Even though this tutorial has lots of advanced features of DIALux evo that is useful for many regular users of DIALux, however it is written with lots of descriptions to make it easy for beginners and people who have little or no previous knowledge about the software, so I hope you will find it as easy as I thought.
To understand this tutorial you have to start with Tutorial 1 DLX-T1 which explains more basic function of the software that might not be explained here, and you will find some of steps that refers to tutorial DLX-T1, DIALux evo Tutorial DLX-T1 could be found @
Please help me improve this tutorial by adding your comments there is any of the steps not clear or if you have any idea for improvements.
You can add your comments to the bottom of this tutorial
Note: the Lighting layout of this Tutorial is made random and is not meant to show a good practice of lighting design, the sole purpose is to show the different feature of DIALux evo with many different luminaries e.g. RGBW and RGB.
In this tutorial you will learn
- Handling AutoCAD files
- Creating Site
- Creating building
- Using Reference help lines
- Naming Site, Building & rooms
- Creating interior of a building
- Using Assessment Zone
- Inserting Apertures (Windows & Doors)
- Using cutout for wall ceiling & Floor.
- Using Room Elements.
- Inserting Luminaires and objects.
- Using Duplicate Story
- Creating balcony
- Creating Double height.
- Using cutout for Façade
- Inserting dimension & text
For this Tutorial you should create a project like the one Bellow
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Step-1 Creating a project
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Start the software then selectOutdoor and building planning. |
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Step-2 Importing Multiple cad files
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Make sure you are in CONSTRUCTION mode and select DRAWINGS TOOL |
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After importing you can see the file you have imported, the one in the orange is the current selection.The check box to allow you to show or hide the CAD file. |
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Step-3 Finding the current scale
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Step-4 Changing the current scale
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After you scale all the files ZOOM ALL form the top menu bar, if you cannot see the files then you have to put to 0, 0, 0 the positioning window under the scale window. |
Step-5 Moving and rotating the cad files
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You can rotate the drawing in the rotation box by putting the value of the rotation angle. |
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Step-6 Other properties of the imported cad files
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Step-7 Removing the cad files
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For this tutorial we will continue without cad files as background, so remove the cad files by selecting the file and right click mouse and select remove, alternately select the file +Del key |
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Step-8 Creating a site
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Go to Site view in the construction mode. |
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On the FLOORPLAN VIEW zoom in to the coordinate system by rotating the middle wheel of the mouse.pan by moving the mouse while pushing the wheel down. |
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Select Draw rectangular floor element. |
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Check if you made it right form last step by looking the positioning value.PositionX=20,Y=15SizeX=40,Y=30 |
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Step-9 Using help lines to create building layout
Drawing many reference lines would probably make it this part as the most boring part of this tutorial but this step is very very important to follow the complete Tutorial so please be patient when you make these reference lines thought this tutorial
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Go to reference help line selectDraw Help reference grid and draw this grid on the site. |
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Draw form point 1 to point 2 to make the grid appear at top.(anti-clock wise)If you draw the grid form point 2 to point 1 the grid will appear down the line. |
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Create anther grid somewhere in the site and modify the values toPosition X=13,Y=13Length =20Width=14Line distance X=20Line distance X=14 |
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You should have a similar layout to this one. |
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Make another reference line with offset (parallels spaced apart -7)You have to put (-) sign before the 7 or use the rotation to make the offset to the left |
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Make another reference line on the second one with offset (parallels spaced apart -4.5) |
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Draw polygonal reference line on the marked points in red circles. |
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You can delete the reference help line with the parallels spaced apart lines,so you can have a similar layout to this one |
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Step-10 Creating the outline of the building
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Go to SITE tool and select Draw new Building |
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Finally use key Esc (to deselect the Building)Change the name of the site to ST5.In DIALux evo is very important to know at which mode, which tool and what cad view you are one to take an action. |
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You can also change the name of the site and Building by going to project overview tool and double click on the name and change it. |
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Step-11 Creating the layout of walls
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Go to reverence lines tool, change the cad view to Storey 1.Draw 10 reference line with parallels spaced apart for each one as 0.2 mThis is the thickness of the exterior wall |
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Zoom the open coroner and move the line form the dot marked in red circle to close the corner.Do this step for all open corners. |
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Draw reference line with parallels spaced apart =7 form the lower edge of the building.You can check value entries. |
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Draw another reference line with parallels spaced apart =3.This line should be located at the last line. |
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Draw a vertical line form the corner marked in red circle and make the parallels spaced apart =0.05 to the left of the line. |
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draw reference line with parallels spaced apart=3.55Number of parallels=3 |
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Select the last created reference line which has other 3 lines spaced apart, then use shortcut CTRL+C and CTRL+VModify theStart Point =2.85End Point =2.85 |
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Draw Reference Line and modify it @ Start point X=13, Y=-14(minus 14) End point X=19.8, Y=-14(minus 14) |
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Step-12 Creating the indoor contour
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Go to Storey And Building Construction tool.Draw New Indoor ContourIf you see this as faded that because you are not in Storey 1 cad view, so make the active cad view as Storey 1 |
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In the Active Storey windowPut the Name as Ground FloorMake Story Height as 3.5 M |
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After creating the rooms the help lines could be hiddenFrom display option, make the reference line inactive |
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Step-13 Assessment zone-Name and Light requirements
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Go to Assessment Zone ToolSelect the room in the upper right corner |
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Put the name as Training Roomheight of working plane=0.8Wall zone=0.5 |
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Form display option makes sure the Show Room Designations is active so you can see the name of room in the plan.You can hide it if you don’t want to see the name. |
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Change the name of the other room as shown in this image.Office 1Office 2Office 3Training RoomCorridorOpen Plan OfficeBalconyEntrance |
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For corridor go to details, change the Utilisation profile asTraffic zones inside buildings thenCirculation areas and corridors |
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Once room are created you will find in the cad view selection area for rooms, naming rooms help you identify easily which to select. |
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Step-14 Inserting Furniture and objects
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Go to Furniture and objects toolSelect DIALux evo object Catalog. |
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Using search box, insert the following furnitureTable P2+M2Office chair2Flip Chart tSimple ChairTable P1
PC t Johan1 Johan2 |
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From cad view select Office 1 a & insert- Table P1-Office chair2Rotate & move the objects to have similar to this layout. |
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Go to ground floor viewCopy the table & chair by using keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C Paste by using Ctrl+V Move the object to office 2 by MOVE Manipulator.Repeat this for Office 3 |
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Select cad view to be Training Room, 3d view.Inset the flip chart in the room. |
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Select the active object to be Office chair2, then select Draw rectangular Arrangements. |
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Draw the rectangular following points 1, 2& 3. |
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Modify the grid arrangement of this chair to have X=4,Y=3Rotate to the side of the flip chartNote:You can always get more properties by clicking on the arrows |
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Select the chair in the training room, then Replace Selected Objects.Select simple chair and apply. |
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By selecting Edit grid line Manipulator while selecting the chair arrangements you can modify it by add, deleting or locking this arrangement. |
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Go to Open Plan Office cad viewFrom Reference Lines tool, insert Grid reference with.X=4.300Y=3.500 |
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Form Display Options activate Show Reference Lines |
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Place 4 PC t object on the tables |
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Make Front View as your active cad view & make sure the PC are on tables, if not use move manipulator and move by the blue arrow up. |
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Go to copy and arrange tool and select the 2 chair, 2 tables and the 2 PC t and center Y.Repeat the same form the lower two sets |
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Inset Johan1 and Johan2 in the open plan officeMake them facing each other Using MOVE & ROTATE Manipulator if required. |
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Step-15 Inserting Apertures(Windows & Doors)
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– Go to Apertures Tool-Select Door if not Selected,- position active building Opening-Zoom to OfficePlace the door on the wall of office 1 |
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Place Doors in the 5 rooms as shown in this image.Use Esc key to exit this action. |
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Select Square window |
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Place three windows in Office 1,2 & 3Use Esc Key to exit this action. |
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– Zoom to Training Room- Select Draw New building opening- Draw the line form point 1 to point 2.- Use Esc key to exit action |
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Parallels Spaced Apart =-3.2 (minus) Number of Parallels=3 |
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Go to Apertures ToolSelect Square windowDraw new building Opening from point 1 to point 2. |
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Go to 3d view of Ground floorSelect the last created window |
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In the properties of the window modify the following dataHeight =3Frame width=0.05Sill height =0Mullion Position=2.4Mullion width=0.05 |
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Go to floorplan view and copy paste last window using Ctrl+C & Ctrl+VMove window by using corner points of the window to the reference linesRepeat this another time so you have total of 3 windows. |
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Copy the last window and move it to the balcony. |
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Select Standard window and putHeight=3.5Width=1.5Frame width=0.06Sill height =0 |
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Place the window in the entrance area as shown in this image and move it down to the end of the wall |
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If you go to 3d view you will see the window is cutting big part of the building. |
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From the properties of the window select the fixed cutting depth to 0.2 |
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Step-16 Using the Cutout tool
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Cutout tool is very powerful tool.Go to floorplan view of the Ground Floor and zoom to the wall that separates the corridor form the Entrance |
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Go to cutout tool and select the Rectangular cutout |
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Draw the cutout on the wall separating the corridor form the Entrance |
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The cutout has removed the wall between the two spaces.This is where useful where you want to create an opening without door. |
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Zoom to the Balcony wall |
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Select polygonal cutout |
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Draw the polygonal cutout on the outer wall of the balcony and right click to select the close polygon |
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Because cutout could be used for floor, walls, or ceiling, it is easier to do the cutout in 3d view then modify it in the floorplan view. |
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You should be having similar to this image if not, delete the cutout and redraw it in 3d view and modify it in floorplan. |
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Step-17 Inserting Room Elements
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Go to Room Elements ToolSelect Column (Round)Place it in the middle of the upper leftIf you don’t see the Reference Grid activated the view form Display Options |
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Select the column and scroll down to propertiesPutWidth = 0.6Length = 0.6Segments = 50 (to make the column smooth, more surfaces could increase time calculation). |
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Use CTRL+C and CTRL+V to copy and paste the column to get total of 4 in the center of the Grids.Use move manipulator to move the columns |
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Step-18 Inserting Luminaries
The following luminaire will be used for this tutorial.You can follow the direct link , if link is broken then go to ERCO website and use the search box. | ||
Type | Article Number | Direct link to download ULD data for ERCO website |
DownlightOval flood | ERCO 83313 | http://www.erco.com/products/indoor/recessed-c-l/quadra-5420/en/artno-1.php?KEY=1083313000&TU=1&LANG=2057&TUR=1&ARTR=1283313101– |
DownlightWide flood | ERCO 83233 | http://www.erco.com/products/indoor/recessed-c-l/quadra-5420/en/artno-1.php?KEY=1083233000&TU=1&LANG=2057&TUR=1&ARTR=1283233101– |
SpotlightNarrow Spot | ERCO 41016 | http://www.erco.com/products/indoor/recessed-spot/quintessence-round-5492/en/artno-1.php?KEY=1041016000&TU=1&LANG=2057&TUR=1&ARTR=1241016103— |
Ceiling washlights | ERCO 33449 | http://www.erco.com/products/indoor/wall-mounted-l/trion-171/en/artno-1.php?KEY=1033449000&TU=1&LANG=2057&TUR=1&ARTR=1233449101 |
Façade Luminaire | ERCO 33532 | http://www.erco.com/33532 |
Façade Luminaire | ERCO 34171 | http://www.erco.com/34171 |
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Download the ULD Data for the above luminaires. |
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After downloading inset the luminaire as explained in Tutorial 4 step-61 |
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TipsClick on Select button on Luminaires ToolIf you have many luminaries you can right click and delete the History.You can also make the view bigger by adjusting the bar at the lower left corner. |
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Go to Light ModeSelect Luminaire toolClick on SelectWrite 83233 in the search box |
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Draw rectangular arrangements to cover the tables area as shown in the side image.Put the grid linesX=8Y=2 |
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Click on Automatic Arrangements for spaces and select Office 1Repeat this action forOffice 2Office 3Training Room |
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Select the active luminaire to be Trion Ceiling washlightDraw line arrangement at the back wall of the Open Plan Office.Make quantity as 12Click on Rotate to make luminaires inside the room. |
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Select the active luminaire to 41016Draw circular arrangement around one of the column.If you can’t draw it then hide the Reference line form Display Option, then draw the circle arrangement. |
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Scroll down to property and makeQuantity = 4Radius = 0.425 |
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Select the Right and Left luminaire.Make sure you are still on Copy & Arrange toolCenter Y |
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Use CTRL+C and CTRL+V to copy and paste the luminaires arrangements to get total of 4 in the center of the columns.Use move manipulator to move the luminaires arrangements. |
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Step-19 Duplicate Story
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Click inside the text and change the names of the floor to first floor and 2nd floor |
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Go to 3d view of the site view which is named as ST5, you should be having same as this image. |
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Step-20 Modifying the Floors
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Repeat the last step for the cutout in the 2nd floor to get a second Balcony. |
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Select all the spotlights around the column in the ground floor only and delete them. |
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Select only one column in the ground floor and click on Scale Manipulator,Scale the column to the ceiling of the first floor by moving the mouse up in Z axis. |
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Select all the windows in the 2nd floor and delete them. |
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Go to 2nd floor Room View of the Entrance, Floor plan view.Select assessment ZonesSelect the Entrance Room and change the name to be Multi-Purpose Hall |
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Step-21 Creating Cutout in the Facade
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Create another Cutout following points 1,2 & 3activate Limit Cutting Depth and make it 0.15Modify propertiesPosition-2.5,-17,1.7Size 0.3,3 |
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Create another Cutout following points 1,2 & 3activate Limit Cutting Depth and make it 0.15Modify propertiesPosition 2.5,-17,1.7Size 0.3,3 |
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Go to front view to make sure your cutout are made in straight lines if not modify them |
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Step-22 Inserting luminaries in the facade
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The location of the luminaire should same as this image. |
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Place 4 Kubus Luminaire in the two balcony |
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Step-23 Inserting dimension & text
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Go to front view place dimension to show the height of the Trion Washlight form floor. |
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You can add Marital as explained in Tutorial 4 and add other Furniture to get similar like the following images
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You can download a PDF file for this Tutorial @
DIALux evo Tutorial-5 PDF file Creating A complete interior and exterior Project
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Very nice Ezzat! Keep it up!
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Nice article, you are great.
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You cannot Imagine my thanks Ezzat.
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Hello Ezzat,
Well done, can I or yourself put a link to confluence?
Best regards from your ERCO CE colleague.
Rudy
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Very nicely explained.would like to know if thr is any youtube video for this?
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Very nice article.is there a youtube video showing it.
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unfortunately no
there is only this text tutorial
I don’t think a video would be useful to do a complete project yourself, I think it is only useful to give some tips not steps to do a project.
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Do i need to create the whole building when i’m having a autocad 3D of the same.i imported the 3D in to dialux evo and tried working on it,but do i need to make the whole building again when i already have a 3D.How do i work on a autocad 3D?
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Reblogged this on de arquitectura, creo. and commented:
Creación de un proyecto lumínico con DIALux.
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السلام عليكم الاخ عزات اود ان اسال كيف يمكن ان اضيف شركة شرايدر الى الديالكس مع الاحترام
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Very good tutorial! Can you upload the DWG for the building in tutorial?
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if I go to the storey and building construction tool on step 12, I am not able to see the reference line I drew. Thanks for this tut by the way. It;s great.
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I’m having the same problem. Has anyone able to solve this?
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I’m having the same problem. Has anyone able to solve this?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Zumtobel
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I think Video Tutorial will be great for the beginners. But This is also very Good. Keep it Up.
Thanks
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Nice post Ezzat. Very useful!,
Could you tell us which software do you prefer for exterior lighting modelling?
Thanks.
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Eng Ezzat kindly can you please upload the CAD files to make this project?
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you’re the man, Ezzat 🙂
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THNXXXXXX ALOT MR EZZAT :))
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Thanks for your good job Ezzat.
Could you upload your dwg file for this tutorial?
Thanks in advance
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Very ggod job Ezzat.
Could you tel us, where do you found 3d object like the car or tree??
Thanks
Best regards
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when I was draw reference line it was disappeared after draw new building.
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I’m having this problem as well. Was anyone able to solve it?
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Hey! I simply want to give a huge thumbs up for the nice info you have
right here on this post. I shall be coming back to your weblog for more soon.
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I love to disseminate understanding that I’ve built up through the year to help improve team efficiency.
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Dear sir ,
first of all I thank you for your kindness and would you pleas send me the same CAD file you are working with so that I can do the exactly as your steps ..& by way the Light Visualisation did not work with me ?
with my full respects munir.khazragy@yahoo.com
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Dear Ezzat,
can you send me same CAD file you are working with so that I can do the exactly as your steps i hope hear from you soon
My Email rajabashir72@gmail.com
Thanks & Regards
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Dear Ezzat,
can you send me same CAD file you are working with so that I can do the exactly as your steps i hope hear from you soon
My Email rajabashir72@gmail.com
Thanks & Regards
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There is no cad file
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شكراً
إن شاء الله تتم الفائدة
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Excellent way of telling, and fastidious piece of writing to obtain data on
the topic of my presentation subject, which i am going to present in college.
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Thanks for your marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading it, you may be a great author.I will remember to bookmark your blog and will come
back down the road. I want to encourage you continue
your great job, have a nice holiday weekend!
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Very informative blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing. bgeddedkeeea
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السلام عليكم.
حصلت عندي مشكلة.. بعد ما رسمت المبنى وعملت الأبواب والنوافذ وصممت بعض عناصر الغرف،وعملت طابق ثاني وسقف، فجأة اختفت كل الحوائط من الدور الأول.. ما الحل لاسترجاع الحوائط ؟؟ وشكرًا
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Thanks a lot for your hard work nd usefull information . Could you plz help me out as i am the beginner in dialux evo .
How i can create raised floor nd how to change its material in dialux evo .
How i can change the wall to glass wall of a room in dialux evo .
How Can i change the building boundary layout in dialux evo like we do in lower version 4.12 by using edit room geometry
Waiting for your helpfull response
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nice artical
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Awesome! Thanks for sharing.. Its a great help!! Thank you!
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Hi, can u please explain the steps to include boundary wall and exterior floor elements along with the building designing for light calculation
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hi,.. tnx for this subject… i very veryyyyy need to project (dlx file) for dialux 4.12 plz plz help me. tnx
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I did all modelling as your instruction and imported lighting but when I come to calculation part then gives me error, honestly I do not understand where is my mistake. Can you help me with this?
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Eng. Ezzat , firstly I want to thank you for all your efforts to learn us . Secondly I have DiaLux evo 8.1 and this version doesn’t contain the Drawings Tool . Could you help me to continue establishing the project .
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