Autodesk LIGHTSCAPE, Manual

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Refining Geometry 6
82
Lightscape
the same geometric description. If you make a
change to the geometry or any attribute of a block,
every instance of that block in the model inherits the
change. Light fixtures are represented by a special
type of block called a luminaire, which is a block to
which you assigned photometric properties. Blocks
and luminaires can be nested, meaning a block may
contain other blocks within it.
• Layers are used to manage the large number of
blocks and surfaces that can exist in a model. Use
layers to break models into logical groupings. For
example, you can associate all surfaces that make up
a particular room with a particular layer. Layers can
be turned on or off, allowing you to store multiple
versions of the same model. For example, you can
store two alternate furniture layouts for a room on
separate layers.
Solution Model Structure
During the Solution stage, Lightscape alters the
structure to optimize it for radiosity processing.
Blocks are exploded into individual surfaces and you
can no longer manipulate the geometry, though you
can delete surfaces.
To change the geometry, you must open the original
Preparation file (.lp), make the changes, and then
regenerate another Solution file (.ls).
During the Solution stage, materials and layers
behave in the same way as they do during the Prepa-
ration stage.
For more information on the recommended work-
flow, see Chapter 3, “Workflow.” For more
information on creating a Solution file, see Chapter
11, “Radiosity Processing.”
Working with Layers
Use layers to organize the surfaces and blocks in
your model. Show or hide layers to work on a subset
of your model.
Layers have two purposes:
• You can facilitate the process of preparing surfaces
for processing by selectively turning layers on or off.
• You can use layers as a way of storing various alter-
natives to a design solution. For example, if you want
to test various luminaire layouts in a room, you can
set up alternatives on distinct layers. You can then
initiate and run various solutions using the alternate
layer options.
Using the Layers Table
The Layers table contains a list of all the layers
defined in the current model and indicates their
state.
To display the Layers table:
Click the Layers table button on the Tables toolbar.
Note: If the Tables toolbar is not displayed, choose
Edit | Tables | Layers, or choose Tools | Toolbars,
and select Tables from the dialog that appears.
Layers table button