Help Center Design Tool
FAQs: 3D Design Tool
Published on 8 May 2023
How do I convert a 2D Simplified design to a 3D Advanced Design?
In order to convert a 2D Simplified design to a 3D design for enhanced features, navigate to the Design Tool Settings on the top right of the page. The icon is a cube located at the top right of the screen.
You will now see the additional icons that give access to enhanced features like 3D Modelling, Auto detect of trees and obstructions, and shading calculations.
How do I adjust the imagery after the project is created? How do I pan across the image and see the dates of athe images?
To change the selected imagery for your design, click the Change Imagery icon on the top of the page.
Once you are on this menu, you will see the option to select a map provider, capture date, adjust the zoom level, as well as pan left or right of the image. Make sure to select the correct settings for the new imagery and then click Proceed.
Where do I find a list of video guides?
Please view the Solargraf Training Packagefor the 3D Design tool. This is a step-by-step video guide.
You can find a list of video guides by going to the Support page.
Once you are on the Support page, click Training videos for our library of short videos.
What do the icons mean and what do they do?
Please see the Navigation Guide for a breakdown of the icons on the 3D Design Tool and the keyboard shortcuts.
How do I download reports from the 3D Design Tool?
To download reports from the 3D Design Tool, click the download button on the top right of the page.
You can download a Roof Report PDF, Shade Report, DWG file, as well as Hourly and Monthly Production Reports.
How do you edit an array after it is placed? Are there any shortcuts I can use?
To edit an array after it is placed in the drawing, click the Select tool and click on the array you would like to edit. You will then see a menu pop-up on the left hand side. You can edit the array properties such as the selected panel, orientation, tilt relative to pitch, mounting type, as well as the selected inverter.
As a shortcut, you can click the letter S on your keyboard to access the select tool.
From here you can click and drag the blue nodes to expand or reduce your array, or left click hold and drag to move the entire array.
From here you can click and drag the blue nodes to expand or reduce your array, or left click hold and drag to move the entire array.
How do I add losses, is this a default setting and can I edit it per project?
You can create default loss profiles by configuring this under your company Settings. To access the default losses, go to the company Settings page, scroll down to Design Settings and click the pencil icon next to Default System Losses.
Under Default System Losses, you will be able to configure annual or monthly losses for your projects. You can create multiple loss profiles for different geographical locations.
To edit the system losses for an individual project, go to the Solar Design tab and click on Design Tool Settings. Then click the Losses tab under which you will be able to edit the individual losses or select an existing template.
How do you create multiple proposal options in the New Design Tool?
To clone a design option on the new design tool, first click Designs on the top of the page. Under Designs, select Clone Design Option.
You will then see a pop-up prompting you to enter the cloned option's name. Enter the name and click Clone.
You will be able to clone the proposal multiple times, but only three project options can be live on the web quote sent to the homeowner.
Troubleshooting
How to correct an uneven dimension or roof line?
To correct an uneven roof line you can click on the applicable line and drag the nodes to change the dimension. Alternatively, after clicking a line, you can set the dimensions manually or you can remove it by clicking Delete Roof Edge.
What is the azimuth?
The azimuth is measured in degrees, representing the angle between your roof and true north. This horizontal coordinate defines the Sun's relative direction along the local horizon, whereas the solar zenith angle (or its complementary angle solar elevation) defines the Sun's apparent altitude.How do I adjust an incorrect azimuth in the design?
To correct an azimuth in the design, use the Select tool and click into the facet. A menu will pop-up on the left hand side that will allow you to rotate the azimuth. The azimuth is represented in the drawing by the yellow roofline and a blue box with an arrow.
The roof I am working on has an inverted azimuth? What do I do?
To invert a selected azimuth, select the facet using the Select tool. Then, toggle on the Invert Azimuth option.
What do if the 3D model does not render correctly?
If the 3D model is not rendered correctly, return to the Roof Design tab and select the individual facets to review their settings. Make sure that the correct pitches and azimuths are added, and that walls are added in the correct places on the roof.
How to change the height of stories?
To change the height of the stories, click into the roof facet while viewing it in 3D. This will show a pop-up on the left hand side of the page which will allow you to adjust the story height as well as the height from the ground. You can alternatively drag the purple cone up/down to adjust the story height manually.
Uploading your own imagery, what do you support? eg, blueprints, drone images. How do you set the scale?
When uploading your own imagery, you can upload an image file. To do so, drag and drop your file under 'Upload my own imagery' or click on 'browse' to search in your device for the image required.
Once you have completed the utility and tariff information as well as the consumption profile, click on Create Design. Next you will be asked to trace the roof facets, select an eave or ridge, and then set the length of the line. The final step will determine the scale of your image.
LiDAR is not available, what do I do?
LiDAR data is normally used to detect the pitch of the roof, and height of obstructions, roof and trees. If LiDAR data is not available, users can estimate the height and pitch of the roof and objects by using the street view in the satellite imagery.
Can we specifiy on Solargraf when a battery will be used for Peak Shaving Only, not back up (No IQ Controller and no Priority load panel)?
Currently, we do not specifically support modeling a battery in Peak Shaving only mode. However, similar results can be achieved by selecting the Savings or Self Consumption battery mode as these operate the battery to offset demand during peak demand times.
Do we have "demand off-set" for battery modeling in Solargraf?
To offset demand during battery usage, set the battery mode to Self-Consumption.
Can I reposition the lidar data within the design tool?
You may need to adjust the Lidar data for properties with uneven terrain, where lidar data might visually appear displaced against objects in the design tool. You can do so by going to Solar Design and selecting the eye icon (Toggle drawing labels visibility), you will see the 'View States' menu appear to your right.
Select Point Cloud or Mesh and use the toggles to move the placement of the data in the horizontal, vertical and axial offset.
The lidar mesh feature allows users to view the lidar data (3D data used to estimate the height of various objects in the design) as a "mesh" - a continuous surface - rather than only as a "point cloud" - a series of spheres that represent each data point.
It is generally recommended to use the mesh, and this better helps users to align the height of various objects to the lidar, or to verify that each object has been correctly modeled according to the shape of the lidar.
Is your shading analysis Solargraf NREL Certificatied?
Yes, the shading analysis generated by Solargraf is now certified by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). To read the full report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), you can visit: nrel.gov/docs/fy24osti/87412.pdf