In this tutorial, you will learn how to start a sun study in Revit, edit the sun path settings, add labels to the view, and then create a diagram animation.

Screen capture of the result (x0.5 Speed).

A sun path diagram is a graphical representation of the position and movement of the sun at a specific location and time. It can help your audience understand the solar potential and shading effects of your building design.

Each step complements the other to achieve the above result.

Create Solar Study

Details: Create different types of solar studies, such as stills (single images) or multi-day (animation) that show changes over time.

A solar study is a way to visualize how natural light and shade affect the exterior and interior of projects.

Steps

  1. Open a 3D view.
  2. In the View Control bar, click the white ball icon to enable shadows.
  3. Click the Sun icon > click “Sun Path On”.
solar study in revit
You can use the on-screen sun controls to change the position.

✨ Tip: Use a section box to reduce unnecessary elements in the view.

Adjust Sun Settings

Details: Customize how the sun and shadows are displayed in your solar study. You can change the study duration, location, time, and ground plane height.

Steps

  1. In the View Control bar, click the Sun icon.
  2. Click Sun Settings.
  3. In the Solar study panel, select Single Day.
  4. Change the Date, Time, and Ground Floor Plane settings.
  5. Click OK.
sun settings
  • Preset – Select a session from the list or create a new one.
    • Still: Set a fixed date and time for your solar study.
    • Single Day: Set a range of times for a single day.
    • Multi-Day: Set a range of dates and times for multiple days.
    • Lighting: Multiple images with unrealistic shadows from the active view.

Sun Path Diagram

Details: Display the sun path diagram in your 3D view or perspective view.

The sun path diagram shows the daily path and analemma (the figure-8-shaped curve) of the sun for each month of the year.

Steps

  1. In the View Control bar, click the Sun icon.
  2. Click Preview Solar Study.
  3. In the Options bar, click Play to see the sun path diagram in action.
solar study preview

Learn more about sun path

Ideas for Architecture Students

Some of the benefits of using a sun path diagram in architectural analysis and presentations are:

  • Determine the optimal orientation and shape of the building to maximize solar access or minimize solar heat gain, depending on the climate and design goals.
  • Design appropriate window sizes, locations and glazing types to balance natural daylighting and thermal comfort.
  • Design effective shading devices, such as overhangs, louvers, awnings, pergolas, etc., to reduce glare and unwanted solar radiation.
  • Evaluate the impact of surrounding buildings, trees and other obstructions on the solar performance of the building.
  • Visualize and communicate the solar design strategies and concepts to clients, stakeholders and reviewers.

Add Labels

Details: Add tags, text, dimensions, and other information to your 3D diagram.

Steps

  1. Lock the view.
  2. Go to the Annotate tab > Text panel > click Text (shortcut: TX).
  3. In the Leader panel, click Two Segments.
  4. Click to add the label onto an element in the view.
add labels to diagram
sun diagram with labels

Learn about more annotation symbols

Export Study Animation

Details: Create an animation of your sun path diagram.

Steps

  1. Go to the file tab > drop-down Export menu.
  2. Drop-down Images and Animations menu > click Solar Study.
  3. In the Length/Format window, check Include Time and Date Stamp.
  4. Click OK.
save as animation
  1. In the Save As window, drop-down “Files of type” to select the format.
  2. Click Save.
  3. In the Video Compression window, select “Full Frames”.
  4. Click OK.
Export a video or a gif or a set of images

Custom Background

Make your diagram pop by changing the background color of the interface. Darker colors highlight the sun and its path.

Learn how to change the background color

Animation With Path

The default animation that Revit exports does not include the sun’s path, which could be visually appealing to include. To capture a solar study animation with labels and path, you can use screen capture software.

Learn how to record your display