Defining a Null-Zone

 

Null-Zones are volumes within a zone which are removed from the coverage calculation. They can be used to create zones which aren't a perfect square shape or to exclude equipment items or regions from being included from the coverage calculation. There is no limit to the number of null-zones that can be added, so unique zone shapes can be made. Lastly, a null-zone does not remove geometry, it only affects the coverage calculation, please see this section for CAD removal features.

 

In the Complex Module.obj geometry (accessed via Help - Load Sample Geometries) , there is a region with no equipment in it, indicated be the green square below. This section of the tutorial will add a null-zone to remove this volume from the coverage calculation which will significantly decrease the zero-visibility region and improve overall coverage.

 

Detect3D Adding a Null-Zone

Tutorial 4 - Figure 20 - Indication of unused and irrelevant space for the mapping analysis where the null-zone will be defined

 

To add a null zone to the project, ensure first you have defined a regular or main zone for the project. The below uses the Tutorial 4 d3d file:

  1. Click the Add Item tab and select Null-Zone from the dropdown menu

  2. Leave the Name set as "Null-Zone 01”

  3. Set the Zone as Main Zone

  4. Enter ( 30, 1, 1.48 ) as the coordinates of Point 1

  5. Enter ( 24, 4, 5 ) as the coordinates for Point 2

  6. Click Preview checkbox and see that the extents of the null-zone extend beyond that of the Main Zone. This is indicated by the non-shaded area of the null-zone which is outlined as seen in Figure 21. This is okay to do, the volume extending beyond the zone has no effect on the coverage.

     

    Detect3D Adding a Null-Zone

    Tutorial 4 - Figure 21 - Indication of null-zone extending beyond extents of the Main Zone. The structure layer has been toggled off for this figure. The structure layer was toggled off to generate the below figure.

  7. Click the Add Item button.

 

 

Once the Main Zone has been updated, turn on its visibility to view the updated volume where Null-Zone 01 has removed the section indicated in Figure 20 above. 

 

Detect3D Adding a Null-Zone

Tutorial 4 - Figure 22 - View of updated Main Zone with Null-Zone 01 volume removed from the project

 

Continue to the next section to add detectors to the project.