7.5 Add Windows

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The Add Windows feature allows windows to be created on the Revit model directly from the application.  To use this feature, either the Spatial Elements or Building Elements option may be used when opening the application for model analysis.

These windows may have custom dimensions and glazing specifications and will use the application’s own window families but these may be later changed for other window types with similar thermal properties.  Guardian Glass products may be chosen from the list provided so that the windows created will use these assemblies.

The Add Windows feature only becomes available when a solid wall is selected from the Revit model.  If there is glazing present on this Surface already, this feature may not be available.

Adding Windows using FenestraPro for Revit

When the Add Windows button is first clicked, the application’s glazing family will be loaded into the Revit project (a message window will advise of this).  The button should then be clicked again to begin the window creation process.  If this feature has been used before and the glazing family is already loaded, the Add Windows dialog window will open immediately.

There are 4 steps to creating windows using this feature.

  1. Set the method for calculating the number of windows required.  This will be either Target Solar Load, Maximum Solar Load or Target Percentage Glazing.

If you input a value into one box and then click on another method, the one that is currently checked will be used.  The unchecked methods, even if they have a value in the box, will be ignored.

  1. The Window Dimensions should be input (Width, Height and Sill)
  2. The Glazing Specification should be selected
  3. Click on the Preview Windows button to view the proposed new glazing

Note: Specification and Dimensions may be later adjusted and the Preview Windows button used again to see changes.

A suitable Façade should be selected on the Revit model where windows are to be created.  This Façade may be selected by highlighting the wall on the model itself or from the Façade Navigator.  When you select a wall on the model, all Surfaces on that model face will be selected in the Façade Navigator.  You may only wish to select one or two Surfaces. If this is the case, uncheck some Surfaces in the Façade Navigator or Charts.

You may also select the desired Surfaces from the Facade Navigator directly, if you know the Surface numbers or by watching the highlighting on the model.

Setting parameters for window creation

As a basis for window creation, Target Solar Load, Maximum Solar Load, or Target Percentage Glazing should be set. The window dimensions and separation distances should then be set, or the Equally Spread button can be used to separate the windows.

Note: the number of windows on the Surface may prevent your input for Window Separation being used if it is too wide. For example, if you have 5 windows on the Surface and you wish to have a separation between each window of 3 feet, this may not be possible and the value will adjust in the input box to one which can be accommodated.

In the image below, even though a value of 4 feet was input, only a maximum distance of 1.25 feet is possible between the windows.

Viewing Windows on the model Surfaces

You may also select Surfaces independently in the Generate Windows dialog and apply settings just for that Surface. In the example shown, Surface 1 and Surface 36 may be selected separately, and different settings applied to each.

Glazing specification can also be set here, and the windows may then be previewed (Choose Preview Surface to see display only that Surface whose Tab is currently highlighted or choose Preview Windows to show all window instances). Each Surface will have its own tab, and windows on this façade alone can be modified separately from those on other façades by setting the dimensions, quantity, and separation distances.

The required glazed openings with these settings are then written to the Revit model using the Create Windows button. The application will then update by including these changes and display them in the Charts.  Please wait for the results to be updated and for calculations to complete.

Please use the Refresh button to update the results when you have finished creating windows.

Viewing Windows on the model Surfaces

The windows generated are window types that are provided with the application and the Type will include the name of the Guardian Glass selected.  These windows can be resized or the dimensions can be modified as normal in Revit’s Properties Palette.  The windows may be replaced by other window types that are loaded in Revit.  The replacement windows should contain similar dimensions and thermal properties to satisfy the target goals of window creation.

You may reverse the window creation by clicking on the Undo button in Revit which will return the model to the previous state.

You will see the new windows listed in the Façades tab and may click on the entry to highlight it on the model.

Writing the windows to the Revit model

Note: If an adjacent Curtain Wall/ Glazing is very close to the solid wall (abutting) or an internal wall is abutting the solid wall, ‘Add Windows’ may not be available or the glazing created may have issues being identified.  Adjacent glazing should be temporarily moved back 1 foot / 300mm away from the adjacent solid wall to allow this function to operate.  This is due to the edges of the solid wall (where windows are to be placed) being too close to existing glazing and the joint condition cannot be verified.

Note: The windows created will be a window family provided with the application. Thermal properties for these windows will depend on the Guardian Glass selected and Analytical Properties will display in Edit Type.

If Windows are created and then deleted – please use the Refresh button to update the Energy Model reference since these windows will remain in the Surfaces list and will need to be removed.  Any time geometry is modified on the model – the current Energy Model will need to be updated to reflect the current model condition.

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