2.0 SPOT Project Setup

The Project Setup Page is displayed upon opening SPOT, shown in Figure 2-1. This screen allows the user to set up initial project information and access general program information.

Project Name – This field sets a name associated with the current project. A sub-directory within the parent directory will be created with this name and will contain all the data files associated with this SPOT project.

Parent Directory – This field sets a directory location selected by the user that will contain the project sub-directory. Selecting the Browse button allows the user to navigate the computer’s directory structure to find the desired parent directory.

Project Units – This pull-down menu allows the user to choose between SI (metric) and English units.

Report Type – This pull-down menu allows the user to pre-select a daylighting metric report that will be generated for the space being analyzed. Refer to ?? for more information on the various daylighting performance metric reports available. The report to view can be selected later, and multiple reports can be viewed for any SPOT model. However, by pre-selecting a report the necessary setup parameters will get automatically set, as noted by the notification window shown in Figure 2-2. Selecting LEED v4.0 will enable additional Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE) calculations during the analysis.

Begin Project – The Begin Project button takes you to the first screen, Geometry Input, and saves the file. The file will automatically be saved to the specified directory and will be named according to the project name. If, at a later time, you would like to revisit the project, find the project in the directory specified and open the macro-enabled excel file (*.xlsm) with the project name. It is up to the user to save any changes in their project from this point forward. Whatever page is active when the program is saved will be the active page upon re-opening the program. Be sure to save before closing down the program.

About SPOT – The About SPOT button displays SPOT version and development information and copyright information.

Generate License Code – The Generate License Code button displays a personalized license code number that is specific to the given Excel installation running SPOT Pro v5.X. This number is required to generate a license file and is submitted on the website when purchasing a license. Once the license file is obtained, all version of SPOT Pro v5.X will be unlocked.

Help – The Help button will open up this User Manual site in the default web browser.

Import Past Project – The Import Past Project button allows the user to import any previous version of SPOT Pro, from v4.70 to the current version. It will not work on older versions of SPOT (ie. v4.22 or older). The button will import all geometric information, advanced and material settings, and other project settings but will not import any simulation results. When the Begin Project button is pushed, this will create a new project with the current version of SPOT Pro. If the name is kept the same as the project that was imported, it will overwrite this project. If it is changed, it will make a copy of the project, but in the current version of SPOT Pro.

Typical Space Project Templates – There are several project templates of several different typical space types that can be useful for getting headstart on modeling. These are simply existing SPOT projects that can be imported using the Import Past Project button. They are located in the C:\SPOT\Projects\ directory. Templates for the following typical spaces are included with SPOT:

• Atrium – This is a model of two story atrium with a pop-up monitor above. The atrium is surrounded by interior walls and windows.
• Classroom – This is a model of a typical classroom with punched windows on the south side of the space.
• Open Office – This is a model of two structural bays of a typical open office. Cubicles exist up against a set of south facing windows.
• Private Office – This is a model of a private office with a central desk and entry doorway.
• Warehouse – This is a model of 4 structural bays in a warehouse space with 15’ O.C. aisles with 12’ high shelving in between.