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Since PVsyst version 6.60, it is possible to import shading scenes from other CAD software.

 

Allowed file formats

-        DAE : The Collada file format can be exported from many CAD software as it is an open format. It is available as an export format in Sketchup free version.

-        3DS : Less used but still an export option in many tools

-        PVC : PV Collada file, open-source format derived from DAE format to include data about the PV modules and tables

 

How to

In order to import such a file, use the menu "File / Import / Import a 3D scene (3DS, DAE, PVC)".
Once imported, the new objects will be integrated in the current scene. The import will not clear the scene like the Helios3D one.

 

After a successful import, the a dialog summarizing what was found in the imported file will appear.

 

Scene details

This panel sums up the number of imported objects, and their total numbers of vertices and faces.

 

It also allows you to set the input unit in order to scale objects correctly in the PVsyst scene (currently always in meters).
When importing DAE files, PVsyst will try to extract the unit from the file and set it automatically.

 

The import will be automatically translated to the origin (0,0,0) of the scene.You can however modify the translation parameters by unchecking 'Automatic' and by editing X, Y and Z.

 

Importing PV fields

The second part of this dialog allows you to pick up one or more materials used in the imported scene, and convert the faces which use them to PV fields in PVsyst. It will not appear if you imported a PVC file as PV information is already defined in the format.

The combobox allows you to define which kind of PV field must be created in PVsyst after the import : fixed tables or trackers. If you select a tracker type then you will be able to specify the tracking parameters to apply depending on the type.

This way it becomes really easy to import full PV scenes directly from other CAD software.

 

Import from Autodesk AutoCAD

Importing from AutoCAD requires an additional step because it can't export directly to DAE.
You can either export your scene to Sketchup first and then to DAE, or you can use a tool provided by Autodesk and called FBX Converter.

FBX Converter allows you to convert an FBX file generated from AutoCAD (and some other Autodesk products) to some other formats including DAE.
This way it is possible to import your scene in PVsyst.

Limitations

Because PVsyst is used to simulate the shadings on PV fields its performance is directly related to the complexity of the shading scene.
Importing very detailed scenes from Sketchup or any other software is possible but not recommended as it will make the calculation time grow exponentially.

PVsyst will not be able to simplify objects geometry but you can still :

-        Delete useless objects from the scene
-        Disable shadow casting for these objects in order to speed the calculations up

Anyway, even if PVsyst can now handle and display large scenes as it uses hardware acceleration, we recommend that you simplify your scenes before importing them in PVsyst.