8.1.4 Calculation Zone Parameters

Calculation Zones are often placed at some level above grade (workplane The plane at which work is usually done, and on which the illuminance is specified and measured. height). While this can certainly be accomplished by choosing the correct coordinates Location information usually provided in terms of (X,Y) or (X,Y,Z) components along Cartesian axes. when entering the Calculation Zone parameters, the Height field provides an alternative method. When a Height value is entered, the points in a Calculation Zone will be displaced perpendicularly from the working plane A two-dimensional and flat object. (plane A two-dimensional and flat object. of the crosshairs Two thin, intersecting, orthogonal lines affiliated with the mouse pointer in the Design Environment. The crosshairs are used to pinpoint locations in the Design Environment and provide a visual cue to the plane in which the mouse pointer is moving via color.) in the direction nearest the point of view. For horizontal Calculation Zones this will typically be in the direction of the positive Z-axis as would be commonly desired.

Rectangular and Polygonal See Polygon. Calculation Zones result in an array of points and thus, spacing values must be entered for each dimension of the array. In the case of a Line, calculation points are spaced with the specified increment along the path of the Line.

Color can be selected from the Properties tab A user interface object found in the Ribbonbar or Sidebar comprised of graphic and text buttons grouped based on function. in the Ribbonbar that will automatically be shown. This selection modifies the points and the associated numerical text. See Using the Color Dialog for information on selecting Color.

The Point Style for a Calculation Zone can be chosen at creation. Clicking the button initiates the drop-down graphical menu that illustrates the available Point Styles at right.

Precision specifies how many decimal places should be shown for the Calculation Zone. Clicking the button initiates the drop-down menu A menu option revealed by left-clicking the mouse on an arrow shown on certain toolbar buttons. In Visual, the arrow is usually at the bottom of the button. to allow for the selection of 0 to 3 digits. It is not possible to display more than 3 digits because it is beyond the accuracy of photometric Referring to a data file containing information related to the photometric distribution of lighting equipment. Valid files of this type typically have a .IES extension and adhere to the format outlined in IES LM-63. testing in most cases.

The Offset Points checkbox tells Visual to either center the grid of calculation points (checked) or to start spacing in the lower left corner (the corner with the smallest x, y, and/or z coordinates Location information usually provided in terms of (X,Y) or (X,Y,Z) components along Cartesian axes. if creation occurs outside the x-y plane A two-dimensional and flat object.), which is likely to leave space between the last points and the edges of the boundary.