Description

ATTMA Envelope Area Training – Beginner

This 1-day course is meticulously designed to equip air tightness testers with the knowledge and understanding necessary to model envelope areas and volumes in 3D using SketchUp software. Traditionally, calculating these areas and volumes has been a manual, labour-intensive process. This course provides a modern, software-based alternative that can significantly enhance accuracy and efficiency.

Prior Knowledge

Before attending the course, delegates should have a foundational understanding of how to calculate envelope areas and volumes as required for air tightness testing. This background knowledge is essential for grasping the course content effectively.

While it is not mandatory, it is highly recommended that participants have at least downloaded SketchUp and familiarized themselves with some of its basic tools prior to attending the course. This preliminary experience will help delegates get up to speed quickly and make the most of the training.

Course Content

The course is structured to provide a comprehensive introduction to using SketchUp for modelling envelope areas and volumes. The key topics covered include:

1. Setting Up a Template for Air Tightness Testing: Participants will learn how to create and customize templates specifically for air tightness testing. This involves setting the appropriate units, layers, and other parameters to ensure a streamlined workflow.
2. Importing Drawings and Scaling Them to Size: This section covers the techniques for importing various types of architectural drawings into SketchUp and accurately scaling them to size. Participants will learn to handle different file formats and ensure precise dimensioning of their models.
3. Modelling a Building to Calculate Envelope Areas and Volumes: The core of the course focuses on the step-by-step process of modelling buildings in SketchUp. Participants will use SketchUp’s robust set of tools to create detailed 3D models and perform accurate calculations of envelope areas and volumes.

Exercises

Practical exercises form an integral part of the course, allowing participants to apply their learning in realistic scenarios. These exercises include:

1. Modelling a Simple Building: This exercise helps participants get comfortable with the basic tools and techniques for creating a straightforward building model.
2. Modelling a Building with a Bay Window: This exercise introduces more complexity by adding a bay window, teaching participants how to handle protruding elements and additional details in their models.
3. Modelling a Building with an Integral Garage, Differing Footprints by Storey, and a Pitched Roof with a Dormer Window: This advanced exercise challenges participants to model a building with multiple complexities, including varying footprints, an integral garage, and a dormer window on a pitched roof. This comprehensive task consolidates all the skills learned during the course.

Equipment

To participate effectively in the course, delegates are required to bring the following items:

• Laptop: A reliable laptop capable of running SketchUp smoothly. The laptop should have sufficient processing power and memory to handle 3D modeling tasks.
• Mouse with a Scroll Wheel: Essential for navigating and modelling in SketchUp, a mouse with a scroll wheel greatly enhances the ease of use and precision.
• Scientific Calculator or Smartphone: Necessary for performing various calculations during the course, a scientific calculator or a smartphone with calculator functionality will be useful.

Conclusion

This 1-day SketchUp course is an invaluable opportunity for air tightness testers to transition from manual calculations to a sophisticated, software-based method. By learning how to model complex envelope areas and volumes in 3D, participants will gain a significant edge in their field, enhancing both the accuracy and efficiency of their work. The course combines theoretical instruction with practical exercises, ensuring that delegates leave with a solid, applicable understanding of SketchUp’s capabilities. The recommended prior experience with SketchUp will help participants hit the ground running, but the course is designed to accommodate a range of skill levels, ensuring that all attendees can benefit and achieve proficiency by the end of the day.

By the end of the course, participants will have a thorough understanding of how to set up templates, import and scale drawings, and model complex buildings to calculate envelope areas and volumes accurately. This knowledge will not only improve their current practices but also open up new possibilities for more sophisticated and efficient air tightness testing methodologies.

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