
Autodesk Forma – Sun Hours Analysis tool is a powerful feature that enables designers, architects, and urban planners to assess how much sunlight different parts of a building or site will receive. This analysis is crucial for optimising the design to improve energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and overall sustainability. Here’s how you can set up and run a Sun Hours Analysis in Autodesk Forma:
Step 1: Prepare Your Model
Before you start the Sun Hours Analysis, ensure that your model is fully prepared:
A) Complete the 3D Model:
Make sure that you’re building, or site model is fully developed with all relevant elements such as walls, roofs, windows, and surrounding structures.
B) Set the Location:
Accurately set the geographic location of your project in Autodesk Forma, as this affects the sun’s path and thus the analysis results.

Step 2: Access the Sun Hours Analysis Tool
A) Navigate to the Analysis Tools:
Open Autodesk Forma and load your project.
In the toolbar, look for the Analysis section and select Sun Hours.
B) Choose Analysis Parameters:
Period: Select the specific period you want to analyse, such as a particular day, month, or season. This is essential for understanding how sunlight exposure varies over time.
Time of Day: You can also refine the analysis to specific times of day if you’re interested in morning, afternoon, or evening sun exposure.

Step 3: Configure the Sun Hours Analysis
A) Set Sun Path Settings:
Adjust the sun path settings based on your project’s location. Autodesk Forma uses this information to simulate the sun’s movement across the sky accurately.
You can modify the azimuth and altitude angles if necessary to reflect specific conditions.
B) Define the Surfaces or Areas of Interest:
Select the surfaces (walls, roofs, ground, etc.) or specific areas of your model that you want to analyse. You can do this by clicking directly on the elements in your model.
This step is important for focusing the analysis on critical parts of your design, such as facades or outdoor spaces.
Step 4: Run the Analysis
A) Start the Analysis:
Once all settings are configured, click on the Run Analysis button. Autodesk Forma will process the data and generate the results based on your input parameters.
B) Review the Results:
The results are displayed as a colour-coded overlay on your model, indicating the number of sun hours different parts of the model received. Warm colours (reds and oranges) typically indicate more sun exposure, while cool colours (blues and greens) show areas with less sunlight.

Step 5: Interpret and Use the Results
A) Assess Sunlight Distribution:
Analyse the sunlight distribution across your model. Look for areas that may be too exposed (which might lead to overheating) or too shaded (which could require more artificial lighting).
B) Make Design Adjustments:
Based on the analysis, consider making design adjustments to improve energy efficiency and comfort. For example, you might adjust window sizes, add shading devices, or reposition parts of the building to optimize sunlight exposure.
C) Document and Share:
Save your analysis results and include them in your project documentation. These insights are valuable for client presentations and for meeting regulatory requirements.

Step 6: Re-run Analysis After Design Changes
If you make any significant changes to your design, it’s a good idea to re-run the Sun Hours Analysis to ensure the modifications achieve the desired sunlight exposure.
Step 7: Utilise the inspect tool
With the Inspect Tool enabled, click on the area of the model you wish to examine in detail. For example, you can click on the façade of a building, a roof surface, or outdoor spaces like a courtyard or terrace. The tool will give you detailed information about the sun hours on that surface, showing how much sunlight it will receive based on the time period selected

Conclusion
Autodesk Forma’s Sun Hours Analysis offers architects and urban designers an invaluable resource for creating sustainable and energy-efficient buildings. By providing detailed insights into the amount of sunlight a building or urban area will receive throughout the day, this tool empowers designers to make smarter decisions about the orientation, form, and layout of their projects.
The data derived from Sun Hours Analysis enables the optimisation of building features such as window placement, shading devices, and even the selection of materials, which can improve occupant comfort while reducing reliance on artificial lighting and HVAC systems.
Incorporating Sun Hours Analysis early in the design process helps architects address key environmental factors before construction begins, ensuring that projects are not only compliant with energy regulations but also more sustainable in the long term.
Additionally, this tool facilitates better communication between stakeholders by providing clear visualisations and data-driven evidence to support design choices, which can improve collaboration and streamline decision-making. In an era where sustainability is becoming a core requirement for building projects, Autodesk Forma’s Sun Hours Analysis equips professionals with the tools they need to meet both regulatory demands and client expectations.
By optimising a project’s relationship with sunlight, architects can enhance the environmental performance of their designs, reduce energy consumption, and ultimately contribute to the creation of healthier, more liveable spaces. As part of a holistic design approach, Sun Hours Analysis can be a game-changer in modern architectural practice, offering long-term benefits for both the built environment and its inhabitants

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