability at a reference pressure of 100 Pa.
  This value is used to calculate air infiltration and is determined by the class of the joinery. Standard values can be imported using the wizard on the right.

The remaining parameters for the opening are defined in the following tabs:

"Glazed fraction" tab

Specify the heat transfer coefficient (U-value) and the solar factor for the opening. If the "Opaque fraction" tab is selected, the values entered in this panel will apply only to the glazed fraction of the opening. Otherwise, they will affect the entire geometry of the opening.

• Generic
  Enter the parameters of the glazed fraction directly:
  • Thermal transmittance (U)
    Thermal transmittance of the glazed fraction.
  • Solar factor
    The solar factor of the glazing, or the proportion of solar radiation that the glazing transmits, expressed as a ratio. The lower this factor, the less solar radiation enters the interior.
• Catalogues
  Import data on the glazed fraction from the glazing products of manufacturers available in the Open BIM Database, which have been previously downloaded via the "Catalogues" option in the main interface.

"Opaque fraction" tab (optional)

Specify the opaque fraction or frame fraction of the opening and its thermal properties, as well as the presence of thermal bridges caused by the connection between the different parts that make up the opening, which are defined by their length and their linear thermal transmittance.

• Thermal transmittance (U)
  Thermal transmittance of the opaque fraction.
• Opaque portion of the opening
  The proportion of the opening, expressed as a ratio, occupied by the opaque part (frame or joinery).
• Absorptivity
  The coefficient of absorption of incident radiation by the frame.
• Coupling between frame and glazing (optional)
  Ticking this box indicates the presence of thermal bridges caused by the coupling between the frame and the glazing.
  • Length
    The length of the thermal bridges between the glazing and the frame.
  • Linear thermal transmittance
    Linear thermal transmittance of thermal bridges between the frame and the glazing. On the right, there is a wizard to help determine this parameter using values from the EN ISO 10077-1 standard.
• Joint between the frame and opaque panels or roller shutter box (optional)
  Ticking this box indicates the presence of thermal bridges caused by the joint between the frame and the opaque panels or the roller shutter box.
  • Length
    The length of the thermal bridges between the frame and the opaque panels or the roller shutter box.
  • Linear thermal transmittance
    Linear thermal transmittance of the thermal bridges between the frame and the opaque panels or the roller shutter box.

"Accessories" tab

Add external sun protection accessories (roller shutters, slats, shutters, etc.) or internal ones (curtains, blinds, Venetian blinds, etc.) and set how they are activated.

• With solar protection accessories (optional)
  • Name
  • Type (Internal blind / External blind)
  • Solar transmission coefficient
    The proportion of solar radiation that passes through the fitting, on a one-to-one basis.
  • Thickness
  • Conductivity
  • Shading control type
    • Always on
      Treat the defined shading as always active at all times of the year.
    • Always off
      Treat the defined shading as if it were always off.
    • On if schedule allows
      Create and edit a schedule for hourly, daily, weekly or monthly use, specifying the times when shading is active or inactive in detail.
      • Schedule
    • On if high solar radiation incident on window
      Set a maximum solar radiation value, above which the shading system will be considered active.
      • Maximum solar radiation

"Shading elements" tab (optional)

Shading elements allow the effect of façade projections – such as recesses, window overhangs or lateral projections that cast shadows over the opening – to be simulated, should they not have been defined in the geometric model, included in the building’s element tree or added to it.

• Overhang (horizontal projection) (optional)
  • Overhang projection depth (PH)
  • Vertical offset from fenestration top (RH)
  • Angle
• Left fin (left vertical projection) (optional)
  • Fin projection depth (PV)
  • Horizontal offset from fenestration edge (RW)
• Right fin (Right vertical projection) (optional)
  • Fin projection depth (PV)
  • Horizontal offset from fenestration edge (RW)

The program displays a generic diagram at the bottom showing the layout of the opening and the possible shading elements, which helps to define its parameters.

"Plane thermal bridge" tab (optional)

Plane thermal bridges enable the definition of the structural elements that make up the flat surfaces surrounding the opening, where their characteristics differ from those of the structural element in which the opening is situated, in order to take account of heat transfer through them.

By selecting this tab, you can define the several plane thermal bridges available. These are:

• Lintel (optional)
• Blind box (optional)
• Jambs (optional)
• Windowsill (optional)
• Niche (optional)

The program displays a generic diagram on the right-hand side showing the opening and any potential flat thermal bridges, which helps to understand their layout.

For each of these, the width must be specified. This width, together with other details such as the width or height of the recess, will determine the area of the flat thermal bridge. In the case of niches, the plane thermal bridge extends from the floor to the opening.

• Reference
  Reference for the type of glazed opening.

The remaining parameters for the opening are defined in the following tabs:

"Glazed fraction" tab

Specify the heat transfer coefficient and the solar factor for the opening. If the "Opaque fraction" tab is selected, the values entered in this panel will apply only to the glazed portion of the opening. Otherwise, they will affect the entire geometry of the opening.

• Heat transmission coefficient
  Thermal transmittance of the glazed area. This can be defined in either a simplified or detailed way:
  • Simplified definition
    The transmittance (U) of the glazed section is entered directly.
  • Detailed definition
    Opens a window in which the "Glazing" is defined by entering the following parameters, based on which the transmittance will be calculated automatically.
    • Reference
      Glazing reference.
    • External glazing
      Define single-glazed units. The data for each pane of glass can be imported and exported to .bibgen files on disc.
      • Reference, Density, Thermal conductivity, Specific heat
    • Glass 2 (optional)
      Selecting this tab defines double glazing.
      • Air cavity
        • Thickness, Thermal resistance
      • Glass 2
        • Reference, Density, Thermal conductivity, Specific heat
    • Glass 3 (optional)
      Selecting this tab sets triple glazing.
      • Air cavity
        • Thickness, Thermal resistance
      • Glass 3
        • Reference, Density, Thermal conductivity, Specific heat
• Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC): the solar heat gain coefficient of glazing, or the proportion of solar radiation that the glazing allows through, expressed as a ratio. The lower this coefficient, the less solar radiation enters the building. It can be defined in either a simplified or detailed manner:
  • Simplified definition
    The data for the "Normal incidence" of radiation on the glazing is entered.
  • Detailed definition
    The data for "Normal incidence" of direct radiation on the glazing is entered for the angles "20°", "40°", "60°" and "80°", and for "Diffuse" radiation.

The buttons on the right allow you to download and import glazing data from one of the manufacturers’ catalogues available in the Open BIM Database.

"Opaque fraction" tab (optional)

Specify the opaque fraction or frame fraction of the opening and its thermal properties.

• Opaque opening fraction
  The proportion of the opening, expressed as a ratio, occupied by the opaque part (frame or carpentry).
• Heat transmission coefficient
  Thermal transmittance of the opaque portion.
• Absorptance
  The coefficient of absorption of incident radiation by the frame.

"External shading" tab (optional)

By selecting this tab, you can simulate the effect of façade projections such as recesses, window overhangs or lateral projections that cast shadows over the opening, should they not have been defined in the geometric model, included in the building’s element tree or entered into it.

• Shading devices
  The program displays a generic diagram showing the layout of the opening and the possible shading devices, which helps in defining their parameters:
  • Outside reveal depth
    The distance by which the opening is set back from the outer face of the façade cladding.
  • Overhang (horizontal projection) (optional)
    • Overhang projection depth (PH)
    • Distance to top edge of opening(RH)
  • Left-hand side (vertical projection) (optional)
    • Fin projection depth (PV)
    • Distance to side edge of the opening (RW)
  • Right-hand side (vertical projection) (optional)
    • Fin projection depth (PV)
    • Distance to side edge of the opening (RW)
• Opening height
• Opening width

"Internal shading" tab (optional)

By selecting this tab, you can simulate the effect of shading accessories (such as shutters, blinds, slats, curtains, roller blinds or Venetian blinds) by entering the following parameters.

• Interior solar attenuation coefficient
  Reduction in the solar factor of the opening resulting from the use of the fitting. This value must be between 0.10 and 1.
• Heat gain radiative fraction
  A factor used in the calculation of summer heat loads, representing the proportion of the total energy passing through the component in the form of radiant energy. This value must be between 0.10 and 1.

• ISO 10211
  Determine the thermal transmittance of linear thermal bridges using a finite element analysis based on the EN ISO 10211 standard. This method is equivalent to that used by standalone programs such as CYPETHERM BRIDGES. The program displays a wizard with the following tabs:
  • About...
    Informative text on the analysis method used and its implementation in the program.
  • Type
    Select the type of thermal bridge.
  • Model
    Details of the thermal bridge model, based on the definition of the material layers located at each of the positions indicated in the diagram.
  • Report
    Report on the calculation of the linear thermal transmittance of the thermal bridge using the finite element analysis set out in the specified standard.

1. Options in the "Building" and "Edit" groups
   • The options in the "Building" section let you create new groups and new spaces.
   • Within the "Edit" panel, the "Multiple editing" option provides a wizard for editing, in a single operation, the properties of different types of building elements. Among its features is the ability to assign spaces to different zones or groups and to change their library type. To do this, after clicking "Spaces" in the window that appears, select the elements to which you wish to apply the properties indicated in the "Selection" column, click on the "Group" or "Type" assignment options, and confirm the window.

2. Top toolbar in the project tree
   This toolbar provides options for:
   • "Add (Groups)", "Add (Spaces)", "Add (Building elements)" or "Add (Openings)", depending on the selected level.
   • "Duplicate", "Delete" or "Search" for elements in the tree.
   • "Move up" and "Move down" elements of the diagram, including zones, groups and spaces (these tools also let you move a space from one zone or group to another).
   • "Cut", "Copy" and "Paste" elements.
   • "Expand all" or "Collapse all" the content of the selected level in the tree.

3. Context menu
   The context menu that appears when you right-click on a level in the tree allows you to carry out the following operations:
   • "Add (Groups)", "Add (Spaces)", "Add (Building elements)" or "Add (Openings)", depending on the selected level.
   • "Duplicate", "Delete" or "Search" for elements in the tree.
   • "Move up" and "Move down" elements in the diagram.
   • "Cut", "Copy" and "Paste" elements (for example, you can select a space, click "Cut", navigate to the destination level – be it a specific group or zone – and click "Paste" to move it to that level).
   • "Expand all" or "Collapse all" the content of the selected level in the tree.

New group

The "New group" option allows you to add groups of venues to the project tree.

Alternatively, you can right-click on the tree level and select the "Add (Groups)" option from the context menu, or use the option of the same name on the top toolbar of the tree.

When using one of these options:

• For the "Energy simulation" project type:
  • If the "Building" level is selected in the project tree, the program will generate a "Zone".
  • If a "Zone" level is selected, the program will generate a "Group".
• For all types of project:
  • If a "Group" is selected, the program will generate a new "Group" that is contained within the previous one. This lets you work with sub-groups.

Each zone or group created using this option will appear empty on the building plan and, where applicable, its properties can be defined in the editing area on the right.

Within each "Group" or "Zone", the premises belonging to that group or zone are then defined.

New space

As the building’s spaces and structural elements are imported from the BIM model, you usually will not need to create new spaces; however, the program does have a function for this purpose. To add a new space to the zone, select the "Spaces" section within the area on the building layout and click the "New space" button on the toolbar.

Alternatively, you can right-click on the tree level and use the "Add (Spaces)" option from the context menu.

Each space created using this option will appear empty on the building plan and, where applicable, its properties can be defined in the editing area on the right.

Within each "Space", the corresponding "Building elements" and "Linear thermal bridges" are defined.

In the "Energy simulation" project type, the building will consist of thermal zones.

When you select a thermal zone in the tree view on the left-hand side panel of the "Project" panel, under the "Building" tab, it is highlighted in the 3D model viewer and the "Zone" panel is displayed in the main area, where the following zone properties are defined:

• Reference
  Zone reference. This parameter can be edited directly. However, the zone identification code (e.g. Z01) is generated automatically and depends on its position in the schema.

• Zone classification (Habitable / Non-habitable / Undefined)
  All areas included in the zone must be of the same type (habitable or non-habitable) as that selected from this drop-down menu. In the tree structure:
  • An area classified as uninhabitable or undefined will be shown with a grey symbol;
  • An area classified as habitable will be assigned a coloured symbol depending on its operational conditions:
    • Yellow if no setpoint temperature has been defined (unheated living area),
    • Red if a heating setpoint is defined,
    • Blue if a cooling setpoint is defined.

"Operational conditions and indoor comfort" section

Define the operating conditions and comfort temperatures for the thermal zone. All spaces included in the zone share these conditions.

• Heating (optional)
  Set the zone’s heating setpoint temperature using an hourly schedule.
• Cooling (optional)
  Set the zone’s cooling setpoint temperature using an hourly schedule.

• Editing advanced properties: Using the edit button to the right of the section, you can set a maximum and minimum indoor comfort temperature. These temperature values are used in the "Indoor comfort" report to make comparisons with the indoor temperature of the zone. These comfort temperatures are not taken into account in the EnergyPlus™ simulation.
  • Maximum comfort temperature (optional)
  • Minimum comfort temperature (optional)

"Condensations" section

This section defines the indoor environment parameters used to check for surface and interstitial condensation, provided this option has been enabled under ‘General parameters’.

• Editing advanced properties
  Using the edit button to the right of the section, you can set the following parameters:
  • Relative internal humidity
  • Critical surface humidity
  • Internal air temperature during the winter months
  • Internal air temperature during the summer months
  • Heating period (number of days per month)
  • Cooling period (number of days per month)
• Psychrometric diagram
  Shows the temperature and humidity points for indoor air (in red) as defined in this section, and for outdoor air as defined in the "Location data" panel.

• Name
  Name of the space. This parameter can be edited directly.

• Type
  Enter or select (using the option on the right) the type of space from those available in the library.

• Area
  The area of the space. This value is used to calculate the simulation results per unit area. When carrying out an energy simulation, you can define spaces without a floor area ("Area" equal to 0), provided that at least one room in the same thermal zone has an "Area" value greater than 0.

• Volume between the floor and the suspended ceiling
  The volume of the space, defined as the space between the floor and the suspended ceiling.

• Installed lighting power (optional)
  You can specify an individual value for the installed lighting power for each room. If this option is ticked, the value defined will override that of the corresponding library type. This option will only be available if the selected room type has a lighting load defined (the "Lighting" box is ticked). This data can be imported from the BIM model information.

When you select the "Structural elements" level within a room, in the "Project" element tree under the "Building" tab, a table showing the structural elements associated with that room is displayed in the main editing area on the right-hand side.

When you select each structural element, you can see the "Openings" defined for it in the table at the bottom of the interface.

This table shows various columns containing information about the openings in that element, including:

• Its identification code (for example, Z01_S01_E01_G04), which is generated automatically and depends on the position of the hole in the tree.
• The "Element" type and its symbol.
• The "Reference".
• The selected "Type".
• The element’s "Area".
• If there are any issues.

The table features options at the top for adding, editing, copying, deleting or reordering elements in the list.

Furthermore, if that structural element is expanded in the building tree, the levels corresponding to the openings in that element are displayed. When a particular opening is selected in the tree, it is highlighted in the 3D model viewer.

By selecting each opening in the tree, or editing each bridge in the table, you can edit their properties. Openings are defined by the following characteristics:

• Considered in the design (optional)
  By ticking or unticking this option, you can choose to include or ignore the gap in the analysis performed by the program. When this option is enabled, you can edit the remaining parameters.
• Reference
  Reference number of the opening. The program also displays the identification code.
• Type
  You must select one of the following four:
  • Door
    Select a "Type" from those available in the door library. It also requires you to define the "Area" (or the "Vertices") and its "Position" ("External" or "Internal"). If the "Position" is "Exterior", you must specify the "Angle of inclination", the "Orientation" and the "Shadows" affecting the opening.
  • Window
    Select a "Type" from those available in the glazed openings library. This is an opening in vertical elements (external walls, partition walls). It also requires the definition of the "Area" (or the "Vertices") and its "Position" ("Exterior" or "Interior"). If the "Position" is "Exterior", the "Tilt angle", the "Orientation" and the "Shadows" affecting the opening must be specified.
  • Skylight
    Select a "Type" from those available in the glazed openings library. This is an opening in horizontal elements (floor slabs, roofs, cantilevers). It also requires the definition of the "Area" (or the "Vertices") and its "Position" ("Exterior" or "Interior"). If the "Position" is "External", you must specify the "Tilt angle", the "Orientation", whether it is situated on the "Ceiling" or the "Floor", and the "Shadows" affecting the opening.
  • Openings
    Openings represent an opening created directly on the element and do not require the selection of a specific type from the library. They only require the definition of the "Area" (or the "Vertices").
• Area / Vertices
  In the "Thermal loads" project type, the area of the opening is displayed as a single numerical parameter.
  In the "Energy simulation" project type, the area of the opening is entered using a polygon defined by its vertices. By clicking on the button that appears, you can view and define the points with global coordinates (X, Y, Z) that determine the position and surface area of the opening.
• Shading (in the "Energy simulation" project type)
  In the "Shading" section for doors, windows and skylights, you can select one of these three options:
  • No shading
    The gap is not shaded.
  • Simplified definition
    A value is entered for "Fixed shading percentage".
  • Detailed definition
    Define a shading diagram.
• Linear thermal bridges
  Assign the linear thermal bridges associated with the intersection between the opening and the element containing it. To do this, select the positions of the thermal bridges to be taken into account (at the "Bottom", "Top" and/or "Lateral" edges of the opening) and choose a bridge type for each one.

When you select the "Linear thermal bridges" level within an enclosure, in the "Project" element tree under the "Building" tab, a table showing the linear thermal bridges associated with that space is displayed in the main editing area on the right.

This table shows various columns containing information about the bridges, including:

• Its identification code (for example, Z01_S01_TB01), which is generated automatically and depends on the position of the bridge in the tree.
• The linear thermal bridge type.
• The bridge’s "Reference".
• The selected "Type".
• The "Length" of the bridge.
• Its linear thermal transmittance (“ψ”).
• The "Adjacent" or adjoining space.
• If there are any issues.

The table features options at the top for adding, editing, copying, deleting or reordering items in the list.

Groups

Delete groups and thermal zones, or modify the properties of thermal zones. The groups and zones are displayed in a list on the left.

• The "Delete" option, on the left, lets you delete the selected group or thermal zone.
• To modify the properties of one or more heating zones simultaneously, select the zones in the left-hand side panel. Then, on the right-hand side, specify the properties you wish to assign to those zones.

After confirming, the properties of the selected elements will be changed, or they will be deleted.

Spaces

Move group spaces and edit their type:

• To move group or zone spaces, select the spaces by ticking them in the left-hand column. Then, click on the "Group" option and choose the group (or zone) to which they are to be assigned.
• To edit the type of spaces, select the spaces by ticking them in the left-hand column. Then, click on the "Type" option and choose the type of space you wish to assign to them from those available in the room library.

After confirming, the spaces will be moved to the specified zone or group and/or their assignment type will be changed.

Library

Modify the properties of certain library elements such as "Spaces", "Doors" or "Glazed openings":

• To modify the properties of the elements, select the types you wish to modify by ticking them in the left-hand column. Then, specify on the right-hand side the properties to be assigned to those element types.

After confirming, the properties of the selected element types will be modified.

In the "Thermal loads" project type, the "Multiple edit" option lets you move group spaces and edit their type:

• To move group spaces, select the spaces by ticking them in the left-hand column. Then click on the "Group" option and choose the group to which they are to be assigned.
• To edit the type of spaces, select the spaces by ticking them in the left-hand column. Then, click on the "Type" option and choose the type of space you wish to assign to them from those available in the space library.

After confirming, the spaces will be moved to the specified group and/or their type assignment will be changed.

Assign type

The "Assign type" option is a graphical tool that works on the 3D model as follows:

1. Click on the "Assign type" option.
2. Select an element in the "View" using the left mouse button.
3. Finally, use the left mouse button (either one by one or by selecting an area) to select the elements in the "View" to which you wish to apply the same type as the source element.
   During this process, elements with the same type applied will be highlighted in orange, whilst those with a different type will be displayed in yellow.

Manual definition of the linear thermal transmittance coefficient

Clicking on the edit button in this section opens the "Manual definition of the linear thermal transmittance coefficient" window, which displays the types of thermal bridges associated with the selected standard.