HELIOS 3D Installation and Configuration Guide

HELIOS 3D Reference
Date: 2/19/2016
Table of Contents
1 Installation .................................................................................................................................................. 8
1.1 System Requirements ................................................................................................................... 8
1.2 Network Installation ....................................................................................................................... 8
1.2.1 Setting up SQL Server Access from the Net ............................................................................... 10
1.3 Local Installation ......................................................................................................................... 11
1.3.1 Selecting a Product ..................................................................................................................... 12
1.3.2 Selecting a Path .......................................................................................................................... 13
1.3.3 Selecting the Features ................................................................................................................ 14
1.3.4 Setting up SQL Server Access.................................................................................................... 14
1.3.5 Creting a new SQL Server Instance ........................................................................................... 15
1.3.6 Adding a Database to an Existing SQL Server ........................................................................... 16
1.4 Database Server Login ............................................................................................................... 17
1.5 Create Database ......................................................................................................................... 18
1.6 Licensing ..................................................................................................................................... 18
1.6.1 Important Remark for SL Keys (soft-licenses) ............................................................................ 19
1.7 First Steps ................................................................................................................................... 20
1.7.1 Configuration Helios 3D .............................................................................................................. 20
1.7.2 Setting Up AutoCAD Civil 3D ...................................................................................................... 22
1.7.2.1 Allow Civil 3D 2015 Remote Access ................................................................................. 22
1.7.3 Creating a Civil Profile ................................................................................................................. 23
1.8 Adding a Support Path and Trusted Locations ........................................................................... 25
1.9 Adding a User Account ............................................................................................................... 26
1.9.1 Login Account SQL Server.......................................................................................................... 26
1.9.2 User Account Helios3D Database............................................................................................... 29
1.9.3 User Account Helios 3D Application ........................................................................................... 30
2 General Information .................................................................................................................................. 32
2.1 Handling for Error Messages ...................................................................................................... 32
2.2 Paths and Folders of Helios 3D .................................................................................................. 32
2.3 Overview Helios 3D Components ............................................................................................... 34
2.3.1 Database Application .................................................................................................................. 34
2.3.2 Helios 3D Palette ........................................................................................................................ 37
2.4 License Management (Sentinel Admin Control Center) ............................................................. 37
2.4.1 Available Licenses ...................................................................................................................... 38
2.4.2 Licensing Issues .......................................................................................................................... 40
2.4.2.1 Waiting until Sentinel HASP is available … ...................................................................... 40
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2.4.2.2 Subscription is expired ...................................................................................................... 40
3 Database Application ............................................................................................................................... 41
3.1 Folder Structure........................................................................................................................... 41
3.2 Project Management ................................................................................................................... 42
3.2.1 Create New Project ..................................................................................................................... 46
3.2.2 Drawing Tab ................................................................................................................................ 48
3.2.2.1 Drawing Master Data ........................................................................................................ 49
3.2.3 Evaluations/Parts List Positions Tab ........................................................................................... 50
3.2.4 Other Tabs .................................................................................................................................. 51
3.3 Component Management ............................................................................................................ 51
3.3.1 New Record / Component ........................................................................................................... 51
3.3.2 New Post Definition ..................................................................................................................... 53
3.3.2.1 Creating a New Post Geometry ........................................................................................ 53
3.4 Choice Lists ................................................................................................................................. 56
3.5 User Management ....................................................................................................................... 58
3.6 Workstations................................................................................................................................ 62
3.7 System Settings .......................................................................................................................... 62
3.7.1 Parts List ..................................................................................................................................... 64
3.8 Others .......................................................................................................................................... 65
4 Helios 3D Pallet ........................................................................................................................................ 67
4.1 Sun Symbol ................................................................................................................................. 68
4.1.1 Options ........................................................................................................................................ 68
4.1.2 Properties .................................................................................................................................... 69
4.1.3 System information ..................................................................................................................... 70
4.1.3.1 System Settings ................................................................................................................ 71
4.1.3.2 User Data .......................................................................................................................... 71
4.2 Ribbon Bar .................................................................................................................................. 71
4.2.1 Export .......................................................................................................................................... 72
4.2.1.1 Posts List........................................................................................................................... 72
4.2.1.2 PVsyst ............................................................................................................................... 73
4.2.1.3 Browser View .................................................................................................................... 77
4.2.2 Line Functions ............................................................................................................................. 79
4.2.2.1 Set Line Height ................................................................................................................. 79
4.2.2.2 Adjust to DTM ................................................................................................................... 80
4.2.2.3 Fence Function ................................................................................................................. 80
4.2.2.4 Combine Lines .................................................................................................................. 81
4.2.2.5 Simplify.............................................................................................................................. 81
4.3 Project Information from the Database ....................................................................................... 81
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5 Menu Extensions in Civil 3D ..................................................................................................................... 82
5.1 Context Menu Extension ............................................................................................................. 82
5.2 Radial Menu ................................................................................................................................ 83
6 Project ...................................................................................................................................................... 86
6.1 Project Settings ........................................................................................................................... 86
6.1.1 Setting the Geographical Position / Location .............................................................................. 87
6.1.2 Definition Azimuth and Altitude ................................................................................................... 91
7 Terrain ...................................................................................................................................................... 92
7.1 Buttons of Terrain Analysis ......................................................................................................... 94
7.1.1 Color Configuration ..................................................................................................................... 95
8 Generators ................................................................................................................................................ 97
8.1 Array Generator........................................................................................................................... 97
8.1.1 Buttons of the Array Generator ................................................................................................... 99
8.1.2 New Array Definition ................................................................................................................. 100
8.1.2.1 Common Tab .................................................................................................................. 101
8.1.2.2 Rack Tab ......................................................................................................................... 103
8.1.2.3 Post Tab .......................................................................................................................... 105
8.1.2.4 Electric Tab ..................................................................................................................... 107
8.1.3 Array Drawing............................................................................................................................ 107
8.1.3.1 Visibility ........................................................................................................................... 108
8.1.4 New Module Definition .............................................................................................................. 110
8.1.5 New Rack Definition .................................................................................................................. 111
8.2 Generators – Roof Generator ................................................................................................... 115
8.2.1 Buttons of the Roof Generator .................................................................................................. 116
9 Placement ............................................................................................................................................... 118
9.1 Buttons of Structure List ............................................................................................................ 119
9.1.1 Context Menu ............................................................................................................................ 121
9.2 Area Definitions in General ....................................................................................................... 122
9.3 Areas ......................................................................................................................................... 122
9.4 Fields ......................................................................................................................................... 122
9.4.1 Placement (Field Tab) ............................................................................................................... 122
9.4.1.1 Buttons of the Field Tab .................................................................................................. 123
9.4.1.2 Filling Parameters ........................................................................................................... 126
9.4.1.3 Panel Limits..................................................................................................................... 127
9.4.1.4 Shadow ........................................................................................................................... 128
9.4.1.5 Placement Increment on Slope Exceedance .................................................................. 128
9.4.1.6 Placement Increment for Placement with a Vertical Adjustment Line ............................ 129
9.4.1.7 Array Groups ................................................................................................................... 129
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9.4.1.8 Collision Detection .......................................................................................................... 130
9.4.2 Arrays by Requirement Types (Arrays Tab) ............................................................................. 131
9.4.2.1 Buttons ............................................................................................................................ 132
9.4.2.2 Edit Component (Array) .................................................................................................. 132
9.4.2.3 Edit Parameters (Rack)................................................................................................... 132
9.4.3 Statistic ...................................................................................................................................... 134
9.4.4 Roof Planning ............................................................................................................................ 135
9.4.4.1 Buttons ............................................................................................................................ 135
9.4.4.2 Panel Component ........................................................................................................... 136
9.4.4.3 Settings ........................................................................................................................... 136
9.4.4.4 Selection Statistics .......................................................................................................... 138
9.5 Exclusion Zones ........................................................................................................................ 138
9.6 Requirement Type Zones .......................................................................................................... 138
9.6.1 Procedure for a Placement with Requirement Type Zones: ..................................................... 139
9.7 Adjustment Lines ....................................................................................................................... 140
9.7.1 Placement Behavior with Vertical Adjustment Lines ................................................................. 142
9.8 Split Lines .................................................................................................................................. 145
9.9 Shadow Objects ........................................................................................................................ 146
9.9.1 Draw / Insert Shadow Object .................................................................................................... 147
9.9.2 Register Shadow Object ........................................................................................................... 148
9.9.2.1 Remarks for Creating / Customizing Shadow Objects ................................................... 148
9.9.2.2 Modeling Example Telephone Pole ................................................................................ 149
9.9.3 Properties (Shadow Calculation)............................................................................................... 151
9.9.3.1 Buttons ............................................................................................................................ 152
9.9.3.2 Calculation Settings ........................................................................................................ 153
9.9.3.3 Shadow Calculations List ................................................................................................ 155
9.10 Horizon Line .............................................................................................................................. 155
9.10.1 Properties ............................................................................................................................. 156
9.11 Rows ......................................................................................................................................... 157
9.12 Arrays ........................................................................................................................................ 157
9.13 Placement Examples ................................................................................................................ 157
9.13.1 Single Axis Tracker .............................................................................................................. 157
10 Electricity............................................................................................................................................. 160
10.1 Needed Database Entries ......................................................................................................... 161
10.1.1 Transformer .................................................................................................................... 161
10.1.2 Inverter ........................................................................................................................... 161
10.1.3 Combiner Box ................................................................................................................. 162
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10.1.4 Cable .............................................................................................................................. 162
10.1.5 Grid ................................................................................................................................. 163

10.1.6 Table Definition .................................................................................................................... 164
10.2 Electricity Module ...................................................................................................................... 166
10.2.1 Definition – Device Hierarchy............................................................................................... 169
10.2.1.1 Additional Cable Length .................................................................................................. 172
10.2.1.2 String Definition ............................................................................................................... 175
10.2.1.3 Labeling Devices and Strings ......................................................................................... 182
10.2.2 Device Areas ........................................................................................................................ 183
10.2.3 Cable Trenches .................................................................................................................... 184
10.2.3.1 Row Trenches (automatically) ........................................................................................ 186
10.2.3.2 Row Trenches (manually) ............................................................................................... 186
10.2.4 Layout Zones ....................................................................................................................... 187
10.2.5 Selection Sets ...................................................................................................................... 189
10.2.5.1 Selection Set Parameters ............................................................................................... 191
10.2.5.2 Selection Set Changing Options ..................................................................................... 191
10.2.5.3 String Placement Options ............................................................................................... 192
10.2.6 Visualization ......................................................................................................................... 194
10.2.6.1 Visualization on Cables Tab ........................................................................................... 195
10.2.6.2 Visualization on Electrical Structure Tab ........................................................................ 202
10.2.7 Calculation of Cable Lengths ............................................................................................... 203
10.2.7.1 Single Wire / Twin Wire................................................................................................... 203
11 Evaluation ........................................................................................................................................... 206
11.1 Parameters for Alternative Shadow Calculation ....................................................................... 206
11.1.1 Buttons ................................................................................................................................. 206
11.2 Parts List ................................................................................................................................... 207
11.2.1 Buttons of the Parts List ....................................................................................................... 208
11.2.2 Create/Generate a Parts List ............................................................................................... 209
11.2.3 Placement List...................................................................................................................... 210
11.2.4 Component Parts List........................................................................................................... 210
12 Tools .................................................................................................................................................... 212
12.1 Rendering .................................................................................................................................. 212
12.1.1 Camera ................................................................................................................................ 212
12.1.2 Settings ................................................................................................................................ 214
12.2 Reports ...................................................................................................................................... 215
13 FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions ................................................................................................... 218
13.1 How works the calculation of the row distance / shadow cast? ................................................ 218
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13.2 How can I add a prototype-drawing to Helios 3D?.................................................................... 219
13.3 What does the message “This drawing was last saved by an earlier version of one of the
following products:” mean? ........................................................................................................................ 220
13.4 How can I improve the performance for huge projects? ........................................................... 221
13.5 Why does the Selection Dialog for Prototype Drawings not appear? ....................................... 222
13.6 Why are Project Number not Managed automatically? ............................................................ 222
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HELIOS 3D Reference Documentation
This documentation is an overview of all interfaces for easier familiarization.
All descriptions of dialogs are top down for reason of easy orientation. This documentation will get updated
at any time necessary and it will always be available for download in HELIOS 3D Forum as soon as possible.
1 Installation
1.1 System Requirements
Due to the enhanced performance of commercial computers, the software combination of AutoCAD Civil 3D
2015 and Helios 3D can be used on nearly every modern computer.
Minimum requirements:
 Intel Pentium IV or AMD 64 bits processor with SSE2 technology and EM64T support (only Intel)
 Microsoft Windows 7 (64 Bit) or Windows 8/8.1 (64 Bit)
 4 GB RAM
 500 MB free disc space (only installation)
 1280 x 1024 VGA display with True Color
 Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 or higher
Recommended requirements:
 Intel or AMD – 64 bits – Processor with 3,0 GHz or higher

 Windows 7 64 Bit or Windows 8/8.1
 8 GB RAM or higher
 2 GB free disc space additionally to the minimum space requirements of the installation
 2 x 1920 x 1200 screen resolution with 32 bit color depth (True Color)
 512 MB or more, OpenGL compatible graphics adapter
To use Helios 3D with a CAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2015 must be installed. To use networks, TCP/IP must be
set up.
The latest service packs for AutoCAD Civil 3D should always get installed.
Helios 3D CAD-workstations may have higher requirements according to the used version of AutoCAD Civil.
Helios 3D can be used as single workstation solution or as multi workstation network solution with a central
server. Different installation modes (Standard, User-defined) are not available.
1.2 Network Installation
Whereas the local installation only needs the SETUP.EXE from the Helios 3D Installation-DVD to be run
(see chapter “Local installation”), the network installation needs the following steps to be done first:
 An SQL Server 2000 / 2005 / 2008 needs being installed respectively made available in the net,
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before the Helios 3D installation can get started.
 All local workstations must be able to access the SQL Server from point 1. (Please read chapter
“Setting up SQL Server access from the net”)
 The Helios 3D installation has to be run by the first workstation of the net. But instead of running the
local installation, the installation path has to be changed to a network drive that connects to the
server from point 1. This procedure is needed because the setup client only runs on not server
based Windows XP or Vista operating systems. The local installation will be the base for all other
installations in the net. Please note the remarks for the net installation in chapter “Local installation”.
Figure 1: Server Installation Procedure
 All other installations of Helios 3D stations in the net should get installed by the Client Setup of the
installation from point 3, but not by the installation DVD. Therefore, please start the file
“NetworkDrive\…\Helios 3D\Client Setup\setup.exe”
for any client system. This starts the installation of a Helios 3D client.
We recommend to first installing AutoCAD Civil 3D before starting the Helios 3D installation. This proceeding
allows Helios to automatically establish a connection to AutoCAD Civil 3D. The other way is possible but
needs some settings to be manually done when configuring Helios 3D.
Information mentioned in context with AutoCAD Civil 3D (in this manual), are correspondingly valid for all
programs cooperating with Helios. Though, please note that the Helios pallets are only integrated in
AutoCAD Civil 3D.
Licensing happens by a USB-Hardlock, which has to be installed as described in section 1.6.
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1.2.1 Setting up SQL Server Access from the Net
For making the clients able to access the server over the net, three more steps have necessarily to be done
on the SQL Server.
Step 1:
First TCP/IP has to get activated in SQL Server-Configuration-Manager.
The following procedure activates TCP/IP:

 Open the Configuration-Manager
(Start / All programs / Microsoft SQL Server 2005 / Configuration tools / SQL Server-Configuration-
Manager)
 There you can find the protocols “Named Pipes” and TCP/IP under the path “SQL Server 2005-
Networkconfiguration / Protocols for ‚SQL-version’”.
Activate the two of them by right-clicking on each protocol and selecting “Activate“.
 Under “SQL Native Client-Configuration / Client protocols”, both protocols should also be activated
now. Otherwise, please activate the entries “Named Pipes“ and TCP/IP.
Step 2:
The second step is to restart the SQL-Server-Services. Please select the entry “SQL Server 2005-Services”
and restart the “SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS)” as well as the “SQL Server-Browser” by choosing the option
“Restart” after right-clicking them.
Step 3:
The third step is only needed if a firewall is in use. The following procedure describes the adding of an
exception to the Windows-Firewall for an SQL Server in Windows XP:
1. Open the “Network Connections”
(Start / Control Panel / Network and Internet Connections)
2. The entry “Windows Firewall” opens the firewall settings.
3. The tab “Exceptions” allows you to add the ports for server and browser and to add an exception for
the sqlservr.exe
The steps a to c show you how.

a) Press the <Port…> button and enter a name for the server port (e.g.: Server) and the port number
1433. Please select the „TCP“ protocol.
b) Press the <Port…> again and enter a name for the browser port (e.g.: Browser) and the port number
1434. Please select the “UDP“ protocol.
c) The button <Add Program…> allows you to add an exception for the sqlservr.exe. Please press
<Browse…> and select it in the „Open“-file dialog. The default location is “C:\Program files\Microsoft
SQL Server\90\Tools\Binn\sqlservr.exe“.
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Remark: If you want to install Microsoft SQL Server or Management Studio Express 2005 by
hand, not as part of the Helios installation, you can find the English install data, as
well as the German ones, on your Helios 3D Installation-DVD, in the folder “Tools”.
Please pay attention to the notes in the files
“readmesqlexp2005.htm”
and
“requirementssqlexp2005.htm”.
1.3 Local Installation
The installation of Helios 3D can be started by the Helios 3D-DVD.

Start your Windows system.
Backup all important data!!!
Insert the Helios Installation-DVD. The installation starts automatically. If auto boot is not active, select your
DVD drive and double-click the file SETUP.EXE to start the installation.
After selecting the program language and accepting the license agreement, the following dialogs for basic
decisions get displayed.
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1.3.1 Selecting a Product
Only if there is already a Helios 3D installation on your computer, you will see the following dialog after
starting the SETUP.EXE:
Figure 2: Product Selection
Here you can choose to install an additional version of Helios 3D or select one of the installed versions for
update.
The following dialogs offer you to select a language for the current installation and to accept the license
agreement. Please, read the license agreement thoroughly before you accept them. Please be aware of that
the installation will only continue if you accept the license agreement.
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1.3.2 Selecting a Path
Afterwards you can select a path for your installation.
Figure 3: Path Selection
For Windows XP we recommend to keep the default path “C:\Program files\...” for local installations.
Whereas for Windows 7 we recommend to change the program path, e.g. to “C:\Helios3D”, because
otherwise there will be problems with the user rights. Helios needs write access for its program path.
If you want to keep the default path for Windows 7, Helios 3D must be run with the option “Run as
administrator”.
Remark for network installations:

The server has to be permanently connected as a network drive for this step! Select the drive letter that
connects the Server with your workstation after pressing <Change…>. To create an own file for Helios 3D,
please add a filename to the path.
Example: “H:\...\Helios_3D”
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1.3.3 Selecting the Features
If there still is no Helios 3D installation on your system, you will directly reach this dialog after starting the
SETUP.EXE:
Figure 4: Feature Selection
Here you can select if a shortcut with Helios 3D should be created to start menu or/and on desktop.
During the next steps you have to set-up a Microsoft SQL Server version 2000 or higher.
1.3.4 Setting up SQL Server Access
InstallShield Wizard automatically searches for Microsoft SQL Servers. As displayed in the next figure, you
can install a new local Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition 2008 R2 instance or select an existing instance
for adding the Helios 3D database to it.
We recommend setting up Helios 3D with the “sa” account for the SQL Server to avoid future issues
concerning the user management! The “sa” user can later create additional user accounts for both,
the database and Helios if needed.
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Figure 5: SQL-Server Connection-Setup
If there is already a local SQL Server instance, which is not a later version than MS SQL Server 2008
R2 and which is named different from “SQL Helios3D”, then you can create a new local SQL Server
instance. It will automatically get named “SQL Helios3D”.
If this instance already exists, you cannot create a new instance in this step!
1.3.5 Creting a new SQL Server Instance

For new SQL Server Instances the following login data will get generated automatically (can be confirmed or
changed during setup):
User: sa
Password: Helios3D
Database: Helios3D
An additional dialog offers the possibility of changing the default password “Helios3D”.
Please note that the loss of this password entails the irrecoverable loss of essential parts of the
Helios 3D planning data!
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Figure 6: Accept or Change Password for 'sa' user Account
1.3.6 Adding a Database to an Existing SQL Server

If you want to add the Helios 3D database to an existing server, you can select that server in the next dialog.
Just hit the <Browse…> button (see Figure 7) for manually selecting an SQL Server instance.
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1.4 Database Server Login
Please enter the login data for the SQL Server in the next dialog. The default login information from above
will automatically be offered here.
Figure 7: MS SQL Server Login
You can select between accessing the SQL Server by your Windows-Authentication or by entering valid
login data into the given fields.
Remark for network installations:

A network installation needs the SQL Server from chapter “Network installation” to be selected and some
corresponding login data.
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1.5 Create Database
You can now accept the default database name “Helios3D” or enter a new unique name.
Figure 8: Naming the Database
The installation will go on with <Next > after you entered a valid database name.
1.6 Licensing
The USB dongle represents your HELIOS 3D license, which means that the loss of a dongle is equivalent to the
loss of the license! We want to suggest the availability of electronics insurances.
The delivery only includes a temporary activation (usually for 5 days) on your HL Key (dongle). Before you can use
HELIOS 3D, any dongle has to be registered and permanently activated at STÖHR+SAUER. In order to do this, please
follow the instructions below.
1. Any Helios 3D workstation as well as the license server (only network license (e.g. red HL))
needs the SafeNet driver being installed locally. The driver is automatically installed on any
workstation you run a local installation or the client setup to.
On a workstation with a copy of a Helios 3D environment or on a server you need to run the
Install.bat from the folder “Tools\Hardlock” on your installation DVD. That executes the
haspdinst.exe of the same directory.
2. Plug the dongle into a USB port of the license server or into a USB port of the workstation that
should manage the license(s).
3. Execute the SuSRUS.exe from the DVD located in the folder “Tools\Hardlock”.
4. In the SuSRUS program-window click the “Collect Information” button at the bottom.
During a Helios 3D setup, a demo license (Software - License) is activated. When activating a
Hardware - License (hardware dongle) an additional HASP file will be created, so the following
dialog appears:
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Figure 9: Select HASP key Dialog
Hardware - License information is always called HASP HL (short key) and it is the only information we need.
You can ignore the Software - License file, called HASP SL (long key), which means the demo license.
5. Save the .c2v file to the hard disk (e.g. to the desktop) and send it to:
helios3d@stoehr-sauer.de
6. You will receive a .v2c file from us with the license information. Save this file to the hard disk
(e.g. the desktop).
7. You can apply the license by starting the SuSRUS program again and selecting the “Apply
License Update” tab.
8. Select the .v2c-file from the hard disk and click on “Apply Update”.
9. Now HELIOS 3D is licensed and can be used.
1.6.1 Important Remark for SL Keys (soft-licenses)
Customers who use a software license (SL, without a dongle) should note, that the protection system checks
the hardware of the server. So changes to the hardware of the server might disable the license key and thus
any license it contains. For moving the license management to another server, a free license transfer is
needed.
For virtual servers, the protection system also checks parts of the hardware (CPU) of the host system.
Copying a virtual server is generally not possible! Licenses can only get transferred to another
server manually.
The following values get checked for SLs:

Physical server:
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 HDD serial number
 Motherboard ID
Changing just one of these two points will be tolerated by the protection system. If both points get changed
at the same time, all keys and thus all licenses get disabled.
Virtual Server:
 virtual MAC address
 CPU data of the host system
 UUID of the virtual machine
Any change to one of these parameters will disable all keys and thus all licenses.
In case a key gets disabled permanently, we will bring the 150 € per license for generation and
activation of a new key to account! The costs for that are 150€ per license.
1.7 First Steps
The procedure described in the section “Configuration Helios 3D” has to be done once for each client,
whereas the settings for AutoCAD Civil 3D in the section “Setting up an AutoCAD Civil 3D profile” have to be
done for each user on each client.
1.7.1 Configuration Helios 3D
First Helios 3D needs a default configuration. For this purpose open the module “Workstation configuration”
in your Helios 3D application. You can find it in the program tab “Modules” by the button:
Select the station you want to edit in the list and then go to the window “Additional data” (below the list of
stations) and to the tab “Program configuration”.
In this list there must be at least a standard configuration which connects Helios 3D to a CAD application.
For adding this one or an additional configuration, right click into the list and select the function “New...” in
the context menu. In the opening dialog you can add a new configuration as the following figure shows by
the example of AutoCAD Civil 3D.
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Figure 10: Configuration Helios 3D
Here you have to enter a name the parameters for configuration:
 Type (Select a program type from the list)

 Program (Program path of the execute file of the program)
 Profile (Name of the profile from the selected program. This profile will automatically be get loaded
on program start-up. Remarks for setting up a profile will follow in the next section.)
If you enable the “Default CAD configuration” option (optionally), the current configuration will be preselected
on start-up of Helios 3D. If no program configuration is set as default, the first one in the list (sorted by name)
will be preselected.
The call command and the command line call will automatically be shown and cannot be edited.
Selecting a program configuration

You have to select a program configuration before starting a drawing. For that, move to the “Drawings” tab in
your “Project management”. On the very right you will find a drawing preview and the “Options” including the
“Start program” button as shown in the following figure.
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Figure 11: Drawing Preview and File Options from Project Management – Additional Data - Drawings
We recommend using the refresh button before selecting a new configuration from the drop-down menu
above the preview.
As long as the new configuration is selected all drawings will be opened with its settings.
1.7.2 Setting Up AutoCAD Civil 3D
1.7.2.1 Allow Civil 3D 2015 Remote Access
This step is only needed for loading Civil from remote sources. For Helios installations which only access a
local database, you can skip this step.
When you want to start Civil with a Helios client installation, Civil will be loaded from the network. Loading
Civil from the network / remote sources is disabled by default. So you have to edit the configuration file using
Windows Editor.
You can change the Acad.exe.Config file in your Civil 3D folder. For a default installation it is located in
„C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2015“.
The following excerpt displays how the file will look like, afterwards. The important section <runtime> and the
essential entry are emphasized:
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<configuration>
<startup useLegacyV2RuntimeActivationPolicy="true">
<supportedRuntime version="v4.0"/>
</startup>

<runtime>
<generatePublisherEvidence enabled="false"/>
<assemblyBinding xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1"><probing
privatePath="bin\FDO;bin;Plugins\Workflow\Activities"/></assemblyBinding>
<loadFromRemoteSources enabled="true"/>
</runtime>
</configuration>
1.7.3 Creating a Civil Profile

This procedure can be used for initial creation as well as for replacing an old profile. Usually Helios 3D
should create this profile and all necessary settings automatically, when starting Civil 3D! So these
settings just need to be done exceptionally.
Step 1:
Enter the command “options” to the command line. (If you use another Civil 3D language version than
English, please try “_options” or the corresponding translation in your language.)
Step 2:
Select the “Profiles” tab (further on the right) of the “Options” dialog. The following figure shows an already
created profile “Helios3D”.
If you want to use a profile which already exists, you can use it by clicking “Set Current” and close this
dialog.
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Figure 12: AutoCAD Civil 3D Profiles
Step 3:
Go to profile “<<C3D_Metric>>” and make it <Current>.
Step 4: (only if an already existing profile “Helios3D” should be replaced)

Select the profile “Helios3D” and press <Delete>.
Step 5:
Copy the profile “<<C3D_Metric>>” by using the <In list...> button.
Please enter the profile name “Helios3D” in the appearing dialog and close it by pressing <Proceed &
Close>.
Figure 13: Add Profile
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Step 6:
Go to the new profile and press <Current>. Afterwards you can close the dialog with <OK>.
After setting up the profile you can now start the Helios-Palette. Please regard that the workspace is set to
.
A right click into the drawing opens the context menu. Under “Helios 3D – More commands” there is the
command “Show Palette...”. Use it to load the Helios-Palette whenever it has not been loaded automatically.
1.8 Adding a Support Path and Trusted Locations
These steps should come automatically with the “Helios3D” profile and so are just necessary in
exceptional cases!
You need to add the program base path of Helios 3D to the trusted locations. Otherwise it is needed to
manually confirm anytime you start Civil 3D out of Helios 3D, that the Helios 3D DLL files should get loaded.
Besides, the “Bin” directory from your Helios 3D installation path must be added as “Support File Searth
Path”.
So you need to open the Civil 3D options dialog and activate the profile “Helios3D”. Then navigate to the
Files tab.
There you can find the entries “Support File Searth Path” and “Trusted Locations”, which are displayed
below.
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Here you can <Add> a new entries.
As search path please add the “Bin” directory of your installation path.
Example: “C:\Helios3D\Bin”
As trusted path you can add the installation path of Helios 3D or a part of its root path with three dots at the
end of the entry (makes all sub paths being trusted, too).
So “I:\...” makes the whole drive I being trusted, while “I:\Helios3D\...” just makes the installation directory a
trusted location.
1.9 Adding a User Account
For creating user accounts you will need an MS SQL Server Management Studio Express and administrator
access for the SQL server.
The recommended workflow equals the structure of this section.
1.9.1 Login Account SQL Server
First a new user needs a login for the SQL server. For that an administrator has to login to the server and he
has to create a new user login in Object Explorer. Just open the structure tree and go to the point “Server
Name\Security\Logins”, right click it and select “New login…”.
The dialog for creating a new login is separated into several pages. You only need the pages “General” and
“Server Roles”.
General
On “General” page you can enter the login information for the new account, as displayed in the following
figure.
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Figure 14: Startup Page of the Login - New Dialog (Page "General")
Here you can create a new login or you can select a Windows-Authentication account and use it for the SQL
server.
For SQL Server-Authentication please go on with the data concerning the password.
For Windows-Authentication please push <Search…> and then click <Advanced> in the upcoming dialog.
The next figure shows the extended selection dialog for users or user groups. There you can use the <Find
Now> button to read and to display all login accounts available in the “Search results” list.
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Figure 15: Advanced Selection Dialog for User Logins with Windows Authentication
Please note that any user needs his own user account (section 1.9.3) for the Helios database, even if
you use user groups for login to the server!
Close all selection dialogs for users and groups with <OK> and go to the “Server Roles” tab.
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Server Roles
On “Server Roles” page you can set the server wide security permissions for the user. Any user at least
needs the role “public” for working with Helios 3D, as displayed below.
Figure 16: New Login Dialog Page "Server Roles"
Another permission needed is locking records on SQL server. Logins with administrator rights automatically
get this permission, whereas other logins need it to be granted by hand.
For that, an administrator (‘sa’) hast to run one of the following commands, depending on the login method,
on ‘master’ database:
For Windows-Authentication:
GRANT VIEW SERVER STATE TO [Domain\Login]
For SQL Server-Authentication:
GRANT VIEW SERVER STATE TO [Login]
1.9.2 User Account Helios3D Database
For accessing the Helios database a user account (can be named equal to the login account) for any user is
needed. For that an administrator can go to “Database Name\Security\Users” in Object Explorer and there
he can right click “Users” and select “New User…”.
The dialog for creating a new user account is separated into several pages, but you only need the page
“General”, which is displayed below.
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Figure 17: New Database User Account (Page "General")
Here you can enter a login name and you can select the corresponding login, which must be created like
described in section 1.9.1 (page “General”).
Required Schemes:
 db_Helios3D
Required memberships in database roles:

 db_datareader
 db_datawriter
 db_Helios3D
1.9.3 User Account Helios 3D Application
In Helios 3D database application any user needs a user account named equal to the user account from
section 1.9.2.
Please follow this procedure:

1. Start Helios 3D with administrator permissions (e.g. user ‘sa’).
2. Open the User Management.
3. Right click the user list -> “New…”
4. Enter a login name as displayed in the following figure and press <OK>.
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Figure 18: Excerpt of the Editing Dialog for User Accounts from Helios 3D Application
5. Select the new user (line appears blue then) and go to the “Assigned to” tab in “Additional Data”
frame below the users list.
6. Right click the list and select the option “New Assignment…”.
7. In the following dialog you can select one or more rights groups and afterwards press
Figure 19: Selection Form - Rights Groups Management
8. When you go to the “Rights” tab (next to “Assigned to” tab), the corresponding rights should be
displayed. If necessary please press F5 to refresh the list view.
Now the user is able to login.
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2 General Information
2.1 Handling for Error Messages
In case of an error which might occur while working with Helios 3D, an error message like displayed in the
following figure will appear.
Figure 20: Helios 3D Error Message
Please always send this error message to STÖHR+SAUER, so we can use it for analysis and debugging.
You can help our development department to quickly provide you with updates and patches.
Copies the error message into clipboard. So you can paste the text anywhere you want (e-mail, text editor,
…).
Sends an e-mail to STÖHR+SAUER which includes the whole content of the error message field. This
function uses the default mail client. If this function does not work, please contact your IT-Department to set
the “mailto:”-link in your Windows-Registry.
2.2 Paths and Folders of Helios 3D
This section describes all paths and folders which are important to Helios 3D. Each point consists of the
information: description; location of the path setting (for lookup or change); default path (can differ,
depending on you configuration).
Paths which start with .\ are located in your program base path.
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Program Base Path
Base path for all program files and system relevant folders. System Settings C:\Programme(x86)\St
öhr+Sauer\Helios3D
Project Base Path

Base path for all project folders created in database System Settings .\Projects
application. It is recommended to set this path to a data
drive or even better to a network drive.
Any Helios user needs write access to this path!
Library Base Path
Base path for all library elements. That includes any folder System Settings .\Library
for component DWG files and the DWG files of the shadow
objects.
User Path
Path for Helios 3D user profiles. Any user profile is stored not changeable .\Users
in a separate subfolder.
Images
Path for image files. The subfolder “Material” contains the not changeable .\Bitmaps
textures for rendering digital terrains and modules.
Any Helios user should have write access to this path!
Documents
Path for the Helios 3D documentation from your installation not changeable .\Documents
DVD. That includes a version of this Reference
Documentation, the documentation for the Electric module,
the DrawingHead_UserManual and a manual for cleaning
up errors in DWG files.
CAD Components
Path for any provided prototype drawing and drawing head. not changeable .\CAD
Any prototype drawing not provided by Stöhr + Sauer must
be stored in the subfolder “Prototype”, for Helios
recognizing it and displaying it in prototype list.
Any Helios user should have write access to this path!
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Client Setup
Path of the installation files for client setup. The setup.exe not changeable .\Client Setup
in this path must be run on any client that should start a
connection to the current installation.
Helios System Files

Path for the Helios 3D system files. not changeable .\Bin
That contains any .dll file which automatically gets updated
by application updates and which you have to overwrite by
the files provided as part of a hotfix.
2.3 Overview Helios 3D Components
Helios 3D consists of a database application for managing project and other database records and the
Helios 3D palette, which extends the functionality of Civil 3D.
2.3.1 Database Application
Starting Helios 3D is calling the database application. The following figure gives an overview of the
controlling elements.
Figure 21: Helios 3D Database Application Interface
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Helios 3D Symbol
Clicking the sun symbol (can also be displayed as a tab label) will open the following menu:
Figure 22: Menu of the Database Application
Here you can call the login dialog again for connecting to another database or disabling the login
automatically option.
Here you can create a backup file for the database without using SQL Server Management Studio.
Administration rights for the SQL Server are mandatory for this operation.
The backup file is stored in the default backup directory of your SQL Server “C:\Program Files
(x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Backup”.
For restoring the database SQL Server Management Studio must be used.
Here we offer web links to the Helios 3D website, the Helios 3D forum and to the Stöhr & Sauer website.
.
Here you can call the program information displayed below.
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Figure 23: Info Dialog of Helios 3D
The information given on top of this dialog is very often needed for support, especially the program and
database version. The entry “Dongle” contains information about the license and the subscription period.
Start Ribbon
On Start ribbon the main functions of the database application are available. A part of these functions can
also be found in the context menu of the selected record.
Figure 24: Tool Palette Groups of the Start Ribbon
The Edit group contains Helios functions for creating, copying, editing and deleting an entry of the
application window that is in focus.
The Windows Clipboard commands, cut, copy and paste, can also be used by the common shortcuts.
Export/Import can be used for transferring projects or drawings between different Helios 3D environments.
The dialogs are displayed including an explanation in Figure 36 on page 44 respectively in Figure 37 on
page 45.
The command group View provides functions for refreshing all records and for calling the start page of the
application.
At Reports you can call the print dialog for system reports.
The command group Window Layout offers different possibilities of organizing the application interface and
storing these settings into a profile. And you can close any open module.
In the group Settings you can manage the behavior of the Helios system. Show Records from Subfolders
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means, that for folders of the folder structure (described in section 3.1) the content of subfolders is displayed
for upper folders, too. Otherwise just the records directly located in the selected folder are displayed. Show
Module Quick Start Bar enables or disables the quick start bar described later in this section. Show Help
Windows is needed, if you want to display the yellow help boxes (tooltips), when remaining above an
element with your mouse cursor (option must be hooked).
Module Ribbon
On Module ribbon you can call any of the modules available. We explain these modules in section 3
Database Application. Alternatively you can use the module quick start bar for opening a module, so you do
not need to switch between Start ribbon and module ribbon.
Figure 25: Modules Ribbon of the Database Application
Hit on the module you want to call and on startup of the module, its button gets marked.
Module Quick Start Bar

You can call any available module with this quick start bar, so going to the Modules ribbon is not necessary.
Figure 26: Module Quick Start Bar
When moving above a module with your mouse cursor, that module will be highlighted.
2.3.2 Helios 3D Palette
The Helios 3D palette contains any function we added to Civil 3D. Please continue reading in section 4 for
further details about the Helios Palette.
2.4 License Management (Sentinel Admin Control Center)
The licensing is managed by dongles (hardlocks). A dongle needs the SafeNet Sentinel driver being installed
on the Helios 3D station and on the license server, as far as network licensing is concerned. The local
installation procedure and the client setup already include that driver, so a manual driver installation is only
needed for license servers or after copying a Helios 3D installation to another workstation. You will find a
description of that in section 1.6 Licensing.
The control center of the local driver can be called on any station via web browser: “http://localhost:1947”.
The following figure shows the start screen.
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Figure 27: Control Center of the SafeNet Sentinel Driver
2.4.1 Available Licenses
Information about availability and validity of licenses can be found at “Sentinel Keys”. Other points of interest
might be “Configuration” and for supporting license issues the point “Diagnostics”.
 overview about available licenses
 configuration of the local driver

 allows generating diagnostic files for support
At “Sentinel Keys” there is a list similar to that in the next figure:
Figure 28: "Sentinel Keys" Entries for different Helios 3D Licenses
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Licenses which are not listed in the “Sentinel Keys” list cannot be found by that workstation!
Any entry shows

 the Location of the license (all local in the figure, but for red network dongles usually at a server),
 the Vendor (96978 for Stöhr + Sauer; other vendor codes indicate the availability of other SafeNet
Sentinel licensed software in the same network),
 the Key ID (identifies the dongle; the ID is part of the name of an update file),
 the Key Type (HASP HL Time: black local Dongle, HASP SL Legacy: local demo license, HASP HL
NetTime 10: red network dongle (usually connected to a server)),
 Configuration,
 Version,
 Sessions (displays the number of active sessions, when Helios 3D is running),

 Actions.
In the “Actions” column you can find additional information of interest, when pushing .
Figure 29: Features Overview for a Helios 3D Dongle
Meaning of the points of interest:

 Product: name of the product
 Feature: feature ID (8351: program start, 8352: database access, 8353: CAD access, 8354: updates
allowed, 8355: Electric module access)
 Logins: current user accesses to a license feature
 Limit: maximum number of licenses available (for network dongles you will find listed the number of
purchased licenses)
 Restrictions: The update feature will always show the expiration date of your subscription and for
time bombed licenses the start feature has an expiration date, too.
 Sessions: currently active sessions to a license feature
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2.4.2 Licensing Issues
2.4.2.1 Waiting until Sentinel HASP is available …
When Helios 3D does not find a valid license, the following message appears:
Figure 30: Sentinel Message while Seeking for Licenses
The message occurs, no matter if no license is available or if all available licenses have expired.
Possible reasons for that issue are (amongst others) expiration of a demo license, a disconnected dongle or
a connection problem to the license server.
2.4.2.2 Subscription is expired
A possible Helios message concerning the license can be
Figure 31: Helios 3D Message, when the Subscription is Expired
This message appears, if your try starting a Helios 3D version that has been released after your subscription
expired. It also shows up if your license key has not been updated on the last subscription renewal. That
means if no V2C file has been applied to your license key.
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3 Database Application
In the database application you can manage all records stored to the database in different modules. This
includes creating and changing projects and data they contain, like drawings. That also applies to
component records, customer and supplier records, as well as assembly parts to panel records.
Additionally you can manage the settings for users, rights groups, workstations and the Helios 3D system.
When changing records, the following navigation bar is displayed at the top of the editing dialog.
Figure 32: Navigation Bar for Editing Dialogs
There you can go to the very first , to the previous , to the next or very last record of the
respective list. When a record has been changed on moving to another record, a request appears that asks
for saving or discarting the changes. The option “Save automatically” avoids that request and changes are
always saved.
3.1 Folder Structure
In most modules you there is a folder structure for better overview. There you can categorize your elements
by creating and managing folders of the structure tree. Below you can find a figure that displays the structure
tree including its context menu for the projects module.
Figure 33: Folder Structure Tree including its Context Menu
New
Creates a folder.
Edit...
Opens the dialog for changing the name of the folder. Besides you can add a translation for that name by
right clicking the dialog. The following languages are supported: German, Spanish and French. Helios 3D will
display a translation when started with the corresponding language setting.
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Delete
Deletes an element and all data it contains.
Refresh
Refreshes the tree structure.
Expand all
Extends all child nodes of the selected node.
Collapse all
Collapses all child nodes of the selected node.
3.2 Project Management
In Project Management you can create and manage projects and you can categorize them in a folder
structure. An example for that is displayed in the following figure.
Figure 34: Projects List and Folder Structure of the Project Management Tab
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The list of projects can be managed by the following context menu.
Figure 35: Context Menu of the Projects List
New...
Opens the dialog for creating a new project.
Insert Copy...
Inserts a copy to the projects list and opens the dialog for creating/changing a project. The name of the copy
must be changed. Changing more of the available options is optional.
The copy does not include records connected to the original project, like drawings.
Edit...
Opens the dialog for changing the settings of the selected project (dialog equals that for creating a project).
Delete
Deletes all selected projects and all data they contain. That means that all drawings are deleted, too, without
any additional request!
Cut
Equals the Windows function, i.e. an element is copied to the clipboard and will get deleted on paste.
Copy
Equals the Windows function, i.e. an element is copied to the clipboard.
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Paste
Equals the Windows function, i.e. an element is pasted from the clipboard.
Refresh
Refreshes the projects list.
Select Folder from Selected Record
When elements (projects) of multiple nodes are displayed in the current view, you can select an element and
use this function, so the node of the structure tree that contains the element is selected, too.
In doing that the list of projects also gets refreshed / filtered.
Open Project Directory

Opens the project directory of the selected project in Windows Explorer.
Comparison: Evaluation Lists of several Projects (out of order!!!)

Opens the dialog for comparing the evaluation lists of several projects.
Comparison: Evaluation Lists of this Project (out of order!!!)

Opens the dialog for comparing the evaluation lists of the selected project. This dialog equals that of the
upper menu point but some pre-filled settings.
Export Project
Open the dialog for “Project Export” as displayed below. You can export the complete project including all
files or just parts of it. The results will get stored into a ZIP file to the set location. This ZIP file can be re-
imported into an equal or later version of HELIOS 3D.
Figure 36: Project Export Dialog
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You can change the offered name for the Export File and you can change the offered Target Directory,
too. The options Export Project Folder Completely and Export Drawings Only can be used for just
exporting the drawings of the project or all data inside the project folder. The option Export Documents can
be set for exporting documents linked to the project on “Documents” tab.
Import Project
Imports a project export file from an equal or former Helios 3D version into Helios 3D, including all data
needed in the database. For that the dialog displayed below appears on pushing the button. There you can
decide for any element if it should be created in the database, if it should replace a potentially equal or out-
dated record (like an update) or if no action should proceed.
Figure 37: Import Dialog for Projects
In the structure list of the import dialog all available records from the import file are displayed. Already
existing records (based on an internal database id) are displayed in green letters in the "Import" column. In
contrast, all red lettered records do not yet exist in the database and for that reason must be imported.
Though Helios 3D presents you a recommendation at its best for any sub record, the "Action" column offers
you maximum control. If you want to proceed with the same action for all child nodes, please just set the
corresponding parent node to keep the number of selections for you at a minimum.
The available actions for new records / nodes are: "No action" and "New".
For records which exist in the local database, but with a different configuration (e.g. array definition with
fitting database id, but a different number of post rows) the action "Overwrite" is available. The next figure
shows how this kind of copy conflict is displayed.
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Figure 38: Import Dialog for Helios 3D Records. The Array Definition of the Local Database has a Different
Number of Posts than the Definition for Import.
Selects the action “New” for all records which do not exist in the local database. These selections can be
changed by hand before you start the import process.
Selects the action “Overwrite” for all records, which already exist in the local database but with a different
configuration / settings. These selections can be changed by hand before you start the import process.
Sets all actions back to “No action”.
Additional Data
Below the projects list there are additional data for a selected project, categorized in different tabs. You can
find a description of these data in the following subsections.
For reason the "Master Data" tab and the "Record Info" tab contain no further functionality but only offer
quick access to information about the project record we skip both of them for our detailed descriptions.
3.2.1 Create New Project
If you want to store the project in a special folder, please first select that folder in structure tree.
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A new project can be created by right clicking the project list and by using the menu entry “New...”. You can
enter all project information in the upcoming dialog which is displayed in the next figure.
Figure 39: Dialog for Creating a New Project
Number Here you can enter a project number up to 32 characters, in case the option
<Generate Project Number Automatically> is not active in your system
settings.
Name Here you can enter the project name up to 64 characters.
Project type Select a project type from the list. (optional)
Country Select a country from the list. (optional)
City Enter a city. (optional)
Project Manager Enter a project manager (max. 64 characters). (optional)
Customer Number Select a customer from Customer Management. (optional)
State Select a project state from the list. (optional)
Backup Medium Enter a backup medium (max. 255 characters). (optional)
Date / Closing Here you can enter a start date for the project and a closing date. (optional)
Hide When the option “Hide Project” is active, the current project will be hidden in
project list, but only if the option <Don't Show Hidden Projects> is active, too.
Project Costs / Area Size After (re-)generating elevation lists in Helios Palette, the total project costs
(as far as all cost information is in the database) and the area size
(calculated out of the areas of the arrays and array groups) will be displayed
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here.
Project Wattage After (re-)generating elevation lists in Helios Palette, the project wattage will
be displayed here.
Number of Arrays / Panels After (re-)generating elevation lists in Helios Palette, the number of arrays
and the number of panels will be displayed here.
Number of Inverters After (re-)generating elevation lists in Helios Palette, the number of inverters
will be displayed here.
Google-Earth-Link (kmz/kml) Here you can select a kmz/kml file as Google-Earth-Link and afterwards you
can load the location in Google Earth by pushing the button on the very right.
Directory Here you can change the path of the project directory.
Language Here you can select the default language for choice/ elevation lists.
Sort Order Here you can select a default sort order for elevation (choice) lists.
Momentarily only the sort order “Component Group” is in use.
Prototype-Drawing Here you can select a prototype for new drawings from the list, so it will
always be preselected when creating a new drawing.
3.2.2 Drawing Tab
In this list you can create and manage drawings for the selected project. For that, the context menu of the
drawings list provides the functions displayed in the following figure.
Figure 40: Context Menu of the Drawings List
Most functions of the context menu equal those of Figure 35. Additionally the function "Export drawing(s)"
exports the drawing file and all database records and other data needed for reconstruction (e.g. array
definition and drawing) in another Helios 3D installation into a ZIP file.
After creating a drawing entry in the Helios database, you have to open the drawing with the
database application to really create the DWG. For starting a specific version of Civil 3D, Helios 3D
needs a program configuration. Such a configuration has to be created after installation of Helios, as
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we describe in section 1.7.1. Before you can start a drawing you must select a program configuration
at the drop down box of the "Preview Drawing" frame in "Drawings" tab as displayed in Figure 11.
3.2.2.1 Drawing Master Data
Here you can enter any master data needed for the drawing. The only information necessarily needed in the
dialog displayed below, is the drawing number (file name without file extension). Besides every project
should have a reference drawing. Only such a drawing will transfer its parts lists information (e.g. the number
of arrays, project wattage, etc.) to the project record.
Figure 41: Drawing Master Data
Drawing Number The drawing number usually equals the drawing name without file extension. If the
option „Set Drawing Filename equal to Drawing Number“ is active“ in the system
settings, the filename is filled in automatically. Drawing number and filename are the
only values which are necessarily needed.
Description Here you can enter a description for the drawing.
File Type Here you can select a file type. Only the selection of „AutoCAD Drawing“ makes
sense here.
Filename If the option „Set Drawing Filename equal to Drawing Number“ is active“ in the
system settings, this entry equals the drawing number plus file extension. That would
be the default setting.
Otherwise you can set the filename differently.
Drawn by / Here you can enter the names of the drawer and the inspector.
Inspected by
Reference Drawing Reference drawings transfer their parts list information to the project, when a new
parts list gets generated.
Only when this option is active, the calculated values for the project area, the project
wattage, the number of arrays and panels, as well as the number of used inverters
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will be displayed in the master data of the project record.
Created / Edited Shows the creation date and the date of the latest change of the DWG file.
Size in KB Shows the file size.
3.2.3 Evaluations/Parts List Positions Tab
This tab has three lists selectable by a specific tab. For a better overview these tabs are located at the
bottom of the lists, as you can see in the figure below.
Figure 42: Evaluations/Parts List Positions Tab of a Project, Separated into Three Sub Tabs
Evaluations
In this list (see Figure 42) you can find all drawings of the selected project and all evaluation lists displayed
as sub nodes of the corresponding drawing.
When you select an evaluation list, you can go to the two other tabs for getting detailed information and
additional functions.
Evaluation Positions
In this tab all evaluation positions of a node, selected in "Evaluations" tab, are listed. As you can see below,
the edit frame on the left contains functions to delete all positions or to open the print dialog with a collection
of reports.
Figure 43: Evaluation Positions Sub Tab of a Selected Evaluations Record
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Evaluation Parts List Positions
The list of this tab contains all parts list positions of the selected evaluation list. The functions of the edit
frame displayed below are provided by the context menu of the list, too. Some functions are only available
for parent nodes of this list.
A child node entry cannot be edited. The edit dialog can only be called for parent nodes as the selected one
in the following figure, though the child node in line number three refers to the same component.
Figure 44: Evaluations Parts List Positions Sub Tab of a Selected Evaluations Record
In the "Edit" menu you can delete all nodes, you can call the print dialog, you can select a component from
the database or create and insert a new component (Free Position), as well as you can delete, copy or edit
(only parent nodes) a selected entry.
3.2.4 Other Tabs
The other tabs provide functions for adding other information to the project, like Companies, Contacts,
Appointments or Documents. These are without any additional functionality provided by Helios 3D and we do
not intend to add any functionality concerning these pieces of information in the near future. If there are any
requirements connected to these things, please contact us at Helios3D@stoehr-sauer.de.
3.3 Component Management
Here you can create or edit components. The provided functions here equal those we describe in section
3.3.1 in connection with our explanations for the array generator (see section 8.1).
For the standard workflow we assume that all components will be created in array generator and generally
will get edited there, too. Reason for that is that for usage of any component in a drawing, as well as for any
change to take effect in that drawing, you have to regenerate the drawing of the array definition in array
generator and (eventually) overwrite an existing placement.
Components needed for the Electric module are described in section 10.1.
3.3.1 New Record / Component
Here we describe the master data which is equal for any component in the database. That includes the
“Component Description”, the “Component Languages”, the “Parameters” and the “Component Preview”.
Generally all sections are displayed in one dialog. Here this dialog is split into its sections for better overview.
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Most data is optional except for the component number.
Component Description
Manufacturer / Here you can select a manufacturer from database and enter a component
Component Number number.
Component Number Own Enter an own component number, e.g. if the component has a different number
/ Hide inside your company.
The “Hide” option hides a component in components management if a user has
activated the option “Don't Show Hidden Components in Components Master
Data” in his user settings.
Supplier Here you can select a supplier from database.
Supplier Component Enter a supplier component number, e.g. if the component has a different
Number number inside the company of your supplier.
Component Languages
Description 1 Here you can enter a description in the corresponding language.
Description 2 Here you can enter another description in the corresponding language.
Info Here you can enter important information about the component, e.g. about its
installation.
Parameters
Length (mm/in) / Width Here you can enter length and width both in mm/in. These values are used for
(mm/in) calculating the table dimensions.
Thickness/Height(mm/in)/ Here you can enter thickness and height both in mm/in and weight in kg. The
thickness value is used for calculating the table dimensions.
Weight(kg)
Component Type Here you can see the component type from database. In Array Generator the
type is already selected. If you create a component in the database application
you have to select a type from the list. (For the last case you have to go to
Table Generator and regenerate the drawing.)
Build Group / Locked - no functionality implemented yet -
Quantity / Packing Unit Here you can enter the quantity and packing unit for this component.
Purchase Price / Sales Here you can enter the purchase price and the sales price for this component.
Price
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Group - no functionality implemented yet -
Sort Order 1 / 2 - not in use –
After selecting the component type additional, type specific data can be inserted.
In section 10.1 you can find a description of the components needed for the Electric module. There are
multiple parameters for these components, with most of them not being used at the current state of
development.
3.3.2 New Post Definition
Here you have to enter the default data for any component as described in section 3.3.1 and then you can
enter the “Data of the Component Type (Post)”.
As you can see in the figure below you can only select a post type from database here.
Figure 45: Data of the Component Type (Posts)
All posts get displayed with the default geometry we deliver with Helios 3D. If you want to use a different
geometry for your post, you need to create it as described in the following subsection.
3.3.2.1 Creating a New Post Geometry
This workflow describes how to create a new post geometry. For that you need to create a new post drawing
(dwg file), which must be saved with the same name like the database component into the folder
„\Library\Posts”.
The location of the library folder is set in the system settings of Helios 3D:
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Figure 46: Set Library Base Path in the System Settings
Step 1:
Create a copy of the AutoCAD file “PostPrototype.dwg” (see directory „\Library\Posts“) and name the copy
like the corresponding database component: component number.dwg
Example:
Post Component Number Drawing Name
P-01 P-01.dwg
Step 2:
Open the new post drawing in Civil 3D. The drawing area is separated into four views: Top, Left, Down and
Perspective.
Figure 47: Default View of a Post Prototype Drawing

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For working in one of these views, please click into the specific frame.
Step 3:
The final geometry, as it is displayed after running a placement, is based on the footprint of the post. When
being inserted into a planning drawing, the 2D footprint will get extruded by Helios 3D and the final geometry
gets inserted into the planning drawing with the defined length.
The footprint of the post geometry must be created in top view, with the base point (0, 0, 0) of the
drawing as center of the footprint.
Please now draw the footprint around the base point of the post drawing, so that the point (0, 0, 0) equals the
center axis of the post.
Examples:
All of the following examples consist of 2D polylines.
Square Post Polygon with 12 Edges Free Geometry
Top View:
Isometric
View:
Realistic View
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3.4 Choice Lists
Abstract content, which can be selected as additional information for different records, is defined as choice
list. The following figure shows the default choice lists.
Figure 48: Default Choice Lists in Helios 3D
In the following lines we describe the most recent choice lists. They consist of a unique short and a
description for one or more languages.
Address types
Can be selected for address records in customer or supplier management for categorizing addresses (e.g.
delivery address, invoice address, etc.).
Conductor material
Can be selected for articles of the type “Cable”.
Contact person types

Can be selected for contact records in customer or supplier management for categorizing addresses (e.g.
sales manager of a supplier, etc.).
Countries
Can be selected for a project record.
Electrical Grid
Here you can create electrical grids. Those are not managed like components, because they are no physical
articles, but abstract objects.
The following figure shows the creation dialog. The values for voltage and the number of phases are not
considered yet.
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Figure 49: Maser Data for Electrical Grids
A good example entry might be:

Short: 1000/3
Description: 1000 V, 3 Phases
Voltage: 1000
Phases: 3
Electrical hierarchy levels

Are internally used and displayed as additional information in some lists of the Electric tab on Helios 3D
palette.
Manufacturer
Can get selected for any component master record.
Module types
Can get selected for components of type “Cable”.
Packaging units
Can get selected for database components in their parameters.
Project state
Can get selected for project records.
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Rights level
Here the rights levels are defined for the Helios 3D database. These are needed by the application for
accessing the database.
Vertical rod types

Can get selected for components of type “Post”.
3.5 User Management
Here you can add users to the database or change the profile of a user.
Remark!!!
Adding a user to the database requires some additional steps, which can only be done by use of MS
SQL Management Studio. Please follow the instructions in section 1.9, which include the complete
workflow!
In the current section we continue just describing the configuration options for existing user accounts. If you
want to create a new user account, please regard the remark from above.
Please note that changing a user profile affects the user's working environment and possibly his
work. For that reason, all changes should be done with care.
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In the following dialog you can see all options when creating or changing a user profile.
Figure 50: User Data of a User already Registered to the Database
Login / User Name

Enter login and the complete user name here.
Description
Here you can enter a description of the user profile.
Directory
Here you can enter or change the directory the user profile is stored to.
Language Program
Here you can select the language for displaying the dialogs in Helios 3D. This setting will immediately be
applied to the selected user profile.
Changes to a currently active profile have the effect, that already opened frames will not be displayed in the
new language until you restart Helios.
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Language Data
Here you can select the language for displaying all language depending data (like descriptions). This setting
will immediately be applied to the selected user profile.
If some records are not displayed correctly, pushing the <Refresh> button should solve this problem.
Semantics Metrical / Imperial

Here you can set the semantics for displaying lengths in Helios 3D. You can select between the metrical and
the imperial system.
That only affects the display, but no calculation or the database. The database always uses full millimeters
for calculations and for storing values.
Accuracy
Here you can select the accuracy depending on your choice of semantics.
For the metrical system you can choose between full millimeters and tenth millimeters and for the imperial
system you can choose between full or fractional inches.
That does not change the fact that Helios database always works with (and stores) full millimeters.
Show Module Taskbar

With this option activated (hooked) the module taskbar is displayed at the bottom of the database
application.
Show Help Windows while Mouse over Control

With this option activated (hooked) tooltips will be displayed for most elements of Helios 3D. These provide
information about the function of the corresponding element like displayed in the figure below.
Figure 51: Detailed Tooltip for the option "Show help Windows while Mouse over Control"
Show Records from Subfolders

With this option activated (hooked) all contents of sub records of a folder (child nodes) are also displayed
when the folder is selected. Elsewise these contents are hidden.
You can see the different effects in the figure below.
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Figure 52: User Management List and Folder Structure. The User “sa” is located in the “Administrators”
Folder. On Top the Option “Show Records from Subfolders” is Active, at the Bottom the User is Hidden.
Save Window Position and Size on Close

With this option activated (hooked) window position and window size will be saved on close and loaded on
startup of Helios 3D.
Don't Show Hidden Components in Components Master Data

With this option activated (hooked) components in Component Master Data will be hidden in your list if the
option "Hide Component" is activated in the project settings (see section 3.3.1).
Don't Show Hidden Projects

With this option activated (hooked) projects in Project Management will be hidden in your list if the option
"Hide Project" is activated in the project settings (see section 3.3.1).
Open Drawing in CAD on Double Click

With this option activated (hooked) you can open a drawing by double clicking its name.
Window Layout on Startup

This section contains options for the Helios 3D layout on startup. Helios can start with the start page, with an
empty window, with the layout of the last session (stored on close) or with one special profile stored with the
"Layout" function. You can find that in the "Windows Layout" frame of the "Start" menu.
Login
This section includes no functionality used in Helios 3D at present.
Prototype-Drawing
Here you can select a default Prototype-Drawing which will always be preselected/used when you create a
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new drawing.
Always Show Selection Window for Prototype-Drawing on new Drawings

With this option activated (hooked) the dialog for selecting a Prototype-Drawing will always appear when you
create a new drawing. Otherwise the default prototype selected one step before will be used without any
request.
Auto Display
Switch the automatic display in Civil 3D between “Radial” (Menu) and “Tooltip”. The option “Radial” makes a
radial menu show up in Civil 3D, when hovering over an AutoCAD object with your mouse that provides
quick access functions. The option “Tooltip” makes the Civil 3D tooltip show up, when hovering over an
object in Civil 3D. Helios overwrites these tooltips for some objects.
The option which doesn’t show automatically can be called by holding the “Alt” key on your keyboard. So you
need to hold the “Alt” key and then move the mouse above the object.
3.6 Workstations
Here, all computer systems are listed which have access to the database. A new entry is created in this list,
any time an unknown workstation tries to access the database. For reason this step is part of the local Helios
3D installation there is no function for adding a workstation in this list. You can only edit an entry (rename a
workstation) or delete an entry.
For working with Helios 3D a "Program Configuration" is needed for any workstation, so Helios knows how to
start a version of AutoCAD Civil 3D. You can add it in the "Additional Data" of the workstation. A detailed
description of this procedure can be looked up in section 1.7.1 .
3.7 System Settings
Here you can change the settings of your Helios 3D installation which are displayed in the following figure.
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Figure 53: System Settings of a Helios 3D Installation
Language for Windows

Here the default language for any dialog of the current Helios 3D installation can be selected. It will be the
default setting for new user profiles and a fallback solution when this setting is not set in a user’s profile.
These settings have to be done once. You can change these settings for any user individually in his/her
profile settings.
Language for Records

Here the default language for any record (descriptions and other language depending information) of the
current Helios 3D installation can be selected. It will be the default setting for new user profiles and a fallback
solution when this setting is not set in a user’s profile.
These settings have to be done once. You can change these settings for any user individually in his/her
profile settings.
Default Language
Here you can set the default language for the current installation.
Program Base Path

Here you can change the base path of your Helios 3D installation. Figure 53 shows the default path as
subdirectory of your installation path.
News & Component Images

(De-) Activates the automatic updates for news and component images. These are displayed in the Start
Page of the database application.
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Project Base Path
Here you can change the project base path of your Helios 3D installation. Figure 25 shows the default path
as subdirectory of you installation path.
All projects and other data which is connected to a project will be stored here. For that reason all users need
write access to this directory, otherwise they are not able to work with Helios 3D (important e.g. for network
installations).
Project Number / State

Here you can set a project number and a project state as basis for any new project. With the option
"Generate Project Number Automatically" activated this project number is the base number for Helios to
generate an available number of the same structure by iteration.
Prototype-Drawing
Here you can select a default prototype-drawing which will be preset automatically at any time you create a
new drawing.
Generate Project Number Automatically

With this option activated (hooked) the project number will be automatically generated for a new project by
iteration and based on the "Project Number" setting from above. In that case you will not be able to change
the number manually.
Set Drawing Filename equal to Drawing Number

With this option activated (hooked) the drawing filename will automatically be created equal to the
corresponding drawing number. As long as this option is activated you will not be able to change the
number.
Library Base Path

Here you can change the library base path of your Helios 3D installation. Figure 25 shows the default path
as subdirectory of you installation path.
All library elements/objects are located in this path. For that reason all users need write access to this
directory, otherwise they are not able to work with Helios 3D (important e.g. for network installations).
Use only Program Language for Name Entries

With this option activated (hooked) all language depending information (like component descriptions) will
only be displayed in the current program language.
3.7.1 Parts List
On this tab you can do some presets for parts lists and for the display of numeric values in the current Helios
3D installation. You can find detailed information about all controls after the following figure.
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Figure 54: System Settings - Parts List Tab
Language
Here you can select a default language for parts lists.
Sort by
- no functionality -
Price as (not needed in Helios 3D)

Here you can set, if the preselection for new components should be ‘Sales Price’ or ‘Rental Price’.
Semantics
Here you can set semantics for all length values displayed in Helios 3D to ‘Metrical (mm)’ or ‘Imperial (in)’.
That only affects the display, but no calculation or the database. The database always uses full millimeters
for calculations and for storing values.
This setting represents a default value for the system, which will be used when creating a new user profile or
when a setting is missing in a user's profile.
Accuracy
Here you can select the accuracy depending on your choice of semantics.
For the metrical system you can choose between full millimeters and tenth millimeters and for the imperial
system you can choose between full or fractional inches.
That does not change the fact that Helios database always works with (and stores) full millimeters.
This setting represents a default value for the system, which will be used when creating a new user profile or
when a setting is missing in a user's profile.
3.8 Others
The other modules provide functions for adding and managing additional data, like customer information,
supplier information and choice lists. These are without any additional functionality provided by Helios 3D
and we do not intend to add any functionality concerning records in these modules in the near future. If there
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are any requirements connected to these things, please contact us at Helios3D@stoehr-sauer.de.
Please note that the Choice Lists we provide are used by some Helios 3D functions, so changing
these records may affect the functionality of Helios in negative ways!
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4 Helios 3D Pallet
Helios 3D extends Civil 3D by an additional tool pallet that contains all provided features. Usually the pallet
gets displayed automatically, but in other cases or if it gets hidden, you can call it again from the extension of
the Civil 3D context menu.
When no objects are selected, you can call the Civil 3D context menu with a right-click at your drawing.
Under “Helios3D – More Commands” you can hit the option “Show Palette…”.
Figure 55: Civil 3D Context Menu with Helios 3D Extension
The Helios 3D Palette looks like displayed below.
Call menu by clicking the sun symbol
Ribbon bar
Project information from

the database
Function tabs
Figure 56: Design of the Helios 3D Palette
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The function tabs are described in different sections. All upper parts of the palette are described here in the
subsections of section 4.
4.1 Sun Symbol
You can the menu from the next figure hitting the sun symbol.
Figure 57: Menu of the Helios 3D Palette
At the first point you can enable or disable single “Options”.

The point “Properties” calls the dialog for the general settings of Helios and under “System Information” you
can display some information about your installation.
You can find more details in the following sub sections.
4.1.1 Options
Here you can enable or disable options, which temporary overrides system or user settings. The options do
not get saved. Instead Helios will load the original values form the corresponding basic setting (e.g. user
settings).
Show Radial Menu Turns around the automatic display setting. When active, a radial menu will
appear, when hovering over an AutoCAD object that contains functions for fast
access.
Otherwise the Civil 3D tooltip or the alternative Helios tooltip for the object will
appear.
The function which doesn’t show up automatically with the current setting can be
called, when holding the „Alt“ key on your keyboard while hovering over an object
with your mouse.
(see section 3.5 User Management for the default setting)
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4.1.2 Properties
Here you can do the general settings displayed in the next figure.
Figure 58: Properties / General Settings of Helios 3D
Depth Cable Trenches Legt den Standardwert für neu angelegte Kabelgräben in Metern/Fuß fest. Sie
können den Standardwert für jeden Kabelgraben in der Elektrik einzeln
überschreiben.
Depth Row Trenches Legt den Standardwert für neu angelegte Reihenkabelgräben in Metern/Fuß
fest. Sie können den Standardwert für jeden Kabelgraben in der Elektrik
einzeln überschreiben.
Sting Cables Here you can set the color for displayed string cables.
Input Cables Here you can set the color for displayed input cables.
Output Cables Here you can set the color for displayed output cables.
Device Cables Here you can set the color for displayed device cables.
Thaw/Freeze Layers Here you can thaw or freeze all layers which contain „All Array Objects“, „All
Field Objects“ and „All Electrical Objects“ all at the same time or separately.
That will affect all layers that contain one of the objects, which also includes
other objects on these layers, no matter if they are considered by other Helios
functions.
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4.1.3 System information
This function is just for information purpose and has no further functionality. It provides quick access to
pieces of information about the current system in case of support.
System Information
Opens the dialog displayed below with pieces of information about the installed system. An explanation of all
elements follows after the figure.
In this place it is not possible to change any settings! For any changes go to the database.
There you need the corresponding access rights to do any changes.
Figure 59: System Information for the Current Helios 3D Installation and for the Connected Database
Program / Database
Here you can see the version numbers of the program and the database.
Program Language
Here you can see the language of your installation.
Program Directory
Here you can see the complete program path of your installation.
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Drawing Filename
Here you can see the complete folder path of the current drawing.
Project No./Name
Here you can see the number and the name of the project the current drawing belongs to.
Drawing No./Name
Here you can see the number and the name of the current drawing.
Server / Database
Here you can see the name of the database and the name of the server it is located on.
User Name / Password

Here you can see the username and the encrypted password you used for database login.
4.1.3.1 System Settings
The following figure displays the settings for the currently used system. A detailed description of the system
settings can be found in section 3.7.
4.1.3.2 User Data
This dialog shows the data of the user currently connected to the database as displayed below. These data
meet those from User Management of the database application. You can find a detailed description of the
User Management in section 3.5.
4.2 Ribbon Bar
The ribbon bar is split into two categories, which contain different functions independent from the module tab
you are currently working with.
Figure 60: Ribbon Bar Start Menu
Project Open the project over report.
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Export Contains the export functions for posts, to PVsyst and the Browser View. (see section
4.2.1)
Line Functions Contains the line functions „Set Line Height“, „Adjust to DTM“, “Create Fence”, “Combien
Lines” and “Simplify”. (see section 4.2.2)
The category “Shadow Objects” contains functions for insertion or registration of shadow objects, as
displayed below.
Figure 61: Ribbon Bar Shado Objects Menu
Register Allows the registration of AutoCAD objects as shadow objects. (see section 9.9.2)
Insert Contains the export functions for posts, to PVsyst and the Browser View. (see section )
4.2.1 Export
In this panel there are three export functions for your planning data.
4.2.1.1 Posts List
In this section you can find three functions for exporting drawing data for different programs.
Exports the post list into a file of the type C3D. That type is a text file and can be changed with any editor.
Data is stored in the following format:
<Field >.<Row#>.<Array#>.<Post#> <X Pos.> <Y Pos.> <Z Pos.> < Angle> <X Pos.> <Y Pos.> <Z Pos.>
coordiantes post head coordiantes soil entering point
Example: Field_North.3.2.1 491,998.925 596,084.770 301.616 100.000 491,998.925 596,084.770 381.616
The given data excerpt shows the first post of the second rack (array) in the third row of “Field North” (blanks
are replaced by an underscore).
The X-, Y- and Z-values mean the insert point of the post in world coordinates (WCS) and equal the start
point (post head) of the line that represents the post:
( )
491,998.925
⃗P Start = 596,084.770
301.616
The rotation of the post in our example is 100 Gon.

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The X-, Y- and Z-values behind the rotation angle mean the entering point to the soil.
The simple graphic below shows the meaning of the two points from export file entries.
post head
rack height defined

soil entering point in array generator
(see section 8.1.2)
ram depth defined in
the rack parameters
(see section9.4.2.3)
4.2.1.2 PVsyst
Exports the surfaces of a DTM and of the photovoltaic active surfaces of the modules into a text file with the
file ending H2P. That can be read by PVsyst for shadow calculation and for calculations of profits.
Format Description:
The beginning and the ending of the document are marked by the keywords START and END. It consists of
the following scheme:
START
TABLE repeated for any
// table data table definition used
in the drawing
INSERT repeated for any placed table
// insert data of the corresponding definition
ShadowObject
Name repeated for any object in the
drawing
// points of each triangle
DGM
repeated for any surface (DTM)
// points of each triangle in the drawing
END
TABLE Data
The following description for the keys is meant for TABLE sections.
Keyword Description
10 table definition data (length and height of the module area, overhangs)
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20 module data (# rows, # columns, distances between modules, module: height, x-size, y-
size)
y-size y-size
x-size x-size
30 name of the module definition
The table definition data is structures as follows:
TABLE
10
10000.000, 3296.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 ; comma as delimiter
overhang bottom
overhang top
overhang right
overhang left
height of active area defined by the modules (mm)
length of active area defined by the modules (mm)
20
10, 2, 0.020, 0.020, 30, 1900, 995
module y-size (mm)
module x-size (mm)
module height (thickness in mm)
module y distance in mm (distance between modules of a column)
module x distance in mm (distance between modules of a row)
number of module rows
number of module columns
30
CS6P-230P ; name of module
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INSERT Data
The following description for the keys is meant for INSERT sections.
Keyword Description
10 3D coordinate of the insertion point
50 azimuth
55 slope angle
56 module inclination
The structure of the insert data looks as follows:
INSERT
10
0.000, 0.000, 0.000 ; x, y, z
50
0.000 ; azimuth angle
55
-2.929 ; slope angle
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30.000 ; inclination angle
Shadow Objects
We describe all shadow objects by triangles, because this give a universal description for all possible
shapes. Customers are allowed to create their own objects by distinct AutoCAD mesh objects.
The structure of the shadow object data looks as follows:
ShadowObject
Name ; name of the object
-110.993,-46.527,6.374;-107.054,-42.001,6.179;-107.095,-39.147,6.046 ; first triangle
-110.993,-46.527,6.374;-107.095,-39.147,6.046;-115.288,-46.527,6.680 ; second triangle
…
DGM (DTM / Surface) Data

In the DGM section, each line describes one triangle of the surface. The structure of each line is the
following:
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-300.993,374.131,-8.085;-284.879,359.171,-9.085;-292.360,381.611,-9.085
z03 (z value third triangle point)
y03 (y value third triangle point)
x03 (x value third triangle point)
z02 (z value second triangle point)
y02 (y value second triangle point)
x02 (x value second triangle point)
z01 (z value first triangle point)
y01 (y value first triangle point)
x01 (x value first triangle point)
Example for an Export File:
File Text: Comments:
START ; start flag of the file

TABLE ; definition of the dimensions of the first table follows
10 ; table definition data follows
6077.500,3337.800,0.000,0.052,0.039,0.039 ; length, height, overhang: left, right, top, bottom
20 ; module definition data follows
6,2,0.021,0.010,30,1900, 995 ; # columns, # rows, x distance, y distance, height, x, y
30 ; module name follows
Modul 160W 1638x983 ; module name
INSERT ; insertion information of the first table follows
10 ; insertion point follows
0.000,0.000,0.000 ; x, y, z
50 ; azimuth follows
0.000 ; angle in degrees
55 ; slope follows
56 ; module inclination follows
INSERT ; insertion information of the next table follows
…
TABLE ; definition of the dimensions of the next table follows
…
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DGM ; definition of the first DTM / surface follows
-110.993,-46.527,6.374;-107.054,-42.001,6.179;-107.095,-39.147,6.046 ; first triangle
-110.993,-46.527,6.374;-107.095,-39.147,6.046;-115.288,-46.527,6.680 ; second triangle
…
DGM ; definition of the next DTM / surface follows
…
END ; end flag of the file (confirms the valid ending)
4.2.1.3 Browser View
Opens a dialog for generating a simple 3D environment, including the surface data and the layout of your
planning drawing. The 3D environment will be displayed in your default web browser, where you can move
through the 3D area in a flight mode.
It is just a simple simulation of your table layout, which does not perfectly match the original (e.g. the tables
have just one post at each end), the surface and a simple environment.
This function only works for all web browsers that support WebGL. If there is no environment
displayed in your default browser, open the address in another web browser.
We usually test it in Firefox (and Google Chrome).
The data generated for the 3D environment will always be saved in the folder “BrowserExport_gen”.
If this folder already exists in the target directory (see parameters), it will be overwritten without a
warning, anytime you start a browser export.
The following figure contains the settings for the simulation.
Figure 62: Browser Export Parameters Dialog
Target Directory
Select the target directory for all contents generated by Browser Export. Helios saves all contents into the
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folder „BrowserExport_gen“.
Details
Set the details to “High”, “Medium” or “Low” for changing performance relevant settings like texture
resolution. Besides, using low details the posts get replaced by a single body like that in planning drawings.
That decreases the number of displayed object faces.
Tree Quantity
Set the number of trees randomly generated to the 3D environment. The quantity of these trees affects the
performance, so decreasing their quantity can solve lagging issues in the scene or avoid memory overflows.
Antialiasing
Avoids aliasing effects to objects at costs of a lower performance. Disable function in case of performance
issues.
Fog
Fog improves the optical sense for the depth of the scene.
Post Quantity
Racks can be displayed either with 2 or 4 posts, with the posts being always displayed at the outer edges of
a rack.
A higher post quantity increases the number of displayed object faces and thus can cause performance
issues.
Textures from Program Base Path

When active, the textures from the folder „BrowserExport\BrowserExport.zip \Images“ are used for display.
There you can also permanently replace these textures by your own (affects all future exports), or you can
replace the textures in folder „BrowserExport_gen“ for just changing the texture for that specific Browser
View.
Some web browsers (like Google Chrome) do not support loading of external textures, so the default setting
uses code generated textures, which match the images we provide.
Surface
Select a bitmap of format JPEG or PNG (*.jpg, *.png) for the surface.
The dimensions of the picture will automatically get adjusted, so that length and width will both be a power of
two value (..., 128, 256, 512, ...). Pictures with larger dimensions will get reduces to a maximum of 1024
pixels each.
These transformations are necessary for technical reasons and can cause an optical distortion.
Modules
Activate for using the bitmap selected in the array definition for displaying the modules in your web browser.
The dimensions will get limited to a maximum size of 128x128 pixels.
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Besides, the length and width of the picture will get recalculated into power of two values (..., 16, 32, 64,
128).
These transformations are necessary for technical reasons and can cause an optical distortion.
4.2.2 Line Functions
This panel contains functions for changing lines and polylines, as well as a function for creating fences.
4.2.2.1 Set Line Height
For creating a DTM out of polylines, all polylines have to be set to the corresponding z-coordinate (height).
This function provides a comfortable procedure to set the height of each line.
For that you can enter a start height and a step width, both in meters. You will get prompted by the command
line to enter these values. Afterwards you can select the lines one after the other, starting with the line that
should be set to start height.
Figure 63: Top: Before Setting the Line Height (all Lines on Height 0); Bottom: After Setting the Line Height
(Start Height: 0, Step Width: 1m)
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4.2.2.2 Adjust to DTM
You can lift one or more polylines to the height of the terrain. This function adds a definition point to the
resulting polyline at any time a line segment intersects the line segment of a terrain triangle, so the resulting
polyline completely lies on the surface of a terrain.
For reducing the number of definition points of the result line to the minimum needed, please use the
<Simplify> function we describe in the following section.
4.2.2.3 Fence Function
Generates a fence alongside a polyline.

The following figure displays the parameters provided for this fence:
Figure 64: Parameters for Defining a Fence alongside a Polyline
Max. Segment Length

Here you can enter the maximum segment length in meters. All segments will be of this length except for
those which have to be fit to a corner of the fence. For that case the segment will get shorted.
Fence Height
Here you can enter the height of the fence in meters.
Use Post
If you activate (hook) this option, you can select a post definition from the list. This post will be displayed in
the drawing after insertion.
Sometimes a refresh of the list might be needed. In this case please use the refresh button.
Fence Type Hatch / 3D-Area

Here you can select a display type for the fence. A hatched fence is a simple display type, whereas the
display type <3D-Area> is more exact and looks more realistic but on the other hand is more expensive.
The following figure shows the difference between a fence with minimum display accuracy (hatch without
posts) and maximum display accuracy (3d-area with posts).
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Figure 65: Most simple and most detailed Display of a Fence (max. Segment Dimensions 5x3m). Left:
Hatched without Posts; Right: 3D-Areas with Posts.
4.2.2.4 Combine Lines
Some drawings may include contour line segments which are not connected to each other as one single
polyline. You can use this function to combine line segments of the AutoCAD type LINE to a polyline. For
that an endpoint of line A must concur with an endpoint of line B.
Using this function, you will get prompted by the command line to first select the lines and to afterwards enter
the minimum segment length. The last step allows reducing the number of polyline segments if the length of
a segment is smaller than the minimum segment length.
Please note, that only lines of equal running direction can get combined. I.e. a start point can get
combined with an end point and an end point can get combined with a start point, but combining a
start point with a start point or combining an end point with an end point is not possible.
4.2.2.5 Simplify
This function automatically eliminates a definition point of a polyline, if a straight line from the last definition
point to the next definition point goes through the current definition point in 2D.
So you can reduce the number of points with this function and, in doing that, decrease the number of
calculation steps for other Helios operations.
Please note that the simplification is calculated in 2D, so the heights will get eliminated on that! You
should consider that for later usage of the polyline.
4.3 Project Information from the Database
In this section the project number and name, as well as the drawing number and description get displayed.
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If the drawing specific records could not be read, these entries would display Unknown. In that case you can
read the records again, by pushing .
5 Menu Extensions in Civil 3D
Helios 3D extends the regular Civil 3D context menu when either no object or a line/polyline is selected. In
addition, there is a radial menu showing up for some AutoCAD objects. That provides fast access to some
functions.
5.1 Context Menu Extension
The next figure shows the Civil 3D context menu without aany selected AutoCAD object.
Register objects to Helios 3D

Insert Helios 3D objects
More commands
Figure 66: Civil 3D Context Menu with Helios 3D Extensisions
The options for adding or drawing equal these from the “Placement” tab in the palette. Under “More
Commands” you can find the following options.
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Deletes an object, which needs getting selected afterwards.
Adjusts a Polyline to the DTM height.
Makes the Helios 3D palette visible.
Reads all data from the database.
Calls the properties dialog (see section 4.1.2)
Figure 67:More Helios 3D Commands
When a line or polyline is selected, the context menu looks like displayed below and offers different options
depending on the line type (adjustment line, field border, etc.).
Figure 68: Extended Civil 3D Context Menu for Lines/Polylines
5.2 Radial Menu
The radial menu is bound to the ROLLOVERTIPS option, which is why either the Civil 3D rollover tips or the
radial menu gets displayed automatically. The other option can be activated while holding the “Alt”-key. You
can set for any Helios user which of the two options should appear automatically in user management (see
section 3.5). You can override the user setting for the running Civil 3D session at the sun symbol of the
Helios 3D Palette (see section 4.1).
The menu provides access to object related functions, which is displayed in the next few figures for a
polyline.
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Icon of the Radial Menu
Figure 69: Icon of the Radial Menu for a Polyline
If the radial menu is activated with the “Alt”-key, you will need to release it before clicking at the
icon.
When hitting the icon with your mouse key, the related options show up and can get activated by another
left-click.
Figure 70: Radial Menu for a Polyline
You can close the menu by hitting the pencil icon in the middle or by clicking into another location of the
drawing.
Some points might contain additional command collections as for the “Electric” in the figure above. You can
open the extra menu by hitting the arrow.
Open “Electric” Extension
Figure 71: Extension of a Radial Menu Entry
Calling the extension changes the menu as displayed below. You can return to the upper command lever
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hitting the arrob icon in the center.
Figure 72: Electric Extension of the Polyline Radial Menu
You can close the radial menu anytime by clicking at your drawing area.
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6 Project
In this tab you can set the planning type, the project values for reference date and time, as well as the
geographical position of the project. These data are essential for calculation of the sun angle which is
important for any shadow calculation.
Figure 73: Helios 3D Palette - Project Tab
6.1 Project Settings
Depending on your choice, different functionality will be available in the

other tabs of Helios 3D Palette. The setting “Ground Mounted” will hide all
roof functions, meanwhile “Roof Top” will display it.
You can drag the slider to the left and right or click it to switch between
the two options.
Set to December(North)/June(South) 21, 12:00
Resets date and time to the default sun settings. The common reference date for northern hemisphere is
December 21st at 12:00 o'clock and for southern hemisphere its June 21st, 12:00 o'clock.
We recommend using the particular default values for date and time!
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6.1.1 Setting the Geographical Position / Location
Set Geo Position
Starts the Civil 3D function for setting the geographical position. You well get prompted to select the way for
setting the location in Civil 3D command line.
GEOGRAPHICLOCATION Set location from [Map File] <Map>:
Map
Opens the dialog for the Geographic Location. You should select this option, if you want to select the
location in a Bing map (connection with the Autodesk cloud service – Autodesk 360 – needed) or if you want
to insert coordinates manually (also possible when offline).
File
Opens the file selection dialog of your Microsoft Explorer for selecting a KMZ or KML file. After that, the
location will be read from the selected file and displayed in the Geographic Location dialog.
Both ways will first show the following dialog, so you need to decide whether using live maps offered by the
online service or not. For using the service you need to register an Autodesk 360 account.
Figure 74: Civil 3D Request for Using Live Data from the Autodesk Cloud
Once you confirmed your decision with <Yes>, you need to restart Civil 3D for being able to change
it. The request will then show up again.
The dialog “Geographic Location” shows a live map from Bing and an insertion line for locations on top. You
can navigate through the map or insert an address. Without a connection to the online service both, the map
and the insertion line will be disabled.
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Figure 75: Civil 3D Dialog "Geographic Location" with Online Connection Enabled
Latitude, longitude and height will automatically get calculated by either the selection in the map or the
selection of a KMZ/KML file. Without an online connection you can also enter these values manually in the
displayed fields.
When ready, you can hit <Next> to go to the following dialog.
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Figure 76: Select Coordinate System for the Geographical location
here you need to select the coordinate system, the drawing unit (always meters) and the time zone.
When hitting <Next> the dialog gets closed and you will get prompted in Civil 3D command line to insert a
reference point for the location in your drawing.
GEOGRAPHICLOCATION Select a point for the location <0.000, 0.000, 0.000>:
For precisely fitting the geomapping (map will show up as drawing background) you should select a
corresponding reference point. Otherwise you can select any location next to or on your surface.
After that you need to show the north direction with your mouse or enter the angle in command line.
GEOGRAPHICLOCATION Specivey the north direction or [Angle] <Angle>:
Here you can hold the shift key for activating the Ortho Mode and then point into the drawing with your
mouse. It’s essential that the line precisely points to the top, as displayed in the next figure.
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Figure 77: Setting the North Direction
The reference point in the drawing will be marked with the and the background of the drawing will show
the geographical mapping (live data of the map).
For hiding the geographic mapping please enter the “geomap” command to the command line.
GEOMAP Select map type [Aerial Road Hybrid Off] <Aerial>:
Then type “O” for turning “Off” the live map in the background and hit return.
Time – Related Data

The following picture detail of the “Project Settings” you can do all settings for the drawing.
Figure 78: Date Settings of the Drawing & Location Data
The values for “Date” and “Time” are reference values for the current drawing. These values are used to
calculate the sun angle as basis for shadow calculations in Helios 3D.
Actually Helios 3D always uses the manual sun angle value for its calculations. The manual sun angle is set
equal to the calculated sun angle any time it gets recalculated, but it can get changed by the user. In that
case the color of the displayed date, time and sun angle turns red as a sign they are currently not used.
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Among others, the manual sun angle is used for calculating the row distances for placement.
Azimuth and latitude are calculated from geo position, date and time.
The fields for longitude and latitude always display the selected geographical position in decimal format. If
these values do not match the geographic location, please set the geo position again.
Please note that in this place the latitude value is colored red when the current location belongs to
southern hemisphere. This is an optical signal for the mentioned circumstance and it is NOT a hint at
an error!
6.1.2 Definition Azimuth and Altitude
The azimuth of an object is the angle between a reference vector and the vector from an observer (origin) to
a point of interest (object) onto a reference plane.
By convention the azimuth is the angle between north and the perpendicular projection of an object onto the
horizon. Measuring starts in the north and continues in eastward direction.
The altitude (height) is the position of an object above the observer’s horizon, measured in degrees along a
line between the horizon and the zenith (of the observer).
The following figure displays the coherence between azimuth and altitude:
Figure 79: Azimuth ψ and Altitude α
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7 Terrain
First step in planning a photovoltaic plant is an analysis of the terrain for evaluation of the suitability of a
terrain. As an expansion of the Civil 3D functions, Helios 3D provides additional functionality and easier
handling for analysis. In contrary to Civil 3D the results of an analysis will be displayed three-dimensional.
In the palette tab “Terrain” you can select a terrain, area or field for analysis from the selection list displayed
below. Those must have been registered in “Placement” tab before, so they are listed here.
Afterwards you can configure and run a height, slope or direction analysis for the selected area.
Figure 80: Terrain Tab - Analyze
For reason that configuration and profile management are perfectly equal for all kinds of analysis, a detailed
description follows in section .
Height Analysis
Here you can analyze an area with reference to its altitude ranges. The following figure shows an example
configuration.
Figure 81: Terrain – Height Analysis
Slope Analysis
Here you can analyze an area with reference to its slope. The following figure shows an example
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configuration.
Figure 82: Terrain – Slope Analysis
Direction Analysis
Here you can analyze an area with reference to its direction. The following figure shows an example
configuration.
Figure 83: Terrain – Direction Analysis
For all of these types of analysis you can set a discrete color value for a certain interval by clicking a
color field in “Color Configuration” list. These changes are completely independent from each other
as well as from the interpolated color gradient. You can use that to highlight exceedence of a limit,
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e.g. all intervals above the maximum slope value of a ramming machine.
7.1 Buttons of Terrain Analysis
Opens a selection of already saved color profiles/configurations. You can select

a profile and load its configuration for the current analysis run.
Saves the currently active color profile/ configuration as a new profile or

overwrites an existing one.
Manages saved color profiles. When pushing this button you can select a profile
for renaming it, deleting it or setting it as global default.
The global default profile will be used as default for all drawings.
Runs the analysis with the selected color profile and for the selected terrain,
area or field.
Hides the displayed analysis results. After that the results are lost but the faces
created during the analysis remain, so another analysis run will use these faces.
That causes an increased performance for later analyses at the cost of an
increased file size.
After pushing the <Hide> button it is needed to move the mouse cursor into the drawing space for
the drawing to get refreshed.
Opens the dialog for creating/changing a color profile for an analysis. Section
7.1.1 provides a detailed description of this dialog.
Range Min / Max

Initially displays the minimum and maximum values found for the selected DTM. These values, depending on
the type of analysis, can mean height (meters), slope (degrees) or direction (degrees). You can change
these values in the dialog for color configuration.
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7.1.1 Color Configuration
In the following dialog you can create or change a color configuration.
Figure 84: Terrain - <Configure...> - Color Configuration
Usage Range
In this section you can select between relative color gradient and absolute color gradient.
When <Relative> is selected, the color gradient splits between the minimum value and the maximum value
of the DTM. That means that the minimum of the drawing becomes the start value and the maximum of the
drawing becomes the end value.
When <Absolute> is selected, the color gradient splits between the values for <Start> and <End>. The input
fields for these values are only activated for the option <Absolute>.
The <Use Current Values> button reads the current values for start and end from the drawing and overwrites
the corresponding values in the fields.
Base Colors
In this section the quantity and order of the used base colors can be set.
By left clicking a color field the Civil 3D “Select Color” dialog appears. Right clicking a color opens the
context menu displayed below. In this context menu you can copy the color to the clipboard or overwrite the
color of the field by a color from the clipboard.
Figure 85: Context menu for copying the color from the first color field (pale green) or inserting / overwriting
its color
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The input field <Quantity> sets the number of used base colors for interpolation of the color gradient.
Intervals
In this section you can set the intervals for the interpolation between the base colors. You can control the
intervals by the quantity of steps or the step width.
When entering the <Quantity>, the step width for each interval will be calculated by quantity and total range.
When entering the <Step width>, the quantity of steps will be calculated by step width and total range.
Based on the step quantity and the quantity of base colors, the color gradients get calculated and the
corresponding color hue gets assigned to each interval.
Preview
This preview always displays the color scheme for the intervals as result of the current settings in this dialog.
Here you can only configure the intervals and the calculation of the color gradient. For directly assigning a
color to an interval, please close this dialog with <OK> and left click the color field of the interval to open the
Civil “Select Color” dialog.
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8 Generators
The generators are two tools offered by Helios 3D for creating an array definition and faces for a roof.
8.1 Array Generator
The array generator can be used for creating the geometry of an array needed for planning (shadow free
placement in a terrain). Such a parametric array definition consist of a rack and the modules assigned to this
rack including additional values, e.g. for calculating the power of the array.
To achieve some general requirements for placement like shadow free, slope or other requirements
concerning installation, it is possible to enter several limiting values. Helios will check the validity of those
limits during placement. In case of exceedance of limit values the user gets an indication and (depending on
the case) the places causing problems are skipped for placement, e.g. when maximum slope is exceeded.
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The figure below displays an example array definition.
Figure 86: Generators Tab - Array Generator
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Any time you create a new definition for an array, module, rack or post you will get prompted to select a
folder for the new component. You can use that to categorize all components as you wish. Figure 87 shows
an example structure which is not binding.
Figure 87: Selection Dialog for a Component Folder
This procedure allows storing your component data in a manageable folder structure which can be changed
in Helios 3D Component Management. Another advantage is that you can store all data without any need to
move to the Component Management while working with the array generator.
8.1.1 Buttons of the Array Generator
New Array Definition
Opens the dialog for creating a new array (further information in section 8.1.2).
Copy Array Definition
Opens the dialog for entering a name for copied array. This can be useful if you need another array definition
with similar data, e.g. for the next smaller table.
Edit Array Definition
Switches to editing mode, so all input fields become editable.
Save Array Definition
Saves changes done to the current array definition.
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Delete Array Definition
Deletes the current array definition.
Cancel Editing
Cancels editing of the current array definition.
Open Array Drawing
Opens the array drawing. This geometry, shown in four different views, is needed for inserting an array
definition into a drawing. Please note that the drawing must always be newer than the last change to the
array definition.
Regenerate
Regenerates the arrays from drawing. This is needed for all changes which do not cause an automated
refresh. Before an array is going to be inserted there will always be a check if the drawing is newer than the
array definition. Otherwise you have to use this button to regenerate it.
Allows changing the visibility of some drawing elements. After changing the visibility of an
element the drawing must get regenerated. A detailed description follows in section
8.1.3.1.
Zooms to the geometry for all views of the array DWG.
8.1.2 New Array Definition
For any new array definition you will get prompted to select a component folder like displayed in Figure 87.
After that, please enter a name (component number) for the array definition.
All needed insertions can be done here in array generator. The geometry will automatically get calculated
and displayed, when all needed values have been inserted..
All input fields, which still need a valid value to be entered, are surrounded by a red frame .
The fields in Array Generator should get filled out in top-down direction, for reason some values are needed
for calculating following values. An example for that are “Length” and “Width” of the “Array Panel” section
which are calculated by the module dimensions and distances between the modules.
Module inclination can be set for any placement in the field properties, so one table can be used in different
projects/locations.
Here we describe the all sections of the rack generator (see Figure 86). For better overview all sections are
separately displayed here again.
The first section includes the component number/ naming of the rack and the possibility of connecting
smaller versions of the rack to the current rack definition.
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Array Here you can select an array definition from the list (database) or create a new
one. A selected definition can be changed by the (edit array definition) button
from toolbar.
Common
Component Number Here you can enter a component number or a distinct verbal description of the
component.
If you change an existing component number it is needed to refresh the value of
the “Array” list field from above.
Next Smaller Array In Helios you can create and connect a next smaller array to an array. Here you
can select or create the next smaller array model for the currently selected one.
That allows Helios to learn the whole 'product family' of an array, i.e. Helios can
load all connected arrays in one step, even a next smaller array of a next smaller
array.
The other settings are categorized on the tabs Common, Rack, Posts and Electric.
8.1.2.1 Common Tab
Module
Assigned Module Here you can create a new module or select a module from the database. When
you load a module from database its measuring data will be displayed in the
fields “Length”, “Width”, “Depth” and “Power”. These fields will get locked for
editing in that case.
You can find further information about creating a new module definition in section
8.1.4.
Length/Width/Depth In our default workflow these values will get loaded and lock for editing when
selecting or creating a module. These values are used for calculating the
geometrical data of the next section (“Array Panel”).
Orientation / Power Here you can set the orientation of the module. The orientation is needed for
calculating the “Array Panel”.
Generally the power will get loaded from database when selecting or creating a
module. This value is needed for calculating the peak power of the array.
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Module Rows/Columns Here you can enter the number of rows and the number of columns. This module
matrix is used for calculating the area of the “Array Panel”.
Module Gap Distance Here you can enter the gap distance between each module in x- and y-direction
X/Y (or horizontal and vertical direction). These gaps affect the area of the “Array
Panel”.
Bitmap for Rendering Here you can select an image file of the file types BMP, JPG or PNG as texture
material for rendering.
When you change this entry for an existing array definition, you will have to run a
new placement for any drawing so the rendering material will be inserted or
updated in the drawing.
Array Panel
Length/Width (mm/in) These measuring data are calculated by the arrangement of the modules, their
gap distances and the overhang values entered below.
Panel Height (measure Here you can enter the total height of the panel components excluding the posts.
A of the reference That means the added heights of crossing girders and purlins.
image)
In the future this value will be used to calculate the required post lengths.
Overhang Top/Bottom Here you can enter the distance the girders or binders extend beyond the module
mm/in (measure B of the in the vertical direction (not common).
reference image)
These measuring data enlarge the total area needed for an array (in addition to
the area defined by the modules). These components must be considered for
calculating shadows as well as for calculating the distances between the rows
and the arrays of a row.
Overhang Left/Right Here you can enter the distance the purlins extend beyond the module in the
(mm/in) (measure B of horizontal direction.
the reference image)
These measuring data enlarge the total area needed for an array (in addition to
the area defined by the modules). These components must be considered for
calculating shadows as well as for calculating the distances between the rows
and the arrays of a row.
Table Type
East-West Mirrors the geometry defined above in the distance set below. The combination of
the original and the mirrored geometry can be used for placement with east-west-
alignment.
Distance (mm/in) Distance between the mirrored and the original geometry in mm/in.
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Single-Axis-Tracker For single-axis-trackers there are some presettings for the array definition and
the option “Rotation Distance” gets activated.
E.g. the array height gets defined by the post height and there is just a single row
of posts.
Rotation Distance The rotation distance defines the rotation point measured in the distance to the
post head for non-zero module inclanation angles.
8.1.2.2 Rack Tab
Rack
Assigned Rack Here you can define a new rack definition or load a definition from the database
including optionally connected components and information.
How to define a new rack is described in detail in section 8.1.5.
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Length/Width (mm/in) When the options “Link Length” respectively “Link Width” are active (hooked)
these measuring data will be copied from the “Array Panel” values. Otherwise
you can enter both values by hand.
Link Length / Width These options must be active for Helios to calculate the total extends of an array
definition on its own. Otherwise you must enter these values by hand.
Height Min/Max (mm/in) The minimum height is the distance between the ground and the bottom of the
(measure C of the module plane (photovoltaic active area). This is the important reference point for
reference image) the calculation of shadow.
The maximum height must be equal to the minimum value at this point of
development. In the future Helios will provide functionality for placing all racks of
a row within one plane (so that all modules are in one plane, too). Then, this
value represents the maximum height of the rack above the terrain by static
reasons.
Module Inclination The range of the angle that the modules can be adjusted to the rack. These
Min/Max (degree) values are used for reference in a project. That allows Helios to detect the
exceedance of technical limits.
Module Inclination The default value for the module inclination is used for the geometry displayed in
Default (degree) the drawing of the table definition and it is a reference for the post settings.
The distance settings for the posts base on this inclination angle and they will get
adapted for other angles appropriately.
Max. Slope (degree) For static reasons, racks can only be placed with a limited slope. Here you can
enter the maximum slope of the grade that the rack will be placed on as a limit.
Distance Reference (at The distance at slope between two racks can refer to the array surface or to the
Slope) rack (the option <Floor> will follow soon). If the distance at slope refers to the
array surface the input fields for “Overhang Left/Right (mm/in)” will get
deactivated.
Overhang Top/Bottom These measure values extend the dimensions of the rack by technically needed
(mm/in) additional measurements. These types of overhang are also considered when
calculating the row distances and the distances between the tables. An example
for such an additional measurement can be devices for enhancing ballast for roof
planning.
Overhang Left/Right These measure values extend the dimensions of the rack by technically needed
calculating the row distances and the distances between the tables. An example
for such an additional measurement can be devices for enhancing ballast for roof
planning.
Fix Height to Post There is no functionality for the option “Fix Height to Post Height”, yet.
Height / Bottom Edge
The bottom edge at the front of a rack (can be set at the point “Height Min” and
meets the measure C) is the rotation axis of the array area for meeting the pitch.
So the rotation axis is territorially constant.
Fix Post Height (mm/in) - no functionality implemented, yet -
Rack Type Post / Fix A rack with posts can get placed in uneven terrain because the posts can be fit to
the terrain by the post length or by the ram depth.
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A fix rack consists of a frame which can only be installed on a plain terrain.
Installation Detached / For detached installations the post offsets on the left and on the right of the rack
Connected will be considered for placement.
For connected installations the post offsets will only be considered for placement
of the first and the last rack of a row. Where two racks are connected they share
one post for both of them.
Permitted Rack Position Here you can set where a rack can be placed. Possible positions are at the start
Start / Middle / End point of a row, at the end of a row or in the middle of a row (in between other
racks). Of cause all combinations are possible here.
8.1.2.3 Post Tab
Post
Default Ram Depth Means the intrusion depth of the post into the soil.
(mm/in)
Default Post This post definition will be used for inserting the post geometry into the drawing
when running the placement.
Rows Set the number of post rows used for the rack definition. 3 or 4 post rows are only
available for mirrored racks, which can be used for east-west-aligned placement.
The settings for the 3rd and 4th post will also get mirrored, so in the next steps you
just need to set up the settings for the other ones.
Post Distance Select if the post distances should be fix for any module inclination angle at the
Reference table area (post heads) or on the ground.
Depending on this selection, the values entered to the following lines will get
adjusted at the table area (post head) or on the ground, when the module
inclination for the placement differs from the default inclination of the rack
definition.
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Distance Front to 1st Define the distance between the table front and the center of the post (top of the
Row (mm/in) line that marks the center axis) in module plane.
Depending on the selection of the reference made above, this value is fixing for
all module inclination angles at the post head (table area) or on the ground.
For changing this value, the selection box in this line must be activated (hooked).
It can only get activated by inactivating one of the other two post distance
options.
Distance 1st to 2nd Row Define the distance between the first and the second post row, measured
(mm/in) between their central axes in the module plane.
options.
Distance Back to 2nd Define the distance between the table back and the center of the post (top of the
Row (mm/in) line that marks the center axis) in module plane.
options.
Default Count per Row / Set the default number of post columns. The distance between the posts is
Distance calculated automatically, whenever the counter is changed.
You can overwrite this value by the parameter settings for the table on
placement tab of the Helios 3D palette.
Offset Left / Right Set the offset for the outer posts of each row. The offset is measured from the
center axis of the posts to the left/right end of the table.
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8.1.2.4 Electric Tab
Electric
Wire Lengths by Module This value means the cable run between the cable ducts and the connection
Rows (mm/in) points of the module rows.
Multiple values reference the module rows starting at the front and running to the
back. The values must get separated each by a semicolon.
Example: 300;920
Distance to center of 1st module row: 300 mm/in
Distance to center of 2nd module row: 920 mm/in
Wire Length to Floor Means the cable run between the connection point of the cable duct and the
(mm/in) entering point of the cable to the soil.
8.1.3 Array Drawing
The drawing of the table (see Figure 88) has a symbolic character for optical representation of the inserted
parameters. If you want to present a realistic geometry of an array, e.g. for a presentation or a rendering,
such a geometry can be created with AutoCAD functionality as detailed as you wish. Afterwards you can use
reference points to insert the geometry into your drawing with the block import function. For any future
placement in that project this block will be inserted.
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Please note that there will be a fix pitch for all tables in this case because you cannot use the variable pitch
functionality in a block.
Figure 88: Geometry of an Array in Civil 3D
8.1.3.1 Visibility
The <Visibility> button allows displaying or hiding the drawing elements of an array definition. All
components available for visibility management are displayed in Figure 89. After all changes concerning
visibility are done, you have to return to the drawing area with your mouse cursor for regenerating the
drawing.
Figure 89: Elements you can Hide or Show by using the <Visibility> Button.
Rack
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You can hide or show the BoundingBox, the maximum height and the maximum Slope of the rack.
Array Area
You can hide or show the maximum pitch, the 3d-body and the polyline of the array area.
The following figure displays the different view with a selection of the described visibility options.
Figure 90: Array Geometry with Stepwise Hiding of the Components BoundingBox, Slope and Pitch
Modules
You can also hide or show the modules as displayed in the following figure.
Figure 91: Array Geometry with Shown (on the left) and Hidden (on the right) Modules
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8.1.4 New Module Definition
For any new module definition you will get prompted to select a component folder like displayed in Figure 87.
Afterwards you can enter the master data for the module (Component Description, Component Language,
Parameters, and Data of the Component Type (Module)) and you can connect an image of the module.
Below we describe the input fields of the dialog section “Data of the Component Type (Module)”. For the
default master data for any component we refer to section 3.3.1.
Helios 3D only needs the values for “Component Number”, measuring data (“Length”, “Width”,
“Height”) and “Power WP”. All further inputs are optional and can be added for future functionality.
Data of the Component

Type (Module)
Module Type Here you can select a module type from the list.
Cells per Module / Module Here you can enter the number of cells per module and the area of the module.
Surface
Nominal Power WP Here you can enter the power of the module for MPP. This value means the
peak power at MPP which can be reached by the default conditions with an
irradiance of 1.000 W/m², a module temperature of 25°C and an AM (Air Mass)
of 1,5.
Voltage MPP (V) / Current These values are inscriptions of the manufacturer and mean the voltage and
MPP (A) the current flow at nominal power of the module.
Voltage OC (V) / Current These values are inscriptions of the manufacturer and mean the open circuit
SC (A) voltage and the short circuit current of the module.
System Voltage / Max. These values are inscriptions of the manufacturer and mean the default system
System Voltage (V) voltage and the maximum system voltage.
Temperature Coefficient These values are inscriptions of the manufacturer and mean the dependency of
Pmmp / Voc power drain for nominal power respectively for open circuit voltage on the
temperature. . (power coefficient, voltage coefficient)
Temperature Coefficient This value is an inscription of the manufacturer and means the dependency of
Isc short circuit current on the temperature. (current coefficient)
Temperature Coefficient These values are inscriptions of the manufacturer and mean the voltage
Vmpp / Ampp coefficient respectively the current coefficient at nominal power.
Efficiency (%) This value is an inscription of the manufacturer and means the degree of
efficiency of the module as percentage.
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8.1.5 New Rack Definition
Please note that creating a definition in database is only recommended if a rack is reused several times.
Normally the default procedure is preferred, i.e. that all data needed for a rack are inserted directly in the
Array Generator.
If you want to create a rack definition you will get prompted to select a component folder like displayed in
Figure 87 before the master data dialog appears.
Here you have to enter the default data for any component as described in section 3.3.1 and then you can
enter the “Data of the Component Type (Rack)”. Additionally you can create several combinations of
permitted assembly parts to a panel.
Data of the Component

(Rack)
Rack Type Fix / Posts Fix racks consist of a fix frame which cannot be matched to uneven surfaces.
A rack with posts can be placed in uneven terrain because the post can be
matched by length and ramming depth.
Variant Fixed / Flexible The fixed variant consists of fix posts. These can be adjusted to uneven
surfaces by using different lengths or ram depths.
The flexible variant consists of flexible posts. These can be adjusted to uneven
surfaces by deformation.
Insert Position Here you can select of a rack can be placed at the start, in the middle (between
other racks) or at the end of a row. Alternatively you can select “All” positions,
too.
Min. Height / Max. Height The minimum height is the height of the lowest corner of the area defined by
(mm/in) the upside of the modules (photovoltaic active area). This is the important
reference point for the calculation of shadow.
The maximum height must be equal to the minimum value at this point of
development. In the future Helios will provide functionality for placing all racks
of a row within one plane (so that all modules are in one plane, too). Then, this
value represents the maximum height of the rack above the terrain by static
reasons.
Pitch Angle Min/Max (°) These values are used for reference of technical limits in a project. They mean
the range of the angle that the rack can be adjusted to.
Max. Slope (°) For static reasons, arrays can only be placed with a limited slope. Here you can
enter the maximum slope of the grade that the array will be placed on.
Overhang Top/Bottom These measure values extend the dimensions of the rack by technically needed
calculating the row distances and the distances between the tables. An
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example for such an additional measurement can be devices for enhancing
ballast for roof planning.
Overhang Left/Right These measure values extend the dimensions of the rack by technically needed
calculating the row distances and the distances between the tables. An
example for such an additional measurement can be devices for enhancing
ballast for roof planning.
Post Offset Top/Bottom Enter the distance of the post to the lower (bottom) front edge of the first
(mm/in) module row in mm/in (for bottom).
This distance value exactly leads from the center of the post (point on top of the
line which marks the center axis of the post) perpendicular to the virtual line,
which runs through the lower front edge of the modules (see Figure 92).
The post offset on top leads from the center point of the last post row to the
lower back edge of the last module row.
Figure 92: Measuring Points Post Offset Bottom (Front)
Post Offset Left/Right Here you can enter the distance of the outer post columns to the end of the
(mm/in) module area on each side in mm/in. That means the distance of the 1st post
column (center point of a post) to the left bottom edge of the module area (see
Figure 93) respectively the distance of the last post to the right bottom edge of
the module area. This setting is used for each row of posts.
Remark: Only one value is needed here because both sides will always be
treated equally!
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Figure 93: Measuring Points Post Offset Left Side
Fix Front Bottom Edge Here you can select the meaning of the value in the field on the right. You can
Height (mm/in) / Fix Post choose between the height of the height of the front bottom edge and the post
Height (mm/in) height.
Number of Post Rows Here you can enter the number of post rows. The number of posts per row can
be set in the parameters dialog for each placement.
Default Post Here you can select a post definition or create a new one. That post will be
directly connected to this rack (and possibly others). Section 3.3.2 describes
how to create a post.
Default Post Distance Here you can enter the default distance between posts.
Default Ram Depth Here you can enter the default ram depth for the posts. That means the default
(mm/in) embedment depth that a post will be rammed into the ground.
Permitted Assembly Parts to Panel Combinations

Here you can manage all permitted combinations of panels and assembly parts. For each combination you
can assign multiple assembly parts and panels. All functions can be found in the context menu of the list as
displayed in the following figure.
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Figure 94: List of the Permitted Assembly Parts to Panel Combinations
You can assign a new combination, delete an assignment or to refresh the list. The option “Assign...” opens
the dialog displayed below for creating a new assignment.
Figure 95: Dialog for Creating new Assembly Parts to Panel Combinations
In the upper list all existing combinations are listed. There you can create or edit a combination by using the
context menu (called by right click). The dialogs for creating, editing or copying a combination equal each
other. The following figure shows the dialog for creating a record which allows to enter a description and to
manage the list of assembly parts and the list of modules.
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Figure 96: Dialog for Creating/Changing a Combination Record of Assembly Parts to Panels
You can manage the “List of Assembly Parts” as well as the “List of Permitted Modules” in both dialogs (see
Figure 47 and Figure 48) by the corresponding context menu. The provided functions of these context
menus are “New...” selection, “Insert Copy”, “Edit” selection and “Delete” selection.
8.2 Generators – Roof Generator
The Roof Generator is displayed below and allows to calculate and afterwards to create the faces of a roof
by entering different combinations of values.
Figure 97: Roof Generator of the Generators Tab in Helios Palette
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8.2.1 Buttons of the Roof Generator
Calculates the roof based on the inserted values. As long as more input is
needed for calculating all values, the red message will be displayed like in
Figure 97. When all calculations have been successful the results are displayed
in the inactive input fields and the message switches to “Calculation Valid!!!”.
Deletes the results of the last calculation and resets the values of the inactive
input fields to 0.00. After pressing this button you have to run the calculations
again because a valid calculation result is needed for entering the 3d faces.
Inserts the calculated roof into the drawing. For that you have to select an insert
point and a rotation angle. Please note that the results of a valid calculation run
are needed before you can insert the roof.
Creates a new face based on the edge of an existing face. For that you can use
the options "Enter Width", "Change Edge", "Angle to Neighboring Face" and
"Finish", offered in command line or you can use the mouse pointer.
You can select a command in command line, just in typing the highlighted letter.
For the option “Change Edge” the mouse cursor should be close to the new
edge when entering the command.
The options “Adjust UCS to Face” and “Adjust View to Face” will automatically
adjust the UCS respectively the view depending on the selected face.
Calls the AutoCAD command for creating 3D faces by entering definition points.
Creates a surface out of the selected 3D faces and automatically registers the
faces as fields.
Neighboring faces within the same plane get joined to the same field, while other
faces will turn into different fields.
Roof Length (m/ft) [A]

Enter the roof length (corresponding to edge A in the sketch) in m/ft.
Total Base Width (m/ft) [B]

Enter the total base length (corresponding to edge B in the sketch) in m/ft. That means the horizontal
distance between the lengthwise outer edges (A) of the roof.
Base Width 1 (m/ft) [C]

Enter base width 1 (corresponding to edge C in the sketch) in m/ft. That value means the horizontal distance
to roof peak.
Base Width 2 (m/ft) [D]

Enter base width 2 (corresponding to edge D in the sketch) in m/ft. That value means the horizontal distance
to roof peak.
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Ridge Height (m/ft) [E]
Enter the height of the roof ridge (corresponding to edge E in the sketch) in m/ft. That means the distance
from the ridge (E) to the horizontal line (B).
Edge Length (m/ft) [F]

Enter the edge length (corresponding to edge F in the sketch) in m/ft. This value means length of the truss
top chord.
Edge Length (m/ft) [G]

Enter the edge length (corresponding to edge G in the sketch) in m/ft. This value means length of the truss
top chord.
Angle / Roof Pitch (°) [H]

Enter the H angle in degrees. That means the angle between the horizontal line (B or C) and the truss top
chord (F).
This value can also get defined by selecting points in the drawing if you use the angle-button on the right.
Angle / Roof Pitch (°) [I]

Enter the I angle in degrees. That means the angle between the horizontal line (B or D) and the truss top
chord (G).
This value can also get defined by selecting points in the drawing if you use the angle-button on the right.
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9 Placement
The “Placement” tab provides all functions for placing arrays. You can add areas, fields, exclusion zones and
requirement type zones to a terrain. These are used to set up the conditions for placement.
The structure of the “Structure” list represents the structure of the objects. The element on top is the terrain
(DTM). All other elements (area definitions) connected to the terrain. Areas are directly connected to the
terrain. Inside an area, and for that reason directly connected to that area, you can create fields. For each
field you can set up a placement configuration for arrays.
Exclusion zones and requirement type zones (both of them as collections) as well as horizontal and vertical
adjustment lines are tools for structuring the placement of array rows.
While proceeding a placement, Helios creates a collection of rows. A row also is an enumerated collection of
tables.
The following figure displays an example for the described structure in “Placement” tab of Helios Palette.
Figure 98: Structure List in Placement Tab with a Detailed Placement Example
Another function provided by the Placement tab is the calculation of shadow caused by objects inside or
close to a placement area. For that you can add Shadow Objects to a drawing. This kind of objects can
partially or completely shadow DTMs and pv-arrays. For any Shadow Object you can calculate its shadow on
the terrain. Any Shadow Object gets added to the “Shadow Objects” collection on registration and is
displayed in structure list as you can see in the following figure.
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Figure 99: Structure List with Shadow Objects
The symbol in front of any Shadow Object allows thawing or freezing all already calculated shadow
lines within one click. When there are different freezing states for the layers connected to one Shadow
Object the – Symbol will appear.
A detailed description follows in section 9.9.3.3 .
9.1 Buttons of Structure List
Add Area Definition
Here you can add selected polylines or lines as area definition or draw one of them as an area definition like
displayed below.
Figure 100: Menu “Add Area Definition” with all of its Submenus
You can directly “Draw” an area, a field, an exclusion zone, a requirement type zone, an adjustment line or a
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split line or you can add an existing polyline or line (only for vertical adjustment lines) as one of these to the
database.
Another function is to register objects as shadow objects or to directly insert any of the shadow objects we
provide (such as “Tree”, “Bush”, “Trunk/Pillar”, “Block” and a house with saddle or hipped roof).
Delete Area Definition
Deletes an area definition from the database and shows a request whether the object should also be deleted
from the drawing.
Zoom to Area Definition
Zooms into the drawing until the selected object completely fills the screen.
Label
Adds a label with the name of the selected area or field to the drawing.
When you select an object in the drawing it will automatically get selected (marked) in the structure tree.
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9.1.1 Context Menu
The context menu of the structure list is displayed below for two situations. On the left a field is selected and
on the right a shadow object is selected.
Figure 101: Context Menu of the Structure List in Placement Tab
Add & Draw

The submenus of these points equal those of the <Add Area Definition> button.
Delete
Deletes all selected objects except for DTMs.
Refresh
Refreshes the structure list.
Zoom
Zooms into the drawing so that the selected object fills the screen.
Rename
Allows renaming areas, fields, exclusion zones and requirement type zones.
Field Section
The menu section for field functions (from point “Auto Detect First Row” up to “Reset”) contains the same
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functions like the buttons for “Placement” in the field “Properties” (see section ). So you can start any kind of
placement with the currently set settings in the field properties. Changing the properties is only possible in
the field properties.
Delete Single Shadows

Deletes all single shadows ever calculated for the selected shadow objects.
Delete All Shadows

Deletes all shadows ever calculated for the selected shadow objects.
Calculate Object Shadows

Here you can start the shadow calculation for the selected shadow objects with the settings set in the objects
properties. You can only change these settings in the properties of the shadow object (see section ).
9.2 Area Definitions in General
You can draw an area definition in top view or add an existing object (line of the corresponding type) to the
database.
Additionally to the <Add Area Definition> button (see Figure 100) of the “Placement” tab you can find all
functions to add an area definition in the context menu of the structure list and the extended context menu of
Civil 3D.
9.3 Areas
Consist of a closed “Polyline” or “3D Polyline” which must completely be located inside a DTM. Helios 3D
automatically creates a connection between the area and the digital terrain it is located in.
9.4 Fields
Consist of a closed “Polyline” or “3D Polyline” which must completely be located inside an area. Helios 3D
automatically creates a connection between the field and the area it is located in.
In the following subsections we describe the properties of a selected field.
9.4.1 Placement (Field Tab)
In the “Field” tab you can set the placement options for a field. The following figure displays the all options for
placing arrays.
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Figure 102: Field Tab of the Field Properties
9.4.1.1 Buttons of the Field Tab
Automated Placement
Automatically searches a start point for placement of the first row. Here the first array will be placed in the
very south of a field, each row starting on the left and ending on the right (can be switched by the placement
option “Place Right-Aligned”).
Optimized Placement
The start point will automatically be identified and placement will get optimized to the maximum number of
arrays. For that the increment in meters is needed. This increment can be set with the small down arrow of
this button.
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This function calculates additional placement runs by moving the start point of the first row backwards,
incrementally. When the new start point reaches the start point of the second row from the original
calculation, the optimization will stop. Finally, the start point with the maximum number of arrays will be used.
Use Saved Optimized Start Point
The saved optimized start point refers to the start point used for the last “Optimized Placement”.
Show Start Point
The position of the first array can be shown by pointing at the insert point in the drawing with your mouse.
Use Shown Start Point
The last start point used by the function “Show Start Point” will be used for placement.
Define Start Point Manually (only for manual placement)
Define a start point for each row of arrays manually, by pointing to a location with your mouse. Any
disturbance for placement in a row, leads to an immediate abort. So you have to define additional start points
if you want to continue a row behind an exclusion zone or behind a gap, caused by a maximum slope
exceedance.
Start Manual Placement
Place arrays based on manual start points for the selected fields (one row per start point).
Any disturbance of placement in a row leads to an immediate abort, but only for that row. In that case
another start point definition is needed before running the manual placement again.
Reset Placement
Resets the placement for all selected fields.
Sort Rows by Cable Trench
This function reorganizes rows with tables of different sizes, so that smaller tables get moved close to the
cable trench. For that, after starting this function, you will get prompted to select a single cable trench.
For multiple trenches inside one field, you need to run this function several times. Rows which do not cross
the used cable trench will not get changed.
The following figure displays the selection list for the “Requirement Type”. At the right of the selection list you
can see the number of array definitions currently selected for this type.
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Figure 103: Selection of the Requirement Type
There must always be at least one array definition selected for the selected requirement type. Otherwise the
message at the right side of the selection list says “0 arrays selected”. For the last case you have to go to the
“Arrays” tab and select an array definition (see section Arrays by Requirement Types (Arrays Tab)).
Section “Placement Options”:
Opens the menu for selecting a saved profile. When you select a profile all its setting will get loaded.
Opens the menu for saving the current settings in a profile. There you can ...
… save the placement settings as a new profile or overwrite an

existing one.
Opens the menu for managing a saved profile. That allows you ...
… to rename ...
… or to delete the drawing, ...
… to set it as drawing ...
… or as global default.
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9.4.1.2 Filling Parameters
You can enter and activate or deactivate the “Filling Parameters” displayed below in this dialog.
Figure 104: Placement – Properties – Field – Placement Properties – Filling Parameters
Date / Time
Enter date and time for the specific placement. This value overwrites the project setting for the selected field.
Switch row start point

Switches the row start point depending on the original start point. For a standard placement the rows start on
the right side of the field instead of on the left (default). When placing east-west racks or trackers it works
equivalent for north-south-placements.
North-South-Placement
Makes the rows getting placed in north-south direction or vice versa, depending on the option “Switch row
startpoint”. This option is meant for east-west racks and trackers, but it also works for standard racks.
Calculate Shadow
Calculates the shadow for each table and marks all arrays of the following rows which are hit by that shadow
(criterion is that at least one module must be hit). This function is useful if a criterion for shadow free
placement should be disregarded for placement, e.g. when the option “Row Distance to Average” is
selected.
Ignore max. Slope

With this option activated the value for maximum slope of the array will be disregarded for placement.
Row Distance to Average

Activates the selection list for averaging the row distance. There you can select between “Arithmetic”
(arithmetic mean/average), “Quadratic” (root mean square) and “Geometric”.
"Quadratic" gives more importance to high values and "Geometric" uses the product of all values for
averaging instead of the sum.
Setting the row distance to any type of average will cause a shortfall of the minimum distance needed for
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shadow free placement. To show shadowed arrays after placement, please activate the option “Calculate
Shadow”.
Synchronize Rows
When multiple fields are selected with this option activated, starting a placement will create synchronized
rows of arrays between these fields. So the rows of these fields will be in one optical line overall.
Of cause this option reduces the total number of arrays.
Sun Angle (degree)

Sun angle calculated by the geographic position of the project and the date-time setting for the selected field.
Manual Sun Angle (degree)

Entering a manual sun angle overrides the calculated sun angle. During placement, the manual sun angle
will always get used. Changing the date or time will set this value to the calculated sun angle again.
Module Inclination (°)

Here you can set the module inclination for each array of the selected field.
9.4.1.3 Panel Limits
As “Panel Limits” you can activate and set the minimum and maximum values displayed below.
Figure 105: Placement – Properties – Field – Placement Properties – Panel Limits
Min. / Max. Row Distance

Sets the minimum and maximum distance between a row and its following row.
Min. / Max. Arrays per Row

Sets the minimum and maximum number of arrays per row.
Min. / Max. Power per Row
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Sets the minimum and maximum number of array per row by the total power of that row in KW p.
Max. Field Power

Sets the maximum number of arrays for the field by the total power of the whole field in KW p.
Array Distance
Sets the distance between neighboring arrays within a row.
Allowed Overhang
Sets the allowed overhang for arrays at the end of the field. This setting is useful if there are many rows with
gaps at the end of the field and these gaps being just slightly smaller than an array.
9.4.1.4 Shadow
Here you can set the option “Min. Distance (height) between Shadow and Bottom Edge of the Array” and the
option “Allowed Shadow in Array Plane (m)”. The last option means that the shadow of a row can reach into
the modules of the next row. So in this case a minimal shadowing of the arrays of the next row is acceptable.
The following figure displays this section.
Figure 106: Placement – Properties – Field – Placement Options – Shadow
Min. Distance (height) between Shadow and Array Bottom Edge

Allows to change the security premium for distance between shadow and array bottom edge. So shadow
freeness is granted for all modules.
Allowed Shadow in Array Plane (m)

Allows to add a tolerance for negligible shadowing of the modules during placement.
9.4.1.5 Placement Increment on Slope Exceedance
In case that surface slope exceeds the maximum slope of the rack, the array cannot be placed in the current
location. In that case the increment value is used as step width. Helios will try placing the next rack in the
distance of this value to the last rack. For each step Helios will add the value to the mentioned distance until
the slope of the location fits the limits of the rack.
As the following figure shows the increment can be set by an “Array Increment” (x times the rack length) or
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“User Defined (0)”, i.e. a fix number of meters.
Figure 107: Placement – Properties – Field – Placement Options – Placement Increment on Slope
Exceedance
9.4.1.6 Placement Increment for Placement with a Vertical Adjustment Line
For placement with a vertical adjustment line the inserted value will be used as incremental distance for
retrying the placement of a rack, in case a rack cannot be placed in the current location.
As the following figure shows the increment can be set by “Array Increment” (x times the rack length) or
“User Defined (m)”, i.e. a fix number of meters.
Figure 108: Placement – Properties – Field – Placement Options – Placement Increment for Placement with
a Vertical Adjustment Line
Please find a description about the different behaviors of vertical adjustment lines in section 9.7.1
“Placement Behavior with Vertical Adjustment Lines”.
9.4.1.7 Array Groups
This option allows placing groups of arrays inside a row and specifying the distance between these groups.
Figure 109: Placement - Properties – Field – Placement Options – Array Groups
When enabled, you can set the number of arrays contained in one group and the distance between
these groups. Inside a group, the regular array distance is considered.
If you want to use this function for creating access paths or service roads through the field, it is required
using row start points which are in line, so the arrays in upfollowing rows and with that also the gaps
between the groups are in line, too (see next figure).
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Figure 110: Array Groups for Service Roads
9.4.1.8 Collision Detection
This option allows to detect and avoid collisions between the modules and the surface. While during a
standard placement Helios 3D just checks the height of the rack in two points which depend on the height
reference, here you cannot just avoid that, but also set a collision distance and ensure there is some free
space between the modules and the surface.
.
Figure 111: Placement - Properties - Field - Placement Options - Collision Detection
Calculate Collision Enables the collision detection for placement.

Ignore Collision When enabled, arrays will get placed even if a collision is detected, just marked
with a magenta colored cross.
Collision Distance (m/ft) Sets the minimum distance allowed between the bottom of the modules and the
surface.
Array Increment For this setting the complete array will be skipped when a collision is detected.
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That provides the possibility of placing arrays in up following rows in one line.
Enabling this option disables the option “User Defined”.
User Defined (m/ft) With the user defined increment an array that is affected by a collision will be
moved by the set value and the collision detection is executed again. That will be
repeated until either the array can be placed or the end of the row is reached.
Enabling this option disables the option “Array Increment”.
9.4.2 Arrays by Requirement Types (Arrays Tab)
In the “Arrays” tab you can create different requirement types and add array definitions to each of them. For
a placement you will always need at least one requirement type with one or more array definitions connected
and selected.
That leads to the following connection chain:
Array Definition → Default Requirement Type → Field
The figure below displays an example for an array to requirement type connection.
Figure 112: Placement – Field Properties – Arrays
As you can see in Figure 112 you can add multiple arrays of different size to one requirement type. In that
case the first array in the list will always be the first one Helios tries to place in a location. Only if the first
array cannot be placed (e.g. not enough space any more) Helios tries to place another array definition of the
list in top-down order.
Multiple requirement types can be used to place different arrays or the same array with different parameters
in one field. For that you have to create requirement type zones and afterwards you can connect a
requirement type to a requirement type zone (see section 9.6).
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9.4.2.1 Buttons
Adds a new requirement type to the list.
Adds an array definition to the list. For that you can select an array from a list. That
includes the whole structure of "next smaller arrays" connected to the selected array, but
without them being automatically selected for placement (not hooked).
Deletes the current selection.
Refreshes the list.
Moves the selection upwards/downwards.

The order of arrays equals the priority of arrays, if the number of instances per field is
limited for an array definition.
Opens the master data dialog for the selected component (see section 9.4.2.2).
Opens the parameters dialog for the selected component (see section 9.4.2.3).
Loads the currently selected array definition into Table Generator.
9.4.2.2 Edit Component (Array)
This button opens the editing dialog of the master data of the selected array definition. This dialog consists of
the default sections for any component (see section 3.3.1) and the “Data of the Component Type (Array)”
(see section 8.1.2).
Please note that changes to the master data of a component affect other drawings and projects, too!
For that reason it can sometimes be wiser to use a copy of an existing array definition.
9.4.2.3 Edit Parameters (Rack)
You can change the parameters of one or more selected arrays (racks) in the dialog displayed below. These
parameters are connected to the selected entries of the “Arrays by Requirement Types” list but not to the
array definitions themselves.
So you can use the same array definition for different requirement types and different parameters. You can
use that to customize a rack to different surface or environment characteristics without splitting the field.
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Figure 113: Placement – Properties – Field – Arrays – Rack Parameters
Post Component
Here you can create or change a post component.
Attention!
This generally should not be the place for changing a post component, because the component
master from database is affected by all changes.
Post Length
Here you can see the length of the selected post. This entry cannot be edited here, but only in the post
master data or in array generator point “”Fix Post Height” (section “Rack”).
Post Quantity
Here you can change the number of post columns. That means the number of posts within a row alongside
the array length.
Minimum Ram Depth

Here you can enter a minimum ram depth, i.e. the minimum embedment depth that a post will be rammed
into the ground (overwrites the default ram depth).
Max. Number of Arrays

With this option activated (hooked) you can enter a maximum number of instances for this or these
arrays/racks.
Number of Placed Arrays

Here you can see the number of the selected arrays/racks currently placed in the drawing.
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9.4.3 Statistic
In the “Statistic” tab you can find the list displayed below. This list contains a protocol of the last placement
run. This information should help to analyze the last run and to optimize placement.
Figure 114: Placement – Field Properties – Statistic
Array Placement Results

Here you can see how many arrays and rows have been placed and when the placement has been run.
Additionally the sun angle, the minimum and maximum slope as well as the durations for the placement
steps deleting an old placement, calculating the new placement and inserting the results into the drawing.
You can also see the minimum, maximum and average row distance and a list of all used arrays and
modules including their quantity.
The point “Warnings” is very important. This counter increases every time the limits of a table are exceeded
(e.g. max. slope) during a placement. As a result no table has been placed in these locations (0 in Figure
114).
Shadow
Here you can see how many arrays are shadowed including a time stamp. That might happen if the
placement settings are not set for shadow free placement (e.g. with the option “Row Distance to Average”).
Total View
Here you can see the total results for the drawing after a new placement. That includes the total power of the
drawing and the component numbers and the quantity of all used arrays and modules.
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9.4.4 Roof Planning
Here you can find functionality for placing pv-modules on a roof.
Figure 115: Placement – Field Properties – Roof Planning
9.4.4.1 Buttons
Insert
Starts the placement with the given settings. You will get prompted by the command line to insert a start
point and an end point for the field of modules.
Select
Selects all modules of the same group like the already selected one.
Extend
Extends the selected modules and allows creating another module group with the same settings.
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Move
Moves the selected modules.
Copy
Copies the selected modules.
Reset
Resets all placements.
Passt das BKS* an das Feld an.
Passt die Ansicht an das BKS* an.
*) UCS = User Coordinate System
9.4.4.2 Panel Component
Here you can select a module from database as panel component. After that, all information of the
component will be displayed like you can see in the figure below. You can only change the value for
orientation. For changing other values you have to edit the master data of the module.
Figure 116: Placement – Field Properties – Roof Planning – Panel Component
9.4.4.3 Settings
The following figure displays the settings for placement.
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Figure 117: Placement – Field Properties – Roof Planning – Settings
Layer
Here you can select a layer for the modules from the list.
# Rows / Distance (mm/in)

Here you can enter the number of rows for grouping the modules and the distance between the rows inside
such a small group.
# Columns / Distance (mm/in)

Her you can enter the number of columns for grouping the modules and the distance between the columns
inside such a small group.
Roof Distance (mm/in)

Means the distance between the bottom of the modules and the plane of the roof.
Distance X/Y (mm/in)

Here you can set the distances to the edges of the roof in x- and y-direction.
Corridor Width X/Y (mm/in)

Here you can enter the width of the corridors between the groups of modules (these result from the number
of rows and columns) in x- and y-direction.
Module Increment
Here you can enter a guide value for the number of modules per row.
Simple / Middle / Exact

Here you can set the detail level for displaying the modules while showing the insertion points in the drawing.
The option “Simple” just shows one frame for every single group of modules. In “Middle” mode, the frame of
every single module is displayed and “Exact” shows the whole module as a volume. Depending on your
purpose you can increase the displaying quality at costs of performance or increase performance at costs of
fewer details during insertion. After insertion, all modules will always be displayed as volumes in your
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drawing.
9.4.4.4 Selection Statistics
In this section you can see some information about the selected modules.
Figure 118: Placement – Field Properties – Roof Planning – Selection Statistics
9.5 Exclusion Zones
Exclusion zones consist of closed polylines which mark an area, where no arrays should get placed. You can
use that to exclude an area inside a field from placement, e.g. because of extreme shadowing.
Every field has a collection of exclusion zones, which is hidden in structure list until there is at least one
exclusion zone connected.
Helios 3D automatically connects an exclusion zone to the corresponding field or fields (all fields it is
overlapping with). If you delete a polyline, Helios will remove it from all collections of any field it is connected
to.
The following figure shows the connection structure for the exclusion zones “Restricted Area” and
“Shadowing Zone” to “Field North”.
Figure 119: Example for the Connection Structure of Exclusion Zones
9.6 Requirement Type Zones
Requirement type zones consist of polylines which mark an area which includes different conditions (surface,
environment, …) for placement of racks.
For that, you can add an additional requirement type and you can connect to it a different array definition or
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the same array definition with different parameters. As an example you can strengthen the stability of the
rack by increasing the number of posts.
You have to connect a requirement type to the corresponding requirement type zone, so Helios will know
what array definition and configuration to use for this zone. For that go to the structure list and first select the
requirement type zone. In its properties you can select a requirement type from the list.
The figure below displays the connection structure of the requirement type zone “Sandy Ground” and in its
properties you can see that the requirement type “Sandy Terrain” is selected.
Figure 120: Properties of the Requirement Type Zone “Sandy Ground”
Besides the connection structure of the default requirement type
Array Definition → Default Requirement Type → Field (Properties)
the following connection structure applies to any requirement type zone X of the collection of a field:
Array Definition → Requirement Type → X → Requirement Type Zone → Field
The connection of a requirement type zone to a field is automatically managed by Helios 3D. In doing that,
Helios connects a requirement type zone to any field it is overlapping with.
9.6.1 Procedure for a Placement with Requirement Type Zones:
1. Select a field in “Structure” list of the “Placement” tab.
2. Go to the “Arrays” tab in the “Properties” of the field (see Figure 112) and create all needed
requirement types (at least one additional type to the default requirement type).
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3. Add the corresponding array definitions to each requirement type and set the rack parameters for
each array definition and for each requirement type (see section 9.4.2).
4. Create a requirement type zone (draw directly or add polyline).
5. Select the requirement type zone in “Structure” list of the “Placement” tab and in its “Properties”
select a requirement type from the list (Figure 120).
6. Select the field node in “Structure” list. If you want to use another requirement type as default for this
field than the regular “Default” requirement type, please select that type in the field “Properties” (see
Figure 103).
7. Start placement.
An example result of a placement with requirement type zone is displayed below:
Figure 121: Placement with Requirement Type Zone (increased number of posts)
9.7 Adjustment Lines
You have to manually connect an adjustment line to a field. For that reason, please first select a field node in
structure tree of the “Placement” tab.
There are two kinds of adjustment lines, the horizontal and the vertical adjustment lines.
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Horizontal Adjustment Lines
These consist of the AutoCAD Type “Line” and affect the orientation of the arrays. All arrays will be placed in
parallel to the adjustment line instead of the default orientation in y-direction (photovoltaic active area to the
south/north).
The following figure displays a placement with highlighted adjustment line. The orientation of the arrays
leads to south-east direction.
Figure 122: Display Detail of a Placement with Horizontal Adjustment Line
Vertical Adjustment Lines

These consist of the AutoCAD Type “Polyline” and affect the placement order of the arrays. In this case the
start point for each row lies on the adjustment line. All arrays are placed starting at the adjustment line to
both directions, to the left and to the right.
Options which contradict this behavior, like the “Place Right-Aligned” option of the “Filling Parameters” (see
section ), will be ignored.
The following figure displays a placement with highlighted vertical adjustment line. The left respectively the
right lower corner of the arrays nearly lies on the adjustment line. The small gap is caused by the set
distance between the arrays.
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Figure 123: Display Detail of a Placement with Horizontal Adjustment Line
9.7.1 Placement Behavior with Vertical Adjustment Lines
The behavior of the placement with vertical adjustment lines gets affected by the following placement
options:
 Place Right-Aligned
 Array Distance
 Placement Increment for Placement with a Vertical Adjustment Line
Here we describe the effects of the single options for the calculated insertion positions of the arrays.
1. Alignment and Array Distance:

For left-aligned placement, which makes usual rows run from the left to the right, a placement with
vertical adjustment line starts on the right side of the line. When the row part on the right of the line is
complete, the left of the line gets placed with consideration of the set array distance.
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Figure 124: Vertical Adjustment Line with Left-Aligned Placement
In contrary to that the right-aligned placement starts on the left of the adjustment line. So the array distance
must be respected on the right side of the line.
Figure 125: Vertical Adjustment Line with Right-Aligned Placement
2. Placement Increment with Vertical Adjustment Line

The placement increment sets the distance increment for HELIOS 3D, for finding the insertion point of an
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array, when the original insertion point close to the adjustment line is not valid.
If the adjustment line is outside the field or if it leads through an exclusion zone, the increment for the
start point of the row parts can be calculated with full array length increment or with user defined
increment.
The option array increment makes the arrays of several rows in a serial fall in line. When defining a user
increment, the step width for the offset to the adjustment line can be inserted freely, e.g. for matching the
increment to the post offset to the inside of the array.
The placement alignment and array distance are also considered here.
The next figure shows a left-aligned placement with vertical adjustment line in combination with an
exclusion zone. In that example the array increment is used, so on the left of the adjustment line (placed
last), the first array gets placed after one array distance in addition of x times the array length and array
increment.
Figure 126: Vertical Adjustment Line Distances for Array Increment
For the user defined increment the array distance is just once considered for the side of the adjustment line
which gets placed last. For left-aligned placement that means the left side of the line.
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Figure 127: Vertical Adjustment Line Distances for User Increment
Array Increment
Formula for the insertion position on the first side:
Formula for the insertion position on the last side:
User Defined Increment

Formula for the insertion position on the first side:
Formula for the insertion position on the last side:
9.8 Split Lines
Split lines consist of polylines and will automatically be connected to one or more fields by Helios 3D. You
can use a split line to split a field into two.
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Figure 128: Parameters Dialog for Split Lines
Offset Split Line

Activates the offset parameters for the split line. Otherwise the new field borders will both lie exactly on the
split line.
Offset (m)
Here you can set the offset in meters.
Divide Offset among both Sides

Divides the offset value from above among both sides of the split line.
Delete Split Line

Split line will automatically get deleted if the splitting is successful.
Delete Original Field

The original field will automatically get deleted if the splitting is successful.
For your workflow we recommend to draw an area and use the “Offset” function of AutoCAD to
create a big field. Afterwards you can use split lines to split the big field into smaller ones. This
procedure can be easier and faster than directly drawing multiple fields by entering points with your
mouse.
9.9 Shadow Objects
Shadow objects have faces which can shade a terrain and pv-arrays as well. You can insert (draw) shadow
objects from Helios 3D Library or you can register an existing object to the database as shadow object.
We recommend using the shadow objects we provide by our “Draw” function. You can use these to
represent most objects in an abstract way and with a sufficient accuracy. A list of our shadow objects is
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displayed in the following menu screenshot:
Figure 129: Menu for Inserting a Shadow Object
All objects displayed in Figure 129 are located in the subdirectory “\Library\ShadowObjects” of your Helios
3D installation.
9.9.1 Draw / Insert Shadow Object
For inserting a shadow object, please follow the following steps:
1. Enter Name (enter a free but unique name)
2. Scale Object
Figure 130: Scaling Parameters for Shadow Objects Figure 131: Scaling Parameters for Shadow Objects
with Three Scaling Dimensions with Three Scaling Dimensions
Blocks and houses need a length to be set, while trees, trunks/pillars and bushes do not.
3. Insert Object into the Drawing

After pointing at the insert position with your mouse, the object height will automatically get set by
Helios if the object is located in a terrain.
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4. Rotate Object (only for objects with length value for scaling)
Afterwards the shadow object will get displayed in “Structure” list of the “Placement” tab like displayed in
Figure 99.
9.9.2 Register Shadow Object
If the shadow objects we provide do not meet your demands, you can also register other objects to the
database. For that you can use the object itself or the object as a block.
The following points must be considered:

1. The used objects should be as simple / abstract as possible (more details mean more faces and
according to that more calculations to be done without improving the results).
2. Only objects of the AutoCAD Types “Mesh” (command “MESH” or user interface Figure 132) and
“Polyface Mesh” (command “3DMESH”) can be used.
For meshes you can select a base object (mesh box, mesh pyramid, …) from a list and afterwards
you can customize it.
The general use for polyface meshes is importing them from other applications like Autodesk 3ds
Max, and for that reason creating objects of that type with Civil 3D is very cumbersome.
3. After inserting the objects into drawing you have to completely raise them above the DTM, so that
there is no real contact. At the current development status a shadow object might cause problems
for shadow calculation if it crosses the terrain.
For registering an object please follow these steps:

1. Insert object into drawing. You can create and customize the object directly in a Helios drawing or
you can open a separate drawing with Civil 3D to do that.
Please consider our additional remarks in section 9.9.2.1!
2. Raise object to a certain height. For placing the object in a terrain, that means raising the object
completely above the terrain (no contact!).
3. Press <Add Area Definition> in “Placement” tab and select “Register Shadow Object...”.
4. Enter a unique name.
Afterwards the shadow object will get displayed in “Structure” list of the “Placement” tab like displayed in
Figure 99.
9.9.2.1 Remarks for Creating / Customizing Shadow Objects
For creating and customizing shadow objects you can start a Civil 3D drawing without using Helios. We
recommend storing any drawing to the sub path “.\Library\ShadowObjects” of your Helios installation, when
shadow objects are concerned. So anybody can use an object by inserting it into a Helios drawing as a
block.
For creating / customizing an object you switch your workspace from “Civil 3D” to “3D Modeling”. There you
can find the “Mesh Modeling” tab in your ribbon bar, which is displayed below. That tab contains all
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command groups available for meshes. So this user interface can be used instead of keeping the command
“MESH” and those for customization in mind.
Figure 132: "Mesh Modeling" Tab of the Ribbon Bar from Workspace "3D Modeling"
When modeling a shadow object based on a primitive, it is up to you to keep the number of used faces at a
minimum. For reason any additional face effects the performance of any upcoming calculation, optimization
should be matter of your own interest. With reference to the performance issue, we recommend not to use
the functions for (more) smoothing.
You should also avoid modeling objects with holes, as far as a hole is not essential for the shadow cast.
The number of faces used for a primitive (mesh box, mesh cone, etc.) can be set in a dialog by pushing the
small arrow (mark 1).
For customizing a primitive you can use the commands of the group “Mesh Edit” (mark 2) and the commands
for editing subobjects like moving, rotating or scaling vertices, edges or faces (mark 3).
For detailed function overview and modeling options for meshes please use the Civil 3D documentation. For
fast training you should use other information sources like YouTube, too. In that case, the key words
“autocad mesh modeling” might help you. Please note that different Civil 3D versions or AutoCAD versions
might provide different functionality.
9.9.2.2 Modeling Example Telephone Pole
Now we present you a modeling example in the form of a telephone pole out of a mesh box.
1. Set the number of used faces for the primitive “Mesh Box” in the primitive options (open dialog by
clicking the arrow with the mark 1 from Figure 132) like displayed below.
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Figure 133: Mesh Primitive Options
2. After that insert a mesh box into your drawing and move the edges of the inner segments upwards
like displayed below. For that you can set the filter for subobjects to “Edges” and you can use the
“Move Gizmo” (buttons of mark 3):
after insertion: after edge moving:
3. Now we extrude the faces on the left and on the right side of the small segments one side after the
other, so we get two cross girders. For that we select the two faces on the corresponding side (filter
to “Faces” at mark 3) and afterwards we push “Extrude Face” (mark 2).
first on the left: afterwards on the right:
4. For reducing the number of faces, we use the “Merge Face” command (mark 2) for merging all
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coplanar faces on front and on the back side.
before merging: after merging:
As result we get a simple / abstract telephone pole that casts a shadow with sufficient accuracy even in
comparison with a more exact model:
9.9.3 Properties (Shadow Calculation)
In the “Properties” of one or more selected shadow objects you can find all functions for calculating shadow
like displayed below.
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Figure 134: Shadow Calculation Options from Shadow Object Properties
9.9.3.1 Buttons
Insert Tree
Inserts a tree.
Insert Bush
Inserts a bush.
Insert Trunk/Pillar
Inserts a trunk/pillar.
Insert Block
Inserts a block.
Insert House with Saddle Roof
Inserts a house with saddle roof.
Insert House with Hipped Roof
Inserts a house with hipped roof.
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Propose shadow offset reads the minimum rack height, which is set for the array definition in array generator
and writes the result into the <Shadow Offset> input field.
When there are array definitions with different minimum rack heights in a drawing, there will be an
information box and the lowest value will be used by default.
Starts shadow calculation for the selected shadow objects and the calculation day selected below. The
calculation regards the set calculation options.
Starts shadow calculation for the selected shadow objects and for the dates 03/21, 09/21, 06/21 and 12/21.
The calculation regards the set calculation options.
9.9.3.2 Calculation Settings
The settings for a calculation are splitted to the sections “Calculation Day” (see Figure 135) and “Calculation
Options” (see Figure 136).
Figure 135: Shadow Object Properties – Calculation Day
Date
Here you can enter a date for the shadow calculation.
Summer Time
Here you can activate summer time. For activated summer time one hour has been added to the times for
sunrise and sunset.
Sunrise
Here the time for sunrise is displayed. This value is calculated from “Date” and the project settings for geo
position (see section 6.1.1) with consideration of summer time settings.
Sunset
Here the time for sunset is displayed. This value is calculated from “Date” and the project settings for geo
position (see section 6.1.1) with consideration of summer time settings.
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Figure 136: Shadow Object Properties – Calculation Options
Single Step
This option is for calculating shadow at a special time between sunrise and sunset. This option activates the
input field “Time” and deactivates the input fields for step width and offset.
Time
Here you can enter a time between sunrise and sunset when the option “Single Step” is selected.
Full Day
This option is for calculating the shadow movement during a day (from sunrise to sunset), corresponding to
the settings for step width and offset.
Step Width in Minutes

The step width represents the points of time for shadow calculation. These values can be set from 15 up to
60 minutes.
Offset Sunrise and -set in Minutes

This value indicates the offset to sunrise and sunset for the calculation interval. Calculation will start at
sunrise plus offset and end at sunset minus offset. Here values between 0 and 120 minutes are accepted.
This function should be used to skip calculations for points of time when the sun angle is very flat, because
that means a low efficiency for pv-arrays and extremely long shadows.
Enter Shadow Offset (mm/in)

Here you can enter a shadow offset in mm or inch. Calculated shadows will then get displayed above the
original surface (DTM), in the distance of the offset value.
That shadow is a projection to an imaginary surface, which equals the original surface lifted by the offset
value. When the offset equals the height of the front edge at the first module row, the shadow cast is
shortened by the parts, which are casted between the modules and the digital terrain, without shadowing the
modules.
Calculations
Here you can see the upcoming number of calculations for each of the selected shadow objects. This value
always gets refreshed, when any of the values for sunrise, sunset, step width or offset get changed.
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Show Shadows
Here you can select which shadow layers should get thawed and which shadow layers should get frozen
after being inserted into the drawing. As default setting only the cumulative shadow layers will get thawed.
9.9.3.3 Shadow Calculations List
In the list displayed in the following figure all shadow calculations from the past are displayed for all selected
shadow objects.
Figure 137: Properties of the Shadow Objects Oak and Pyramid – List of Shadow Calculations
In this list you can thaw or freeze the layers of the result lines for each calculation (symbol in front of
the calculation entry) or apart for cumulative shadows or single shadows of a calculation.
For reason the state inside any group of shadows can be undetermined for that case the - symbol is
displayed.
With the - button you can delete the corresponding group of shadows. When the last group of shadows
(single or cumulative) gets deleted, the calculation entry is automatically getting deleted as well.
You can manage all shadows for a shadow object as one group by using the context menu of the “Structure”
list.
9.10 Horizon Line
A horizon line marks the horizon projected in a fix radius from a central location and at a certain point in
time. It can be used for calculating shadows of objects (mountains, buildings) in greater distance to the
terrain.
You can obtain the basic data for a horizon line by the company Solmetric and their measuring instrument
Suneye. You can import the measuring data into Helios 3D (as well as PVsyst, etc.) from a text file with the
file extension .HOR. Helios will automatically insert the line into the active drawing.
A horizon line can be created as an object in your Helios database and hence it will be displayed in structure
list. Afterwards you can read the measuring data in the properties of the horizon line selected in structure list.
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9.10.1 Properties
In the properties you can define a horizon line (measuring data) and in the same step it will get inserted into
the active drawing. Afterwards you can calculate shadows caused by the horizon line with the settings
displayed in the following figure.
Figure 138: Properties of the Selected Horizon Line in Structure List of the Placement Tab
Sets the center of the horizon line by manual pointing at the location in the drawing (top view recommended).
That location equals the location of the Suneye when it took the measurements.
Radius (m)
The radius means the distance between center (location of the Suneye) and the horizon line.
Reads the measuring data from a text file (file extension .HOR) and inserts the horizon line into the drawing,
under consideration of radius and center point.
This text file consists of pairs of numbers which mean the location on the horizon line (expressed in degrees
between -180 and 179) and an angle.
These measuring data can be taken by the measuring instrument Suneye of the company Solmetric.
Date & Time

Date and time for calculating shadows caused by the horizon line.
DST
Activate daylight saving time (hooked) to add one hour to the times of sunrise and sunset, each.
Sunrise
Calculated time for sunrise for the set date.
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Sunset
Calculated time for sunset for the set date.
Runs the shadow calculation.
9.11 Rows
In a rows collection you can find a numbered list of the placed rows of arrays. In the row properties you can
find the distance to the next row and the length of the current row like displayed below.
Figure 139: Placement – Row Properties
9.12 Arrays
In the array properties you can find the component number of the array, the actual pitch of the modules and
the insert position like displayed below.
Figure 140: Placement – Array Properties
9.13 Placement Examples
9.13.1 Single Axis Tracker
The example in this section describes the general use of a single axis tracker in Helios 3D. Please not that
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this description just represents one possible scenario and that there might be other configurations
that also lead to sufficient solutions!
Generally trackers can be used like all other types of arrays. A difference is that the insertion line for an array
row matches the post line in the center of any array (rotation axis), while other array types have the insertion
line at the front edge of any array (-block).
There are no relations between tracker arrays, so this function has no knowledge about connections
between arrays which belong to the same tracker (control unit). Any array remains an individual array, so any
special grouping must be accomplished with the placement properties.
One option would be separating your placement area into several fields, each of a trackers size. The
description below shows a possible procedure for working with one single field.
Placement procedure for a single field:

1. First you need to select your field and assign a tracker array.
Figure 141: Assignment of a Tracker Array Definition to a Field
2. In contrary to any other array type, it is expected that the module inclination for placement is set to
“0.00”, though any angle can be set as for arrays with fix module inclination. The maximum rotation
will be displayed as polylines during placement, but the modules will show up with the set inclination
angle.
The row direction should be changed to “North-South-Placement”, so the module orientation can be
rotated between east and west.
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Figure 142: Module Inclination and Row Direction for Tracker Placement
3. In the “Panel Limits” a fix row distance should be set to a proper value and the distance between
arrays inside a row should be set. Additional distances between arrays of different trackers need to
be configured later.
Figure 143: Panel Limits Settings Proposed for Trackers
4. Grouping of arrays according to their belonging to the same tracker can be reached in different ways,
depending on the field structure.
In a rectangular field “Array Group”s can be used for creating gaps between arrays inside any row.
Figure 144: Proposed Array Grouping for a Tracker
For non-rectangular fields you can try using array groups in combination with vertical adjustment
lines or you can do the grouping manually by adding exclusion zones.
For adding some extra distance between array rows belonging to different trackers exclusion zones
are the only solution.
The result of that procedure looks like this:
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Figure 145: Tracker Placement for a Single Field
One tracker array consists of the modules and panel area (abstract display of the rack structure), the posts
and the maximum rotation to each side. The maximum rotation is displayed by the magenta colored polylines
in the next figure, which mean the upper plane of the modules and the lower plane (bottom) of the panel.
Figure 146: Tracker in the Planning Drawing
10 Electricity
The first subsection describes the database entries needed for the Electric module. After that a description of
the full functionality of the Electric module follows.
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10.1 Needed Database Entries
The electric module needs special device records in the database, such as a grid, cables, transformers,
inverters and combiner boxes. Any of these except for grids can also be created while creating a layout, but
it is recommended creating the records in component management of the Helios database application.
In the last step of this section we describe how to create a grid record. For reason this is not a physical
device, but an abstract one, grids must be created in the choice list module.
The procedure for creating devices is the same like for any other article in the component management. For
that reason we focus on the data of the specific component type in this place.
In the first version of the electrical module, most of the possible inputs for electrical devices are not yet used
for calculations. But we recommend entering as much information as possible, so you do not need updating
all records, anytime the functionality of the program changes.
In section 10.1.6 we describe some new entries for the array definition. These values are used for calculating
the cable lengths.
10.1.1 Transformer
Transformers just get inserted automatically into device areas, depending on the assignments in the layout.
In the current version, all values displayed below have no effect on the placement and they are not
considered in any calculation.
Figure 147: Data of the Component Type Transformer
10.1.2 Inverter
For inverters most input values displayed below are still not used in Helios 3D. Just the input count is
considered, yet.
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Figure 148: Data of the Component Type Inverter
Input Count
Insert the number of inputs. Helios uses this value for calculating the amount of needed inverters. Depending
on the placement settings, the device will get inserted behind the last string assigned to it.
10.1.3 Combiner Box
For inverters most input values are still not used in Helios 3D. Just the input count is considered, yet.
Figure 149: Data of the Component Type Combiner Box
Input Count
Insert the number of inputs. Helios uses this value for calculating the amount of needed combiner boxes.
Depending on the placement settings, the device will get inserted behind the last string assigned to it.
10.1.4 Cable
The cable parameters displayed below are not considered for any calculation in the first version of the
electric module.
Figure 150: Data of the Component Type Cable
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10.1.5 Grid
Grids can only be created in the choice list module of the Helios 3D database application.
In the folder structure you need to select the entry “Electrical Grid” as displayed in the figure below.
Electrical Grid
Figure 151: Choice List Electrical Grid for Defining Grid Connection Points
In the list to the right of the folder structure, you can create or edit entries using the “Edit” buttons or the
context menu:
Figure 152: Context Menu for Choice List Entries
The following figure shows the creation dialog. The values for voltage and the number of phases are not
considered yet.
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Figure 153: Dialog for Creating a Chioce List Record
A good example entry might be:
Short: 1000/3
Description: 1000 V, 3 Phases
Voltage: 1000
Phases: 3
10.1.6 Table Definition
There are two additional entries for calculating the cable lengths in the data section of the component type
(array).
Figure 154: Electrical Parameters of the Table Definition
A description about how to set these values can be found in section 8.1.2.4 that deals with the array
generator.
Wire Lengths by Module Rows (mm/in)

Additional lengths from the connection point of a module, up to the cable duct of the array. Here you can
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enter different values for any module row. E.g. for two module rows “1000.0; 1500.0 “ would be one example.
The next figure displays that example. The cable lengths are marked in orange color.
For decimals you have to use point notation and as seperator between values a semicolon is needed.
The cable duct in our example is at the upper edge of the last module row. That corresponds the way it is
always displayed in a drawing. In real plannings the cable duct might be located e.g. in the center of the
table area. You can regard that by adapting the wire lengths by module rows.
In our example a central cable duct would mean, the values for both rows beeing equal.
Figure 155: Wire Lengths of the Module Rows (marked in orange color)
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Wire Length to Soil (mm/in)
Length of the wiring between a connection point of the cable duct and the soil entering point at the central
axis of the post. In the following figure, the cable section is marked in orange.
Figure 156: Wire Lengths to Soil (marked in orange color)
The cable section between soil entering point and connection point to the cable trench is calculated by
Helios 3D. The visibility of these special sections can be managed by the cable container “Soil to Trench”.
10.2 Electricity Module
The electricity tab is divided into two sub tabs. The first is used for defining an electrical layout (see following
figure) and for displaying the results by predefined categories. The second one is used for displaying the
final electrical structure.
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Figure 157: Electricity Module on Helios 3D Pallette
For defining a layout you can walk through the numbered points displayed above. The order of the points is
related to the steps of our default workflow.
Button Menu
Create a new electrical element in the “Structure” list, depending on the selected entry.
Copy a selected element in the “Structure” list. A renaming dialog will appear for the copied element.
Delete a selected element in the “Structure” list.
Rename a selected element in the “Structure” list. A renaming dialog will appear for insertion.
Helios generates selections sets of any field, which is selected in the structure tree (the fields are nodes of
the entry “4 – Layout Zones”). For more information, please look up chapter Fehler! Verweisquelle konnte
nicht gefunden werden..
Rest to new selection set creates a new selection set and moves any array which has not yet a string
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placement on it into that set. For that, select a selection set with unassigned arrays before hitting this button.
Such a set hat a value like in its „Unassigned“ column.
Create snapshot. A snapshot makes all temporary polylines from “Electrical Structure” tab (doesn’t work with
wiring on “Cables” tab), which represent currently displayed cables, become permanent 3D polylines. These
behave like any other 3D polyline, so you can select them or e.g. measure the lengths of specific parts.
Deletes all objects on the layer “H3D_Snapshot”. That layer is exclusively reserverd for snapshots.
Switch table marker. Switches markings for selection sets and strings between full colored hatches and just
the frame of each hatch.
Figure 158: Views of the Selection Set and String Markers
Opens the dialog for creating parts lists. These contain information about any electrical component used in
the selected surface, area or field. These parts lists equal those you from the placement and for that reason,
the result can be found on “Evaluation” tab in Helios pallet.
Opens the dialog for printing reports. There you can print cable lists, filtered by the selected item. There are
three possible filters, a surface, a field or a special selections set. There must be at least one these items
selected at point ‘4 – Layout Zones’. At the right of the next figure, there is a description of the ‘filter
selection’.
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all cables of the DTM (equals the complete
drawing content, when there is just one
surface)
all cables of the field (all placed selection

sets)
all cables of the selection set (for selection

sets without placement, the list will be
empty)
Figure 159: Filters for Cable Lists
10.2.1 Definition – Device Hierarchy
Here you can create the logical hierarchy for the electrical layout and you can add physical components from
the database to that hierarchy. You can save a hierarchy in the line “Profile” for reuse.
The next figure shows the basic hierarchy Helios 3D offers on startup.
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Figure 160: Default Preset for the Device Hierarchy (String Inverter Hierarchy)
The logical hierarchy always runs from a module to the grid. The Option is always activated,
but in the future this button will provide the possibility of displaying or hiding the grid entry.
A complete and valid hierarchy is needed before continuing with the next point “2 – Device Areas”. We
expect two possible hierarchies being used in general (the cabling is left out in the following overviews):
1. String Inverter Hierarchy (like predefined):
Module -> String -> String Inverter -> Transformer -> Grid
2. Central Inverter Hierarchy:
Module -> String -> Combiner Box -> Central Inverter -> Transformer -> Grid
A combiner box can be inserted above the selected base element (not a cable entry) by pushing
. The central inverter hierarchy with a combiner box following above (or logically behind) the
string is displayed in the following figure.
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Figure 161: Logical Layout of the Device Hierarchy (Central Inverter Hierarchy)
The logical hierarchy entries displayed above are device collections. You can add one or more components
from the database to each of them by pushing . The physical devices / components should be
predefined in the Component Management of the database application, but any component except for the
grid can also be created here.
The string definition should be created last, because it needs a physical inverter or a physical
combiner box getting attached.
One more exception is the “Module” collection. Here Helios automatically inserts the used module from the
array definition.
Adding an Entry
Adding an entry always needs two steps. First you select the corresponding collection like “T – Transformer”
and push . The entry is invalid (“invalid Article”) untill the second step, assigning an article from
database, is complete. The following figure shows this step for a new transformer entry.
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Select Article
Delete Selection
Create Article (not for grids)
Refresh List
New Entry
Figure 162: Selection of a Database Component for an Electrical Device Entry
If you create a new database article, the common dialogs will appear with the corresponding component type
preset for the master data.
Creating a new article/component does not work for grid connections, because a grid is not a
physical component but an abstract device. So it is defined by a choice list record.
Create a changable copy of the selected string definition.
Opens the dialog for changing the selected string definition.
Delets the entry selected.
10.2.1.1 Additional Cable Length
For inverters and combiner boxes you can enter additional cable lengths. For that you have to select the
physical device and then you can enter a length value as displayed below.
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Figure 163: Additional Cable Lengths Entries for an Inverter and for a Combiner Box
The cable sections this value is needed for are marked in green color in the following figure (example with
combiner box).
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Figure 164: Visualization of the Cable Run between Rack and Inverter respectively Rack and Combiner Box
That means that the complete wiring length between the cable duct (closest start point) and the
inverter/combiner box can be set per device hierarchy.
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10.2.1.2 String Definition
Here you can create a string design and save it as a profile for re-use at the top of the window. Existing
profiles can be applied or managed and changes can be saved .
Figure 165:Dialog for Creating or Changing String Definitions
In the following we describe all parameters and after that we explain, how to wire the modules.
Name
Enter the name of the String definition profile.
Configuration Mode: Quick and Easy / Expert

Switch between a simple mode and expert mode.
For creating complex string definitions, the following options can be changed (only) in expert mode:
 Generator - Module
 Generator – Array Rows
 Strings – Count
 Strings – Length
 Combiner Box/Inverter – Combiner/Inverter Counter
String Connect Mode Vertical / Horizontal

In collect mode “Vertical”, any module string of the string definition will be connected to the same device
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(combiner box / inverter), which gets placed the moment all entries are in use or at the end of the last string.
That device will get placed in the table rows and all devices of higher hierarchy levels will be placed in device
areas.
The following figure shows two strings connected to a combiner box (red polyline). The combiner box is
connected to a central inverter located in a device area (this connection and the device area are not
displayed!).
Figure 166: Vertical String Concept (Central Inverter)
In “Horizontal” connection mode, modules get wired row by row and each row of modules within a row of
tables gets connected to a different electrical device (combiner box / inverter). So the common scenario
would be one string inverter per row of modules. The next higher hierarchy level behind the first electrical
device (e.g. a combiner box for collecting the string inverters) can also get placed in each table row, if it is
not assigned to a device area (hook not set).
The next figure shows four strings. The numbering scheme (combiner#, inverter#., string#) shows that each
row of module is connected to a different inverter. The red polylines additionally show that for the strings S1
and S4. The inverters are connected to the combiner box, which is placed in the same row (see cyan colored
polylines).
Figure 167: Horizontal String Concept (String Inverter)
Generator
Here you can set the table depending parameters of the string definition, which are displayed below.
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Figure 168: Generator Options of the String Definition
Array / Module
Select an array definition or a module (only in expert mode) which is used in the drawing. That table
definition will be used as bases for the string definition.
Rows
Number of module rows for the used array definition. This entry cannot be changed.
Columns
Number of module columns for the used array definition. This entry cannot be changed.
Module Count
Set the number of modules which should get used for the string definition. The step width of this field
depends on the set mode. In Quick and Easy mode the number of modules can be changed rack wise (+/-
number of rack modules) and in Expert mode you can change it column wise (+/- number of modules per
column on the rack definition).
Array Rows
In Expert mode you can set the number of array rows. You can use that for creating strings which lead
through arrays in different rows.
Overall Generator Power KWp

Displays the possible peak power for the generator settings. This means the peak power that can be
reached for this module (# modules * module power).
Strings
Here you can set basic parameters for the strings, which will be used for connecting the modules of the
string definition. All options are displayed below.
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Figure 169: String Options of the String Definition
Count
In Expert mode you can set the number of strings used for the string definition. Otherwise this value will
automatically be set to the number of module rows.
Length
In Expert mode you can set the length of each string/wire used for the string definition. Otherwise this value
will automatically be set to the number of module columns throughout all tables in a row.
Parallel/Input (not yet functional)

Set the number of parallel strings per input. When you set this value to two, this would allow the constellation
with two strings for one input as displayed below.
Figure 170: Connection of Two Strings to the same Input
String Groups
Here you can see the number of string groups available. This value depends on the combiner box / inverter
settings, e.g. their number of inputs and the quantity of available combiner boxes/inverters.
Current A (not yet functional)

Peak amperage of the strings.
Voltage V (not yet functional)

Peak voltage of the strings.
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Power Grp KWp
Peak power per input.
Current Grp A (not yet functional)

Peak amperage per input.
Modules Remaining
This value shows how many modules remain. A positive value means, that there are more modules than can
be wired with the current String settings, e.g. because the strings are too short for wiring all modules.
A negative value means that the current settings can wire more modules than available with the set
generator parameters.
Overall Cur A (not yet functional)

Overall peak amperage for the string definition.
Two-Rowed
Inserts a second table row, so the string definition can be created over two rows. The auto fill function cannot
be used then!
This option is just available, when mode is set to “Expert” and string mode is set to “Vertical”!
Overall String Power KWp

Overall peak power for the string, depending on the currently set parameters.
Combiner Box / Inverter

Select a combiner box or an inverter, depending on the logical hierarchy which is currently set. The
parameters displayed in the next figure are for information rather than being changeable parameters.
Figure 171: Selection of a Combiner Box or Inverter for the String Definition
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Max. Voltage V
Peak voltage of the selected combiner box/inverter.
Max. Current/Input A
Peak amperage per input of the selected combiner box/inverter.
Max. Overall Current A

Peak amperage all over the selected combiner box/inverter.
Max. Overall Power KWp

Peak current all over the selected combiner box/inverter.
Input Count
Number of inputs of the combiner box/inverter.
Device Count
In Expert mode you can change the number of used combiner boxes/inverters for this string definition.
Current Type
Current type of the combiner box/inverter selected.
Phases
Number of phase supported by the selected combiner box/inverter.
Automatic or Manual String Layout

When all parameters are set you can start creating the complete definition by hand or by using the
function and maybe changing its results afterwards.
For the “Auto Fill” function you can set, on which side the strings should start.
Crossing
The auto fill function wires the module rows pairwise with a self-crossing wire.
Jumping
The auto fill function wires the modules row wise. On that it always skips every second module and jumps to
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the next one. The empty modules are used for the back way.
This layout cannot get defined manually!
Manual wiring can be done by left clicking the modules with your mouse.
Just select an input entry …
Selected
Input
Figure 172: The Selected Input is Marked Blue
… and left click a module. This module must be the first for the selected entry or it must be a neighbor of the
last module of the wire (three possibilities in the next figure).
2
3
If you want to select multiple modules on one line, you can select the first module (left click) …
… and then you select the last module while holding the shift key of your keyboard.
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For resetting the wiring for a single input or the complete string definition, please push the corresponding
clear button:
10.2.1.3 Labeling Devices and Strings
For any device hierarchy, you can define you own labeling for the electrical devices and strings. The
following figure shows the default settings, which can get modified in the columns Number, Output and
Group. Below we describe the rules for labeling devices and strings.
Figure 173: Labeling Definition for Electrical Devices
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Number
The column defines the labeling for any single device. By default a label consist of a shortcut (character or
string) and a numbering format (# -> from 1 to x; ## -> from 01 to x; …).
Grids: from G1 to Gx
Transformers: from T1 to Tx
Inverters: from I1 to Ix
Combiner Boxes: from C1 to Cx
The number of # defines the format for the numbering. Another example would be:
Trafo## -> from Trafo01 to Trafox
Output
This column defines, how to put the device numbers together for the final label. The variables %G (grid), %T
(transformer), %I (inverter) and %I.%C1 (combiner box) are used as wildcards, which are replaced in the
final labeling by the number values. You can add text in front of or behind a variable, but the variable itself
must not get changed.
For combiner boxes an index must follow behind the %C, which is 1 by default (%I.%C1).
Group
Here you can select the base for counting devices.
 Global: devices are counted all over the drawing
 Grid: devices are counted per grid they are connected to
 Transformer: devices are counted per transformer they belong to
 Inverter: devices are counted per inverter they belong to
Any of these groups is only available to lower hierarchy levels.
10.2.2 Device Areas
Device areas are zones for automated placement of a grid connection and electrical devices like central
inverters and transformers. They can get defined by polylines similar as exclusion zones.
String inverters or combiner boxes get placed at the string or at the cable trench. So they are usually not
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considered here.
Any device area needs to be connected to the grid. Otherwise it will be displayed in red.
In the following figure the device area without grid connection is marked red. The grid connection can get
established by cable trenches, by connecting any device area without direct grid connection to the specific
grid device area.
Figure 174: Selected Device Area with its List of Assignable Devices
For assigning devices to a device area, you can hook the corresponding entries of the device hierarchy.
Afterwards you can limit the quantity of the specific device for that area.
10.2.3 Cable Trenches
Here you can add polylines as cable trenches or you can draw them directly. As displayed in the next figure,
you can also set the depth for each trench, which will be considered for calculation of cable lengths.
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Figure 175: Calbe Trenches Configuration
Trench 1 and Trench 2 are manually created cable trenches, while the “Row Trenches” get automatically
created by Helios 3D. The Row Trenches get created, when a gap occurs in the row, e.g. caused by
exclusion zones or maximum slope exceedance, which are larger than the “Min. Length of row Trenches”
value, defined for the selection set.
Creating Cable Trenches Manually

When drawing cable trenches, you should keep their number at a minimum and you should avoid parallel
trenches with the same running direction. You can directly connect cable trenches to each other, if there are
no conflicting directions of current flow. The following figure shows an example.
possible: better:
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10.2.3.1 Row Trenches (automatically)
Helios 3D will automatically insert row cable trenches for gaps inside a table row, if the value for the “Min.
Length of Row Trenches” is exceeded.
For gaps inside a row which are smaller than this value, cables will run through the air between neighboring
tables. So the calculated length depends on the table distance and the rotation of the tables.
When a row trench is created, cables using that trench get calculated equally as for the usual cable
trenches.
usual cable trench
row cable trench
Figure 176: Row Cable Trench Bridges Gap between Tables
The length calculation between the tables is the following:
cable duct to soil + trench depth + trench length + trench depth + soil to cable duct
These trenches get listed under “Row Trenches”.
Figure 177: Electric List with Row Trenches
10.2.3.2 Row Trenches (manually)
In case a direct connection as through the manual row trench is not possible, you can also manually insert a
usual cable trench into the rows, which then gets used by Helios automatically.
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main cable trench
manually inserted trench in a table

row
Figure 178: Manually Created Row Cable Trench Avoids Crossing an Exclusion Zone
10.2.4 Layout Zones
Here you can divide any field into different layout zones, depending on the position of cable trenches and
device areas.
You have to set up a general configuration for a field like displayed below. You have to select a device
hierarchy and a default string definition and you can add all cable trenches and device areas used for the
selected field.
Figure 179: Field Options for Generating Selection Sets
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First you select one of the previously defined device hierarchies and you assign a string definition to any
used array definition. These default selections will be set for any generated selection set, but can later be
changed for any of them separately.
Afterwards you must add all cable trenches and device areas, which are needed for the flow from any string
up to the grid connection, to the corresponding list.
You cannot add cable trenches or device areas to the lists after creating selection sets! So you have
to decide which of them should be used in a field before hitting .
When the parameters are set properly, please push for Helios automatically creating
selection sets as subdivisions of that field.
Generated selection sets are calculated by the minimum distance of a table to the closest cable trench which
crosses a table row. Tables on different sides of a cable trench will also be assigned to different selection
sets. So this function provides a quick division of a field into logical subdivisions.
You can also create selection sets manually by pushing , while the field entry is selected. The same
function can be found in the context menu of the list.
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10.2.5 Selection Sets
Selection sets are basic elements for the placement of strings. In the next figure you can see a list with
different selection sets, including the string placement options for the selected selection set “Auto1”.
Figure 180: String Placement Options for the Selected Selection Set “Auto1”
The first two entries for the field are default selection sets, so {All Free} and {All} always exist before
generating selection sets. They are not meant for string placement, but they can be essential for creating
string layouts.
{All Free} includes any table in the field, which has still not string assigned (all in the figure above).
{All} includes all tables in the field.
Auto# is the identifier for selection sets generated by Helios 3D. You can identify them in the drawing by the
colors set in the column “Visible/Color”. All tables in the drawing are marked by hatches in the color of the
selection set they belong to.
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The additional columns for each electrical structure tree node contain some settings and options for
displaying results.
Figure 181: Information and Functions for Selection Sets
Object
Contains the main structure tree nodes like fields and selection sets.
Type
Shows the type of a tree node (“Selection Set”, “Field”, etc.).
Info
For some tree nodes there is additional information displayed. Selection sets have the number of contained
arrays displayed in brackets, followed by the peak power.
Visible/Color
Allows assigning a color for display of a selection set, as well as the option to show or hide the selection set
markings.
Unassigned
Shows the number of racks which are not yet considered in the placement, e.g. . Klicking the button
displays unplaced arrays in red, so single arrays without placement can be identified easily.
Strings
Shows/hides the module strings on the arrays.
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String-Device Conn.
Shows any module string to combiner box or inverter connection. Combiner boxes or string inverters get the
same color as the arrays or array fractions which are electrically connected. The display of selection sets or
module strings gets hidden, when showing these connections.
10.2.5.1 Selection Set Parameters
The first line of ”Selection Set” tab displayed below, is for changing the set layout. The section below
contains the parameters for string placement.
Selection Set Changing

Options
String Placement
Options
Figure 182: Changing Options and String Placement Options of the Selection Set
10.2.5.2 Selection Set Changing Options
These options allow manual changes to the generated subdivisions (selection sets) of the field. You can add
to the selection set or remove from the selection set, full tables or just a selection of modules.
Add a selection of arrays (default) or modules to the selected selection set. For that select a selection set
and then push this button. After that you can select one or multiple geometries in the drawing for add.
Remove a selection of arrays (default) or modules from the selection set. For that select a selection set and
then push this button. After that you can select one or multiple geometries in the drawing for delete.
When this option is selected, you can select modules in the drawing instead of tables. This option is needed
if you want to proceed or for modules.

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This button creates a new selection set and moves any array, which has not yet a string placement on it, into
that set. A selection set with unassigned arrays must be selected when using this function.
10.2.5.3 String Placement Options
Before starting the placement for a selection set, you can select another device hierarchy and string
definition, you can change the number of used colors for displaying the strings and you can select (hook) or
deselect (unhook) cable trenches and device areas. Cable trenches and device areas should only be
selected for a selection set, when they are needed.
Start the string placement with the parameters set below.
When a placement is done the results are not displayed by default! Look at section 10.2.6 for
different possibilities of visualization.
Reset / delete the string placement for the selected selection set.
Rewires a placement. Combiner boxes and inverters can be move in the drawing with your mouse. After that
you need this function for recalculating the wiring.
Start string placement on the left and on top of the field.
Start string placement on the right and on top of the field.
Start string placement on the right and at the bottom of the field.
Start string placement on the left and at the bottom of the field.
For a field with east-west oriented placement, the symbols for the cabling start point will change. The
startpoint is always at the position of the black triangle: .
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(always active in the first electric version)
Linewise string placement. With this option activated, a single string must completely be inside one table
row. Otherwise tables at the end of a row, will be skipped.
Place combiner boxes or string inverters at the trench or at the string.
This button opens the dialog for creating a custom string definition for all still free arrays of the selection set.
The number of free arrays is limited to 30, for this option is just meant for handling a few exceptional arrays,
which do not fit into the horizontal string layout which is used as default for this set.
You can manually create module strings for the complete array selection. You can only set a combiner box /
inverter and create the strings. Neither the quantity, nor length of the module strings can be set and a single
module string can just get defined through one table.
When multiple selection sets are selected at the same time, the <Link> button is enabled. With that you can
link different selection sets and use them like a single one.
Settings done with one of the linked selections sets selected get set for all of them at the same time.
That includes the <Place> and <Reset> function.
For unlinking linked selection sets, you need to first <Reset> the electrical placement.
The following excerpt from the String Placement Options allows reassigning and further
configuration of the string layout.
Device Hierarchy
Here you can change the assignment for the device hierarchy.
String Definition
Here you can change the assignment for the string definition to any array used in the selection set.
Colors
Here you can set the number of colors used for displaying the string assignment on the arrays after
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placement.
Min. Length of Row Trenches

Enter minimum length of row trenches. Helios 3D will automatically create a row trench inside a row of
tables, when there is a gap between neighbouring tables larger than the current value.
Smaller distances between tables will be bridged through the air. So cable lengths will be calculated between
the connection points of the cable ducts of the neighboring tables.
The lists at the end cannot get changed anymore, but it is possible (un-)checking single entries for
defining the usage of listed cable trenches.
Selection of Cable Trenches

A cable trench should just be selected (hooked), if strings should get directly connected to it. Hooking
additional strings (e.g. those between device areas) can cause problems, if these trenches run (partially) in
parallel!
For adding or removing entries to or from the list, please go back to the field option.
Selection of Device Areas

All device areas can stay hooked, for all of them must be used by any device. Empty device areas must not
get used.
For the hooked device areas, there must be an unambiguous assignment between the electrical
devices and the device areas, otherwise the placement is canceled.
10.2.6 Visualization
For making the placement results visible there are different possibilities. On “Cables” tab you can switch on
and off the layers of different cable containers or of different cable categories. On “Electrical Structure” you
can manage the visibility of cable layers depending on the electrical devices they belong to.
You should note some differences between the schematic visualization and the true wire run of some cable
sections.
The cable duct is always displayed at the upper edge of the module plane and at the top of the arrays.
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Figure 183: Visualization of the Cable Run for a String
The real position of can be defined by the array definition (component master data). There you can set the
“Wire Lengths by Module Rows” (see section 10.1.6), which describe the distance between the cable duct
and the inputs / outputs of the module strings. For defining a cable duct centralized between two module
strings like displayed below, you must enter two identical values at the array definition (e.g. 300; 300).
300mm
300mm
Figure 184: One Possible True Location for the Cable Duct
A similar divergence between schematic visualization and real cable run exists for the cable section between
cable duct and cable entering point into the soil (see section 10.1.6), as well as for the section between cable
duct and combiner box or string inverter (see section 10.2.1.1). The cable run can vary a lot for both of these
two points.
Any displayed cable is just a temporary polyline and for that reason you cannot select them. If you want to
select a cable (its polyline) in the drawing and follow its lead or measure the lengths of specific parts of a
cable, you have to create a snapshot . That function only works for the cabling of the “Electrical
Structure” tab, not for the cabling of “Cables” tab.
10.2.6.1 Visualization on Cables Tab
The figure below shows the containers and the categories for displaying cables.
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Figure 185: Container Based and Category Based Collections for Displaying/Hiding Cable Runs
There are connections between different containers and categories, when cables of different containers are
directly connected to each other or when cables from a category are also inside one or more containers. For
quick navigating through the list, you can hold the shift-key and then double-click a connected element (shift
+ double-click).
Besides, you can zoom into the drawing and to the objects contained in a container or category, by double-
clicking that element.
In the following figure the Cable Container – 9 – 0.00 of the group “Table to Soil” and two containers of the
group “Trench” are connected to the cable container – 1 – 1.01 of container group “Soil to Trench”. With the
navigation options we just described above, you can jump through the list in direction of the arrows in the
figure.
Figure 186: Cable Container View with Links
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All Cables Container
Here you can set the visibility of different cable containers. A container contains multiple cables and a cable
can be part or lead through the ranges of different containers.
Soil To Trench
Means the cable range from soil entering point to the connection point of the cable trench. The length of this
segment gets automatically calculated by Helios 3D.
Figure 187: Cables Container SoilToTrench
Table Connector
Means the cable range between the two cable ducts of neighboring tables, i.e. the bridge part for the array
distances.
Figure 188: Cables Container TableConnector
Trench
Means any cable section, which is directly put inside a cable trench.
Table
Means all cable sections inside a cable duct of any rack.
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Figure 189: Cables Container Table
To Device
Means any cable section between a cable duct and the center axis of the post. The container just contains
cables, which belong to the connection of a combiner box or a string inverter to the rack they are attached to.
Figure 190: Cables Container ToDevice
Table To Soil
Means the cable section between the cable duct of the rack and the entering point of the cable into the soil
(on its way to the cable trench). The length is defined by the value “Wire Length to Soil”, set for the array
definition (component master data).
198
Figure 191: Cables Container TableToSoil
All Cables
Here you can set the visibilities of all cables arranged by different categories. Any cable just exists once in
these categories.
StringToParentDC
This category includes cables for connecting the module strings with their parent device (combiner box or
string inverter), except for the connections between module strings and cable ducts. The parent device can
be directly assigned to the current rack or to a rack of the row or to a rack of another row. Hence the cables
in this category can also be on a cable duct or a cable trench.
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Figure 192: Cables of the Category StringToParentDC
StringPartToStringPartDC
Means the schematic display of the cable sections which connect a module string over two tables. That
means the section on the cable duct and between the racks, without the cable sections between the module
string and the cable duct.
Figure 193: Cable of the Category StringPartToStringPartDC
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CombinerBoxToParentDC
Means all cable sections from any combiner box to its parent inverter (central inverter). Cables connected to
devices in a device area always end at the border of that device area.
Figure 194: Cables of the Category CombinerBoxToParentDC
InverterToParentAC
Means the cable sections from an inverter to the parent device (transformer). There are only cable lengths in
this category, if the inverter and the transformer are located in different device areas. The schematic display
just contains cable sections on the cable trench, but not the sections between cable trench and the device
areas, which is defined by the depth of the cable trench.
Figure 195: Cables of the Category InverterToParentDC
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TransformerToParentAC
Means the cable sections from and transformer to the parent device (grid). There are only cable lengths in
this category, if the transformer and the grid are located in different device areas. The schematic display just
contains cable sections on the cable trench, but not the sections between cable trench and the device areas,
which is defined by the depth of the cable trench.
Figure 196: Cables of the Category TransformerToParentAC
10.2.6.2 Visualization on Electrical Structure Tab
On Electrical Structure tab you can find a cable list and you can switch on and off the layers of cables which
are connected to the selected electrical device. For any cable you can find the number, the length and the
specific type.
Figure 197: Cables List and Electrical Structure
Cables
Is a list of any cable type used in the drawing.
G1 - Grid
Lists any device used in a structure tree, so you can switch on and off the layers for a single cable or for any
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cable belonging to the selected electrical device.
Of cause there will be more than one grid tree, if you use multiple grid connections.
10.2.7 Calculation of Cable Lengths
Please regard that there are two basic cable sections. In the first section Helios 3D uses two single wires
(one for each path/direction) and in the other section a twin wire is used for both directions. We explain these
two sections using the simplified visualization in the drawing. The sections are clearly separated by the
combiner box or string inverter.
In our “Tutorial Cable Lengths Measuring.pdf” we show in detail, how to retrace the cable lengths calculated
by Helios 3D.
10.2.7.1 Single Wire / Twin Wire
For the wiring between the module strings and the combiner box (string inverter), Helios 3D uses single
wires for each direction. In the following figure the blue line means the direction from the combiner box to the
module string inputs.
Figure 198: Cable Run from the Combiner Box to the Module Inputs (blue)
The next figure shows the direction from the module string outputs to the combiner box (respectively string
inverter) in magenta color.
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Figure 199: Cable Run from the Module Outputs to the Combiner Box (magenta)
For the wiring between the combiner box / string inverter and higher levels of the hierarchy twin wires are
used. The twin wiring starts at the combiner box and initially leads to the cable duct, like displayed in green
color in the next figure.
Figure 200: Visualized Connection between Combiner Box and Cable Duct
In the following figure you can see the rest of the twin wiring (green color), which passes a post, enters the
soil and leads through the cable trench up to the first device area.
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Figure 201: Visualized Cable Run between Cable Duct and Device Area
If the physical structure leads any further than the first device area, for that part twin wires are used, too.
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11 Evaluation
In this tab you can find different functions for evaluation of the data of a drawing. This includes functions for
calculating alternative shadows and a generator for a parts list.
11.1 Parameters for Alternative Shadow Calculation
Here you can run another shadow calculation for all arrays of one or more fields. In doing that, another
shadow will get calculated and displayed in the same way like the shadow used for calculating the row
distance (placement).
The following figure displays two fields with the default shadow calculations from placement. The displayed
configuration would start a calculation of shadow lines for “Field North” for each clock hour between 01:00
pm and 4:00 pm including start and end time.
Figure 202: Evaluation – Parameters for Alternative Shadow Calculation
11.1.1 Buttons
Runs a calculation with the given settings.
Deletes all selected calculations.
From
Here you can enter start date and time for the calculation.
To
Here you can see the end date and time for the calculation. This value is always calculated from the settings
for “Step Width” and “Steps” and cannot be changed directly.
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Step Width
Here you can enter the step width in minutes or hours depending on your selection in the selection field.
Steps
Here you can enter the number of steps for the calculation.
List of Shadow Calculations

All fields including all corresponding shadow calculations are listed here. With a click on the symbol in front
of a calculation you can freeze or thaw the layers of all corresponding shadow lines.
In the context menu of this list (displayed below) you can run a calculation, delete a calculation or zoom in on
the selected field.
Figure 203: Evaluation – Context Menu List of Shadow Calculations
11.2 Parts List
In this section you can create and print parts lists. A parts list consists of two topics, a “Placement List” and a
“Component Parts List” separately displayed in different tabs (see ).
Figure 204: Evaluation – Parts Lists Separated into their Topics (Tabs)
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11.2.1 Buttons of the Parts List
Create New Parts List
Creates a new parts list (see dialog in section 11.2.2).
Edit Parts List
Opens the dialog for changing a parts list (see section 11.2.2).
Delete Parts List
Deletes all selected parts lists.
Generate New Parts List
Generates a new parts list (see section 11.2.2).
Print Parts List (report)
Opens the dialog for creating reports. Here we provide the report types “Article list” for component parts and
“Positions list” for placements.
Search Selection in Parts List
Searches a selection in parts list. For that you will get prompted by the command line to select an element in
the drawing.
Shows the parts list in the drawing.
The context menu of the list of parts lists provides the mentioned functionality, as well as additional
functions.
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Figure 205: Context Menu of the List of Parts Lists
The buttons “New...”, “Edit...” and “Overwrite Parts List” open the dialog displayed in section 11.2.2.
“Delete” and “Print Parts List” provide the same functionalities like the corresponding buttons described
above and “Refresh” reloads the list.
The function “Load Parts List Positions” just reloads the “Placement List” and the “Component Parts List”.
11.2.2 Create/Generate a Parts List
In the following dialog you can create a new parts list or regenerate an existing one.
Figure 206: Generate / Edit Parts List
You can insert a “Description” and a “Language” and select a “Sort Order”.
By using this button all component data are read from database and project data (costs, power, area, table
209
quantity, etc.) get recalculated.
The selection of objects used for recalculation can be set to all objects of the <Current Drawing> or to
current <Selection>. The option <Current View> has no function, yet, and generates an empty list.
11.2.3 Placement List
Here you can see the following data for any object of the selected parts list:
 component number
 component type
 the field it is connected to

 the row it is connected to
 the location (X, Y, Z) of the lower left corner of the table block it is connected to
 …
The most interesting data is displayed in the following figure:
Figure 207: Evaluation – Parts Lists – Placement List
11.2.4 Component Parts List
Here you can see all components placed in the current drawing. The most important data, as partially
displayed below, is “Position Type”, “Position Number”, “Quantity”, component data (“Component Number”,
supplier data, …) and some record information.
210
Figure 208: Evaluation – Parts Lists – Component Parts List
The context menu of this list provides the functions displayed below:
Figure 209: Context Menu of the Component Parts List
You can insert a component from database, insert a copy of the selected component, “Edit...” or “Delete” the
selected component or you can insert a free position, i.e. you can add a new component to the database that
will directly be added to the list.
Another function is to “Refresh” the list.
211
12 Tools
This module provides some additional tools located on different tabs. On the first tab there is a render
function, the second tab contains functions for editing lines and polylines and on the third tab there is a tool
for generating reports and for inserting them into a drawing.
Figure 210: Helios Palette – Tools Tab
12.1 Rendering
This section provides quick and easy access to the camera and to the render functions of AutoCAD Civil 3D.
12.1.1 Camera
In this subsection you can create a camera and customize its position by using the elements displayed
below.
Figure 211: Render Options - Camera
You can select a camera that is already placed in the drawing by the refreshable “Cameras” list. The camera
button on the right can be used to load the “Camera Preview” dialog.
The <Create> button allows inserting a camera into the drawing by pointing at the insert point with your
mouse. The <Customize> button allows changing the camera settings for a selected camera by entering
stretching values or by dragging the definition points in the drawing.
212
You can alternatively use the slide bars to set the “Target Height above DTM” or the “Camera Height above
Target Height” instead of using the <Customize> button.
The following figures show a camera positioning and the rendering created with the camera view.
Figure 212: Camera Positioning and Adjustment to a Terrain with Placement
213
Figure 213: Rendering of the Placement in Figure 212
12.1.2 Settings
This subsection provides a “Fast Render “-function and quick access to the AutoCAD Civil 3D render
settings.
The following figure shows the settings for “Date / Time” and for the resolution.
Figure 214: Date / Time and Resolution Settings for Rendering
You can set a resolution (“Width” and “Height” of the rendering) by hand or use the buttons to set a default
resolution.
DTM Bitmap
Here have to select an image of the file types PNG, JPG or BMP as texture material for the DTM. This value
is needed for rendering the surface of the terrain.
Display Arrays
You can activate the option <Use 3D Model from Array Generator> to use the 3d model for rendering, which
has been added to the array drawing. In that case the 3d model of the layer “H3D_Table_3DVizBlock” will be
used for rendering and all other H3D-Layers will get frozen.
214
This button runs a rendering with the pre-set render settings or opens the dialog for creating the render
profile “H3D_FastRender”. In this dialog you can set up your default render options and save them as
“H3D_FastRender”, so they will automatically be re-used next time you push the <Fast Render> button.
For saving the profile, please push “Create Copy” and name it as described here.
As quick guide we recommend the following procedure for creating that profile:
1. Select the profile "Medium" in the "Standard Render Presets" of the "Render Presets Manager"
dialog.
2. Push <Set Current>, so it becomes the currently active profile.
3. Push <Create Copy> and name the new profile “H3D_FastRender” in the upcoming dialog.
4. Close both dialogs with <OK>.
If you push this button the AutoCAD Civil 3D Render dialog appears. By pushing the arrow on the right of the
button the menu displayed below comes up. You can use that to call several AutoCAD Civil settings and
options related to rendering.
Figure 215: Menu of the <Render Commands> Button
12.2 Reports
Here you can generate reports and insert them into the drawing. We provide different reports located in
Helios 3D installation directory under the path “.\Reports\System”. In the future we intend to offer the
possibility of you adding your own reports to the path “.\Reports\User”, based on the reporting tool
in the Helios 3D „Bin“ folder.
215
Figure 216: Reports Tab from Tools Collection
In the line “Report” you can select a report from the refreshable list or you can call the report designer by
hitting .
Insert Selected Report
Generates the report selected above with the filter settings defined by the element selection in the list below.
As filters the complete drawing (“Test_ZWR” in the figure above), an area or a field is available.
On pushing this button you will get prompted to enter a name for the report. After that you can insert the
report by pointing with your mouse. The first point defines the insert position of the first page of the report
(see insert point in the next figure). After that the single pages are displayed schematically by frames like in
the following drawing. You can define the size of the pages and their arrangement (rowwise, columnwise or
in a block of multiple rows and columns) by moving your mouse. Another left click inserts the pages into the
drawing.
Figure 217: Schematic Display of the Page Arrangement
Refresh Selected Report
Refreshes the report selected in the list. For that, the entry of the report base or one of its images/pages
(child nodes) must be selected in the list. These nodes are marked in the next figure.
216
Figure 218: Tree of a Report Insertion Assigned to the Drawing
Delete Selected Report
Deletes the report selected in the list. For that, the entry of the report base or one of its images/pages (child
nodes) must be selected in the list. These nodes are marked in Figure 218.
217
13 FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
In this section you can find answers to various questions about Helios 3D.
13.1 How works the calculation of the row distance / shadow cast?
The row distance is calculated by the shadow cast of the front row. That means that the end point of the
shadow ray that extends the most into the terrain (in north direction), is used as basis for placing the next
row.
Needed Project Settings:
 Date / Time as reverence for placement (Default: December / June 21., 12:00)
 Geographical Position: Latitude and longitude, time zone
Needed Placement Settings:

 Array model (module measurements, no. of rows & columns, rack overhang on each side of the
module plane, distance between the front edge of the first row of modules and the surface)
 Module inclination
Calculation:
Sun ray/vector: Angle calculated by AutoCAD based on the project settings (geo position, time zone,
date, time).
Array model for The surface of the array is displayed as a box.

the calculation:
Adapting the The outer bottom corners of the front edge get adapted to the row line with consideration
array to the of the height of the terrain surface.
surface:
Distance to the When there is an overhang set, that value is used for calculating the shadowing of any
next row: array, otherwise Helios uses the outer corners of the upside from the last module row.
Hence, a shadow ray is projected into the terrain from each of the corresponding corners.
The end point of the ray is calculated by a virtual surface, i.e. the surface of the terrain
lifted to the height of the front edge of the array (see next figure).
218
Figure 219: Calculation of Row Distances in Helios 3D
If a safety premium is set for installation tolerances, the virtual terrain will get lowered by
this value.
The longest of all rays of a row will be used for calculating the distance to the following
row. As the following figure displays, the length of the longest ray (marked by a cross)
equals the distance to the next row.
Figure 220: Longest Shadow Ray of a Row (marked by a cross)
13.2 How can I add a prototype-drawing to Helios 3D?
For creating Civil 3D drawings with Helios 3D, prototype drawings are used as bases for drawing settings
and in some cases also for basic objects used in a drawing. Prototypes allow creating a common base for
several drawings, without forcing a planner to do all settings and preliminary work by hand and for any
drawing separately.
Format
While Civil 3D can also handle other (its own) prototype formats, Helios 3D can only handle the format
DWG. If you possess a prototype of different format, you can open it with Civil 3D (without Helios) and save it
as DWG file.
New Helios drawings will be created as copies of the used prototype drawing and for that reason include all
of its settings and objects.
Path
To show a prototype in the list of Helios 3D, you have to place it in the subfolder “.\CAD\Prototype” inside
219
your Helios program base path.
You can find the “Program Base Path” of your installation in the system settings of the database application
on “Common” tab (see Figure 53).
First Usage
When you use a prototype for the very first time, it is necessary to refresh the list once. For that, please push
the button when the selection dialog appears after starting the drawing.
13.3 What does the message “This drawing was last saved by an earlier version of
one of the following products:” mean?
In Helios 3D the following warning will appear, if you use a prototype drawing that was created with an earlier
version of Civil 3D.
Figure 221: Civil 3D Warning about Version Conflicts
This warning appears any time you create a planning drawing or an array definition drawing with Helios
using a prototype based on an earlier Civil 3D version. You can ignore this message, if you always use the
latest Civil 3D version, which is compatible with Helios 3D. Any AEC object in the drawing will get updated to
the current version on save, so the drawing cannot be opened by earlier Civil 3D versions.
Patches and Hotfixes for Helios 3D will never overwrite any prototype drawing, so you cannot lose any
changes you might have done it. You can update these prototypes on your own, by opening each
prototype drawing with your currently default version of Civil 3D and just saving it. Then, the warning will only
appear again, if you use a later Civil 3D version in the future.
The prototypes for planning drawings can be found in the installation path of Helios 3D in the subfolder
“\CAD\Prototype” (see description of the program paths and folders in section 2.2).
The prototype for array definition drawings “TablePrototype.dwg” is located in the subfolder “Modultische” of
your library base path.
220
13.4 How can I improve the performance for huge projects?
In a huge project, the number of drawing objects slows down the performance and causes long waiting
periods for the system to react. That can happen even for none expensive actions.
In that case we recommend freezing all layers that include objects which are not interesting for the moment.
All frozen layers will be excluded for any Civil 3D calculation concerning the display.
For that call the Layer Properties Manager by hitting the button in the command group “Layers”. All
objects created by Helios 3D are on layers which start with the prefix “H3D_”. You can use the predefined
filter structure, which you can see in the following figure, for managing the visualization of layers easyly.
Figure 222: Civil 3D Layer Properties Manager
In the column “Freeze” you can freeze or thaw selected layers or you can right click a filter group and
manage all layers it contains.
Figure 223: Context menu for freezing / thawing the filter group "H3D_Table"
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13.5 Why does the Selection Dialog for Prototype Drawings not appear?
With default settings the following dialog appears on starting a new drawing for the very first time.
Figure 224: Selection Dialog for the Prototype Drawing
When the marked option is active, Helios will always use the prototype set in the user settings for creating
new drawings. For getting it back, please go to the user settings and activate the option <Always Show
Selection Window for Prototype-Drawing on new Drawings>, which is marked in the next figure.
Figure 225: User Settings
13.6 Why are Project Number not Managed automatically?
By default, project numbers are get automatically managed by Helios 3D, so the input field is locked for
manual changes when creating or changing a project record. Otherwise the option <Generate Project
Number Automatically> is disabled in the system settings, which are displayed below.
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Figure 226: System Settings
After (de)activating that option, the change will immediately take effect without restarting Helios 3D.
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HELIOS 3D Reference

10.1.1 Transformer .................................................................................................................... 161

10.1.2 Inverter ........................................................................................................................... 161

10.1.3 Combiner Box ................................................................................................................. 162

10.1.5 Grid ................................................................................................................................. 163

1.1 System Requirements

 Intel or AMD – 64 bits – Processor with 3,0 GHz or higher

1.2 Network Installation

Figure 1: Server Installation Procedure

“NetworkDrive\…\Helios 3D\Client Setup\setup.exe”

The following procedure activates TCP/IP:

The steps a to c show you how.

Please pay attention to the notes in the files

1.3 Local Installation

The installation of Helios 3D can be started by the Helios 3D-DVD.

Backup all important data!!!

Figure 2: Product Selection

Afterwards you can select a path for your installation.

Figure 3: Path Selection

Remark for network installations:

Figure 4: Feature Selection

1.3.4 Setting up SQL Server Access

1.3.5 Creting a new SQL Server Instance

1.3.6 Adding a Database to an Existing SQL Server

Figure 7: MS SQL Server Login

Remark for network installations:

Figure 8: Naming the Database

1.6.1 Important Remark for SL Keys (soft-licenses)

The following values get checked for SLs:

 virtual MAC address

 CPU data of the host system

 UUID of the virtual machine

1.7 First Steps

1.7.1 Configuration Helios 3D

Here you have to enter a name the parameters for configuration:

 Type (Select a program type from the list)

Selecting a program configuration

1.7.2 Setting Up AutoCAD Civil 3D

1.7.2.1 Allow Civil 3D 2015 Remote Access

1.7.3 Creating a Civil Profile

Step 4: (only if an already existing profile “Helios3D” should be replaced)

Figure 13: Add Profile

1.8 Adding a Support Path and Trusted Locations

1.9 Adding a User Account

1.9.1 Login Account SQL Server

Figure 16: New Login Dialog Page "Server Roles"

GRANT VIEW SERVER STATE TO [Domain\Login]

For SQL Server-Authentication:

GRANT VIEW SERVER STATE TO [Login]

1.9.2 User Account Helios3D Database

Required memberships in database roles:

1.9.3 User Account Helios 3D Application

Please follow this procedure:

2. Open the User Management.

3. Right click the user list -> “New…”

Figure 19: Selection Form - Rights Groups Management

Now the user is able to login.

2.1 Handling for Error Messages

Figure 20: Helios 3D Error Message

2.2 Paths and Folders of Helios 3D

Project Base Path

Library Base Path