EASE4.1_-_Tutorial_Complete.pdf

8/9/2019 EASE4.1_-_Tutorial_Complete.pdf

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General Information

EASE Software © Copyright ADA (Acoustic Design Ahnert), Germany

Tutorial

RH 545 4/16/04 Version 4.1.0.6


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Thanks are due to the following individuals whoprepared this manual.

Carl Dorwaldtof

Renkus-Heinz, Inc.Foothill Ranch, California

USA

With the able assistance of

Dr. Wolfgang AhnertStefan Feistel

Dr. Waldemar RichertFrank SiegmannKaren IrmscherEmad El-Saghir

Bruce Olsonof

ADA (Acoustic Design Ahnert)Berlin, Germany


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Licensing Agreement

The software and/or databases described in this document are furnished under a license agreement or

nondisclosure agreement. No part of this document and/or database may be reproduced or transmit-

ted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval systems, for any purpose other than the purchaser’s personal use,

without the written permission of Renkus-Heinz, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as Renkus-Heinz.)

Limited Warranty

Renkus-Heinz and ADA have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this manual and make no

warranties with respect to this documentation and disclaim any implied warranties of merchantabil-

ity or fitness for a particular purpose. Information in this document is subject to change without

notice. Renkus-Heinz and ADA make no warranties that such files and features as mentioned in this

documentation exist on the distribution disks or as part of the materials distributed.

The Loudspeaker Database

The loudspeaker database supplied with your copy of EASE contains data from numerous loud-

speaker manufacturers in addition to data from Renkus-Heinz. Renkus-Heinz and ADA have given

all loudspeaker manufacturers equal opportunity and instructions for supplying loudspeaker data. If

you require loudspeaker data not currently supplied with EASE, or if you have problems with the

supplied data, please contact that manufacturer directly. As a matter of policy, Renkus-Heinz and

ADA include data as supplied by the loudspeaker manufacturers and assume no responsibility for its

accuracy.

Trademarks

EASE, EASE JR, EARS, AURA and ADA are registered trademarks of Acoustic Design Ahnert.

Windows 98, 2000, XP & NT, DOS and DirectX are registered trademarks of Microsoft.

AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk.

LAKE Convolution is a registered trademark of Lake Technology Limited.

CADP is a registered trademark of JBL Professional.

VMAx Virtual Home Theater is a registered trademark of Harman International.

Copyrights

Renkus-Heinz Inc. 2004. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America

ADA (Acoustic Design Ahnert) Berlin, Germany


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Processor

RAM

Disk Space Req. (for program)

Disk Space Req.

(for Databases)

Graphics

ScreenResolution

Video Driver

Sound Card

EASEEASE JR

300 MHz

128 MB

70 MB

500 MB

256 Colors

800 x 600

Open GL**compatible

16-BitStereo

EARSEARS RT

EASEEASE JR

EARSEARS RT

MINIMUM RECOMMENDED

300 MHz

128

70 MB

500 MB

256 Colors

800 x 600

Open GL**compatible

16-BitStereo***

MaximumAvailable

MaximumAvailable

70 MB

500 MB

True Colors(24-Bit)

1024 x 768

Open GL**compatible

16-BitStereo.

MaximumAvailable

MaximumAvailable

70 MB

500 MB

True Colors(24-Bit)

1024 x 768

Open GL**compatible

16-BitStereo***

OPERATING SYSTENS

EASE 4.1, EARS 4.1, EARS RT 4.1 and AURA are designed to run on Windows 98, Windows 2000, Win-

dows NT* and Windows XP. Windows 95 is not supported and Windows ME (Millennium Edition) is

not recommended.

EASE 4.1, EARS 4.1, EARS RT 4.1 and AURA will also run on Mac’s using Virtual PC software.

* NT 4.0 must have Service Pack 4, version 4 installed

NOTES

** To use EASE & EASE JR, the OpenGL driver provided by the 3D graphics card must have the following

characteristics:

1. Full support of Open GL: Version 1.1 or later.

2. An OpenGL Installable Client Driver (ICD): The 3D graphics card must provide a full ICD in its OpenGL

driver software. The “miniGL” drivers provided by some 3D graphics cards are not adequate for EASE &

EASE JR.

*** DirectX7 or higher must be installed to use the Lake Convolution software. A full duplex sound card is

needed to fully utilize EASE RT.

Equipment Requirements

AURA

300 MHz

MaximumAvailable

70 MB

500 MB

256 Colors

800 x 600

Open GL**compatible

16-Bit Stereo

AURA

MaximumAvailable

MaximumAvailable

70 MB

500 MB

True Colors(24-Bit)

1024 X 768

Open GL**compatible

16-BitStereo


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Program Support

If you have a question about EASE / EASE JR / EARS / AURA or run into a problem and cannot

find the answer in this manual or on our website, call our Technical Support staff. Before you call, please:

Review the subject in thi s manual.

Have your User ID number handy and know what version number you are using. You will find

the User ID number on the rear of your EASE & EASE Guard CD jewel cases. The version

number can be found in the About screen under the Help pull down menu.

Have a clear description of the problem and the wording of any error messages.

Call from a telephone located near your computer and have your computer running, so you can

refer to the screen during the call.

EASE / EARS/ AURA TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Phone: 949 588 9997

Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time.

Ask for:

Carl Dorwaldt (Extension 108)

Jim Mobley (Extension 104)

Jonas Domkus (Extension 135)

E-mail

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

IR InfraRed Technical Support

If you have a problem relating to the IR InfraRed Simulation Module,

call Bruce Olson:

Phone: 763-493-5835

Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM Central Time

E-mail: [email protected]


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Licensing & Trademark Information 3

Equipment Requirements 4

Program Support 5

Table of Contents 6

Installation Instructions 11

Registration Instructions 13

Online Licensing 15

Offline Licensing 16

Importing/Exporting License Keys 17

Termination Keys 18

Protect License 19Program Updates 19

Loudspeaker Database Updates 19

Recovering Lost License Keys 19

PART 1. OVERVIEW

General Information 22

Program Structure 23

Brief Recap of Key Commands 24

Starting EASE 26

Option Settings 29

Opening a Project 31

Project Data Files 32

Project Options 34

Viewing a Project 35

Using The Walker 39

Calculation Setup Menus 40

Calculations Menu 44

Edit Project Menu Tool Bars 46

Vision 52

PART 2. CONSTRUCTING A MODEL

Naming a Project 57

Loading Loudspeakers and Wall Materials 61

Printing Wall Material DataBase 62

Room Modeling Techniques 63

Room Entry 66


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Edit Project Options 68

Entering Vertices 71

Entering Faces 74

Making Steps 77

Adding Seating Areas (Coat Feature) 81

Closing a Room 83

Reverb Times 83

Adding Audience Areas 84

Adding Listener Seats 85

Adding Loudspeakers 86

Setting Loudspeakers Power Levels 87

Aiming Loudspeakers 90

Distance Calculations 97

Adding Edges 98Adding Windows 98

Using Extrude 99

Adding / Changing Face Colors 100

Using Vision 103

Making Global Material Changes 109

Finding And Fixing Holes 110

Finding Unknown Dimensions 114

PART 3. ALTERNATE ROOM INPUT METHODS

Create Shape Examples 120

Creating Curved Surfaces 124

Using Extrude 126

Creating Rooms with Curved Ceilings and Walls 128

Cutting Faces into Two Faces (Using Fixed Cut) 135

Adding Interior Shapes 137

Using Extrude Faces 139

Using Mirror Insertion 140

Using Sequence 126

Using Insert Audience Area 147

Adding Listener Seat Grids 148Adding Loudspeaker Grids (distributed Loudspeaker Systems) 149

Adding Steps / Bleachers 151

Using Prototype Rooms 154

Prototype Room Models 157

Using Objects 168

145


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PART 4. CLUSTER BUILDING

Using Main Speaker Base 178Using Edit Project 187Using Cluster Objects 189Creating CASE Drawings 190Creating New Loudspeaker Files 193

PART 5. USING OPTIMIZE RT

Optimize RT 196

PART 6. ROOM INVESTIGATIONS

Area Mapping 202

Moving Audience Areas 203

Setup Options / Direct Sound 203

Display Resolution 208

All Mapping 210View Calculations Window 210

Displays Types:

Direct SPL 214

ALcons / Articulation Loss 215

RASTI 216

C Measurements 217

Pressure Levels 219

Sum / Total SPL 219

D/R Ratio 219

Critical Distance 220

Arrival Time 220Lspk Overlap 221

ITD Gap 223

Aiming 222

Local Decay Time 224

Standard Mapping With Reflections 226

Room Mapping 227

Auralize Direct Sound 228

Local Ray Tracing 230

PART 7. Import/Export Module - - DXF Import and Export

Introduction 234

Import EASE 2.1 234

Export EASE 3.0 Project 235

Import CADP2 235

Import ASC11 236


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Import ASCII (EASE 2.1) 234

Export ASCII 234

DXF File Transfer 235

Exporting DXF Files from EASE 235

Importing EASE DXF Files into AutoCAD 236

Importing AutoCAD DXF Files into EASE 239

Helpful Hints for non-AutoCAD users 244

PART 8. VISION

Introduction 248

Creating a New Light Source (Light Source Editor) 248

Creating a New Texture (Texture Editor) 252

Assigning Textures to the Model 256Using EASE Vision 258

PART 9. ADVANCED ACOUSTICAL INVESTIGATIONS

Ray Tracing 264

View Trace File 269

Movies 274

Ray Tracing Impacts 275

View Impact File 280

Probe 280Display Types 281

Schroeder RT 287

Mirror Image Impacts 292

Split Impact File 293

Update Impact File 293

PART 10. AURALIZATION

Auralization 296Step 1. Creating the Reflectogram 297

Step 2. Adding a Tail to the Reflectogram 299

Using Add Random Tail 299

Using Predicted Impacts 301

Step 3. Combining the Reflectogram with the

Characteristics of Hearing 304

Step 4. The Final Convolution 306


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EARS Options 310

EARS RT Real Time Auralization 315

PART 11. AURA

Constructing an Aura Room Model 320

AURA Introduction 323

AURA Mapping 326

Echograms 332

EDT (Early Decay Time) 333

T Measures 334

Definition 335

Articulation Loss (ALcons) 336

Speech Transmission Index (STI) 337

C Measures 337Center Time 338

LF & LFC Measures 339

Sound Strength 340

Echo Speech 340

Echo Music 341

Echograms 341

Echo Speech 341

Echo Music 341

Histograms 342

Particle Loss Method 344

AURA Response 347

AURA Improvements 353Scattering Wizard 353

PART 12. IR INFRARED

IR Infrared 358

Inserting Emitters 359

Calculations 361

Creating New IR Devices 366

Radiators 367Modulators 370

PART 13. INDEX 373


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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Important: Before you attempt to install EASE 4.1 on your computer, make sure you have read

the equipment requirements on page 4 of this manual and have sufficient memory and hard disk space.

The program and data bases will occupy almost 600 MB of hard disk space ( or more if you are not

running a FAT32 system). Windows also likes to have open hard disk space at least equal to the amount

of RAM for use as virtual memory. Thus, if you have 128 MB of RAM you need at least 728 MB of

hard disk space just to load and operate the program.

This assumes your machine is set up for FAT32 operation. If it isn't, your hard disk space requirements

almost double! FAT32 (for NT systems NTFS) is an enhancement of the File Allocation Table (FAT

and FAT16) file system format. It stores data much more efficiently and speeds up operation.

You can check your machine's setup by selecting the hard drive (s) with your right mouse button and

then selecting Properties from the Option menu. If your machine is set up for FAT32 operation, the

Properties' window will show FAT32 as the File System. If you are running FAT16, either FAT or

FAT16 will be listed as the File System. If you are not running FAT32, you most likely will be able to

upgrade to FAT32. This change should be made on the drive (s) you intend to use for EASE 4.0 and/

or the data files. Select Program/Accessories/System Tools/Drive Converter (FAT32) and them follow

the prompts.

Note 1: If you have EASE 3.0 installed on your machine, you do not need to uninstall it before installing

EASE 4.1. The two programs are compatible and can run side by side on the same machine. You will

be asked by the 4.1 install program if you want to uninstall EASE 3.0, but you do not have to.

Note 2: If you have EASE 4.0 installed on your machine, you do not need to uninstall 4.0 before

installing 4.1. The 4.1 Install routine will automatically ask if you want to uninstall the previous

version. Answer Yes to both uninstall prompts. You will also be asked about removing a number of

“Shared Files.”’ We recommend answering Yes to All . Note that installing the newer version will not

affect either your License Key or your project files.

The Uninstall routine will not remove the EASE 4.0 Data folder. However, the Install routine will

overwrite old data with new data during the installation. To save the old data files intact, rename

them before beginning the installation. For example, change the existing EASE40Data folder

name to EASE40DataOld .

Note 3: If you are running Windows 2000, make sure you have local system Administrative AccessPermissions to the EASE 4.0 Install folder, Windows System folder and System Registry before

beginning the installation.

EASE 4.1 requires that users be assigned either Power User or Administrative Permissions when

Windows 2000 is used. Failure to assign these Permissions causes EASE 4.0 to perform

incorrectly. Refer to your Windows 2000 Help system for information about assigning

Administrative Permissions.


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Note 4: If you are using a Virus protection program, you should disable it before beginning the

installation.

Important: A complete EASE 4.1 installation is a 3-step procedure. First, you install the EASE

program (from the EASE 4.1 Program CD), then you install EASE Guard (from the EASE

Guard License Control CD) and then you obtain a License Key which unlocks the program.

To install EASE 4.1:

1. Insert the EASE 4.1 CD-ROM into your CD drive. The Install program should open automatically.

If it doesn’t, proceed to steps 2 and 3.

2. From the Start menu select Settings, then Control Panel and Add/Remove Programs.

3. Click on Install and follow the prompts.

Note: If for some reason Windows can not locate the EASE setup program, click on the Browse

button to manually locate the Setup program on the EASE 4.1 CD. Double-click on the Setup.exefile to launch the Setup program.

4. During the installation routine, you will be given 3 installation options:

Complete will install the Program and the Speaker , Material and Example Databases plus

additional (Textures, Lights and Infrared devices) databases. You will be given the

opportunity to select the location for the Program and the Databases. Note that the Program

and the Databases may be stored on different drives. We recommend installing both on your C

drive.

You will also be given the chance to select the Material databases you want to install and

which manufacturer's Loudspeaker Files will be installed.

Program Only will install just the program; no databases

Data Only will install only the Databases you select.

The installation program will install the EASE Program and Databases and place an EASE shortcut icon

on your desktop.

NOTE: You will not be able to use the program, except in the Demo mode, until you have also

installed the EASE Guard License Control program and obtained a License Key.

Your EASE License allows you to install and run the program simultaneously on up to 5 machines. Use of

the program is controlled by License Keys issued by ADA, with each EASE License entitling you to 5

License Keys.


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If you want to use the program on more than 5 machines, you must purchase additional Licenses. Each

additional License allows you to use the program on 5 additional machines.

License Keys are managed and controll ed by the EASE Guard License Contr ol program.

Key elements of the EASE Guard program are the:

USER ID Number

The USER ID number is the identification number assigned to your company at the time you purchased

the License. It includes details on any previous EASE licenses you owned and identifies what version of

EASE you purchased; for example EASE or EASE JR. You cannot obtain a License Key without it.

You will find your USER ID Number on the rear of the EASE and EASE Guard CD jewel cases.

Reference File

The Reference File (sometimes called Reference Key) is a file (an .erf, Ease Reference File) generated by

the EASE Guard program and placed in the EaseLicenseFiles folder on your computer. It identifies your

computer and its operating system in the EASE Guard License Control program and will be linked to your

License Key. This file is different for each computer and, if you use the program on more than one

computer, each will have its own unique Reference File.

Note that any change in your computer’s operating system will be detected by EASE Guard, the

link between your computer and the License Key will be broken and the program will revert to the

Demo mode. You will have lost your L icense Key and will not be able to run EASE until you have

obtained a replacement License Key from ADA.

License File

The License File (sometimes called License Key) is a file (an .elf Ease License File) generated by ADA. It

is linked to your USER ID Number and to your computer’s Reference File and unlocks the specific EASE

version you purchased.

REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Insert the EASE Guard CD-ROM into your CD drive. The Install program should open

automatically If it doesn’t, proceed to steps 2 and 3.

2. From the Start menu select Settings, then Control Panel and Add/Remove Programs.

3. Click on Install and follow the prompts.


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Note: If for some reason Windows can not locate the EASE Guard setup program, click

on the browse button to manually locate the Setup program on the EASE Guard CD.

Double-click on the Setup.exe file to launch the Setup program.

4. As soon as the EASE Guard installation is completed, start EASE by double clicking on

the EASE Icon.

5. Then double click on the Register Icon in the EASE 4.0 desktop window or open the

Help pull down menu and select Register.

6. This will open the EASE Registration prompt shown below.

7. An affirmative answer will close EASE, launch the EASE Guard program and open the

screen shown below.


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EASE 4.1 offers 2 ways for you to obtain a License Key, Online and by File.

The Online method is by far the fastest and the easiest, if you have access to the Web from your

computer. It is the method recommended for everyone who has direct Web access from their

computer. The File method is for those who do not have access to the Web from their computer.

ONLINE LICENSING

1. If you have automatic direct access to the Web, make sure that Online Licencing is selected and

then click on Download License.

This will connect you to the EASE License website on the ADA FTP server, send your computer’s

reference information to the website and, if everything checks out, generate your License Key and

download and install it on your computer. The entire operation is automatic and takes only a few

seconds. It’s that simple.

Note that the Licence Status fields will now show the Version you have installed (for example,

EASE or EASE JR), your company’s name and the number of Licences (License Keys) available

on your computer. It will read 1, since you downloaded only 1 License Key.

Note 1: If you do not have automatic access to the Web and must “log on” to gain access, be sure

to “log on” to the Web before starting the Online Licensing procedure.

Note 2: If you receive an Error message at this point and are unable to download a License Key,

it’s probably because your “Firewall” is blocking it. Try turning off the Firewall or use your

network browser to connect to a website and then try again. If you still are unable to download a

License Key, use the Offline Licensing method to obtain a key.

2. If at this point you press the Info button, it will show that you still have four Licenses available to

download. Do not download them unless you have a specific need for them. They are safer stored

on the ADA FTP server than they would be stored on your computer.

Downloading and storing additional License Keys on your computer is not recommended.

Spare Keys are far safer stored on the ADA FTP server.

3. If you have a second computer with Web access, you can download a License Key to it by

following the same procedure you used with the first computer.

Other users within your company can, of course, obtain License Keys for their computers byfollowing the same procedure.

4. If you have a second computer that doesn’t have access to the Web, you can download a second

License File (Key) onto your computer and then Export it to the computer that doesn’t have Web

access. Exporting License Keys will be covered later in this section.


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Note 1: The Export procedure should be used only for computers that do not have Web access.

The automated download procedure eliminates any human errors and is far more fool proof. It is

recommended for any computer with Web access.

OFFLINE LICENSING ( LICENSING BY FILE)

1. If you do not have access to the Web, you will need to create a Reference File and send it to ADA

by e-mail or regular mail. ADA will then generate the License File and return it to you in the same

fashion.

2. For Offline Licensing , click on the Licencing By File button. This will open the screen shown

below.

3. Click on Create Reference File to open a Save File window. Use the Save In window to select the

storage location for the Reference File; for example, Desktop or My Documents.

4. Copy the Reference File onto a floppy and then either mail it to ADA or use a computer with e-

mail capabilities to e-mail it to ADA.

ADA Acoustic Design Ahnert

Arkonastrasse 45-49

D-13189 Berlin, Germany

Fax: + 49 30 4670 9220

E-mail: [email protected]


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5. ADA will then return a License File to you.

6. When you receive your Licence File, copy it onto your computer. Then open EASE and return to

the Licencing By File window.

7. Select Install Licence, Browse to the Licence File and click on Open to install the License Key.

Exporting License Keys (OffLine Licensing)

The Import/Export folder in the Licencing By File window allows you to import or export License

Keys from one computer to another computer.

1. The first step in exporting a License Key to another computer, to your laptop for example, is to load

EASE and EASE Guard onto that computer (EASE refers to it as the Target computer). Then open

EASE on the Target computer and go to Register/Licenceing By File and Import/Export . Next, click

on Create Reference File and follow the prompts to save it to a logical location, such as a floppy disk.

Then, move it to your computer.

2 The second step is to open EASE on your computer, the one having a valid license (EASE refers to it as the Source computer), and open the Import/Export section of the Licenceing By File window.

3. Next, select Export Licence. This will open an Open File Window. Browse to the Reference File you

just moved to this computer, select it and then click on the Open button. This will generate a

Licence Key export file and open a Save File window. Enter a logical location for the file and then

click on Save.


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4. The fourth and final step is to move this file to the Target computer and then Import it into EASE.

Select Import Licence from the Import/Export folder under the Register/Licensing By File window.

This will open the Open File window, browse to the License Key file, select it and then click

on Open. This will install the License Key and you’ll be up and running.

TERMINATING LICENSE KEYS (Offline Licensing)

The proper procedure to follow if you decide to upgrade your old computer or replace it a new one

is to officially Terminate your computer’s License Key. This protects you from losing your License

Key in the transition. Remember, any change in your computer’s operating system will be detected

by EASE Guard and the link between your computer and the License Key will be broken.

To Terminate your computer’s License Key, select the Terminate folder under the Register/Licens-ing By File window. Then press the Terminate Licence button. This will open a Save File window.

Enter a logical location for the file and then click on Save. A Send E-mail Now prompt will appear. If

you have direct access to the Web, clicking on Yes will send the Termination file to ADA. If you

don’t have direct access, Save the file and then either mail it to ADA or use a computer that has E-

mail capabilities to E-Mail it to ADA.

Note: Onl ine users do not need to “Terminate” their L icense Keys. I nstead, they can simply

Upload them to the ADA website and then Download them again after they have made the

computer changes.


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TheRemove License button is used only to correct licensing problems resulting from software

or hardware errors. Don’t use it unless you are having problems and ADA tells you to use it.

Don’t use it without their knowledge and consent, as it will remove all licensing information

from your computer and complicate the task of recovering the lost License Key.

PROTECT LICENCE

For those who want to maintain tight control over their EASE License Keys, EASE 4.1 includes a

Protect Licence feature. It is accessible under the Help pull down menu. Protect Licence, when

activated, removes the EASE Guard program from that computer making it impossible for the user

to access the EASE website to download additional License Keys.

PROGRAM UPDATES

The latest EASE 4.1 program updates are also stored on the ADA FTP server and can be easily

downloaded by any Licensed user having direct access to the Web. Open the Help pull down menu

and select EASE Update. This will automatically connect you to the ADA FTP server and, if you are

not running the latest version, automatically update your program to the latest version.

SPEAKER DATABASE UPDATES

Loudspeaker database updates are also stored on the EASE website and can be easily downloaded

by any Licensed user having access to the web. Open the Help pull down menu and select Speaker

Base Update. This will automatically connect you to the EASE Website and allow you to download

any new loudspeaker Databases you want.

RECOVERING LOST LICENSE KEYS

At some point in time, through no fault of your own, you may lose a License Key. Your hard drive

will crash and burn and you will lose everything on it, or someone unfamiliar with EASE will decide

it’s time to reformat your computer without your knowledge, or some other unforeseen event will

occur.


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When you lose a License Key, it is imperative that you immediately get in touch with ADA at

“[email protected]” and let them know what happened. They are the only one

who can issue a replacement for the lost License Key.

To assist you in this process, EASE includes a License Information collection tool. It gathers all of

your computer’s Licensing Files and compresses them into a single Zip file that you can either send

to ADA for archive purposes or store on a floppy in a safe spot.

We strongly recommend that you create this archive file as soon as you have obtained your

License Key and update it whenever you make any alterations to your computer.

To create this archive, go to the Help pull down menu and select Create Status Report . This will

open the screen shown below.

As you can see, it gives you the opportunity to just save the file on your hard drive or to also send it

to ADA. The choice is yours. No matter which you choose, we suggest that you immediately use

Windows to copy this file onto a Floppy and then store the Floppy in a safe place.

Then, if you should ever lose your License Key, it is an easy matter to attach it to an E-mail to ADA.

Your E-Mail should explain what happened and request a replacement License Key. The Ease40Info

file will give them all the information they need.

The correct E-mail address for ADA is [email protected].

ADA will get back to you as quickly as possible.


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Part 1. Overview

Overview


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Overview

The purpose of this manual is to provide you a working knowledge of the program and its many

features and capabilities. This section is intended to help you become acquainted with the program.The Tutorial Sections that follow will lead you through most of the important EASE features, in-

cluding room modeling and the acoustic simulation processes.

NOTE: Please don't skip any part of the tutorial. The time you spend working on the various

exercises in the Tutorial will save you hours and hours of time later on. Even after you complete

the tutorial you will find it helpful to refer back to it from time-to-time. It contains a wealth of

helpful hints and shortcuts. If you don't have time now to do all the Tutorial exercises, at least

scan through the Tutorial to become acquainted with all the features of EASE. Then, use the

manual as a reference guide when you need guidance in how to accomplish specific tasks.

*If you are using EASE JR, substitute EASE JR for EASE as you read this tutorial

General Information

EASE is actually a number of separate (individual programs, some of which are stand alone) pro-

grams or program modules linked together. The EASE Main program is the Parent program from

which all the Child programs (program modules) emanate. During use only the program(s) needed to

perform the required task(s) need to be running. As a general rule, the various programs open

automatically when they are needed to perform a task, but must be manually closed.

A listing of the main program modules follows.

EASE Main Program EASEBall Balloon Program

EASEIMEX Import/Export Program

EASERoom Edit Project Program

EASESpkr Loudspeaker Database Program

EASEWall Wall Material Database Program

EASEMaps 2-D Mapping Program

EASEEyes 3-D Mapping Program

EASEClus Loudspeaker Cluster Program

EASEProb Acoustical Probe Program

EASERays Ray Tracing Program

EASEEars Auralization Program

EASEVisi Vision Program EASEView EASE View Program

EASETape Texture Database Program

EASEBulb Light Source Database Program

EASEPad EASE Page Designer Program

EASEGuard License Control Program

EASEirbase IR Radiator Database Program


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Part 1. Overview

The EASE Main program and its associated program modules are normally stored in the EASE400

folder under EASE 4.0 in your computer’s Program Files directory.

The Stand Alone modules can be run separately (without the need to run the main program) and

can also be run independent of the main program. For example, the Speaker Base program can be

run to create or analyze a cluster not associated with a specific opened project.

This technique provides a great deal of flexibility, but it also requires that data be exchanged be-

tween the various program modules. Option settings give you control over how the exchange takes

place (automatically or manually). The usual setting has the data exchange taking place automati-

cally when the modules are opened or closed (accompanied by a Prompt if you desire one). However,

even when the option settings call for automatic exchange, there are times the exchange may have to

be initiated manually. You'll encounter examples of this as you work your way through the Tutorial.

The block diagram below shows the primary program module structure. Please take a few minutes

to study this diagram as an understanding of the relationship between modules is essential tounderstanding the program.

EASE 4.1 Program Structure


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Brief Recap of Key Commands

With EASE you will be using both Key Commands and a mouse, especially while modeling a room.

Key commands are helpful as they speed up many of the processes and you should make a point of

learning them as you work with the program. This is especially true if you will be using the program

regularly. You’ll be surprised how much faster modeling goes once you start using the key com-

mands.

Some of the Key Commands will be familiar as they are standard Windows commands, but many are

unique to EASE.

A few of the key commands you will want to memorize follow. You may want to copy these pages

and keep them handy while you are becoming familiar with these Key Command shortcuts.

Under the Main Menu

Ctrl + a Save Project AsCtrl + s Save Project

Ctrl + n Open New Project

Ctrl + o Open Project

General

F9 Opens the Options folder

F11 Zoom in

F12 Zoom out

HOME Returns screen to "full" view

3 Changes to the 3D view

x Changes to the X (side) view and while in Edit Project the YZ grid

y Changes to the Y (end) view and while in Edit Project the XZ grid

z Changes to the Z (top) view and while in Edit Project the XY grid.

p Changes Mouse mode to Pick

d Changes Mouse mode to Drag

t Changes Mouse mode to Turn & Zoom (use the left mouse button to

turn model, right button to zoom in and out)

Shift + c Changes Mouse mode to Center (Spot)

Ctrl + Alt + e Opens (Switches to) Edit ProjectCtrl + Alt + a Opens (Switches to) Area Mapping

Ctrl + Alt + r Opens (Switches to) Room Mapping

Ctrl + Alt + t Opens (Switches to) Ray Tracing

Under Edit Project

a Insert Audience Area.

c Insert Listener Chair


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Part 1. Overview

e Insert Edge

f Insert Face

l Insert Loudspeaker

v Insert Vertex

F2 Opens the Change Wall material folder for the selected Face (s)

F3 Selects and highlights all Faces having the same material as

the originally selected Face

F4 Opens the Mouse Menu on the selected item which lists all the options

available for that item. (performs same function as the right mouse

button)

F5 Check Data

F6 Apply Project Data and Save

F8 Deactivates all Active items

Ctrl + F Opens the Find Item screenCtrl + F2 Opens the Change Color window

Ctrl + F3 Changes the Wall material of all selected Faces

Ctrl + F12 Deletes all stacked Vertices

Shift + F2 Changes the Rear material of two-fold Faces

Shift + Ctrl + F2 Changes the color of the Rear material on two-fold Faces

Shift + F3 Selects and highlights all Rear material Faces having the same material

as the originally selected Rear material Face

Shift + Ctrl + F3 Changes the Wall material of all selected Rear material Faces

Shift + x Changes to the X (side) view and YZ grid and opens the Options/Editing

folder to allow editing of the plane valueShift + y Changes to the Y (end) view and XZ grid and opens the Options/Editing

folder to allow editing of the plane value

Shift + z Changes to the Z (top) view and XY grid and open the Options/Editing

folder to allow editing of the plane value

Shift + Ctrl + F12 Deletes all unattached Vertices

Shift + Down Arrow Moves selected item 1 step in the - Y direction

Shift + Up Arrow Moves selected item 1 step in the + Y direction

Shift + Right Arrow Moves selected item 1 step in the - X direction

Shift + Left Arrow Moves selected item 1 step in the + X direction.

You will also be using both the right and left mouse buttons and the mouse wheel. In general, the left

mouse button is used to Pick or select an item, while the right mouse button will open the Mouse

Menu for the item selected. The Mouse Menu is a pop up menu listing all the options that can be

performed on the selected item. The mouse wheel is used to Zoom In and Zoom Out.

Complete listings of the Key Commands used in EASE 4.1 can be found in the Help File.


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Note:

The EASE 4.1 Help files are also available as a PDF document. The document is stored in the

EASE 4.0 Manual folder under EASE 4.0/Easepath in your computers Program Files Direc-

tory.

You may want to print this manual and use it as a reference manual. It contain a wealth of

detailed information on the program.

Starting EASE

From the Windows Star t menu, choose Programs and then select EASE or double click on the

EASE 4.1 icon placed on your desktop by the installation program.

Note that if this is the first time you have opened EASE, a screen prompt will ask for your name. Add it and then click OK . Then the Main Menu screen shown below will open.

EASE 4.1 offers you three different methods of taking the next step. You can open the File pull

down menu, use the Tool Bar Icons or use the Desk Top Icons to make your selection,. The choice

is yours. Notice that placing the cursor over any one of the Tool Bar Icons brings up a description of

that icon’s function.

.


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Part 1. Overview

Note that the Edit and View pull down menus are not active. They will be activated as soon as a

project is selected and read into RAM.

One of the features of EASE 4.1 is the ability to build your own Desktop with shortcuts to the

functions you most often use. To see how this works, double-click on the Start Working icon, then

double-click on the Desktop icon. This will open the screen shown below.

Note that the yellow Desktop section is blank. You can easily add shortcuts to the Desktop by

selecting them with the right Mouse button and then left clicking on the Add Link to Desktop prompt

that appears. Desktop shortcuts can just as easily be removed by right clicking on them and then left

clicking on the Remove Link to Desktop prompt.

You’ll find the ability to build your own Desktop a useful feature after you have become familiar with

the program ant the functions you use again and again.


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Now, let’s move on and set up the basic operating parameters for EASE. We’ll use the File pull

down menu. Selecting the File pull down menu opens the menu shown below.

This menu or the Desk Top Icons will probably be the starting point for most of your EASE sessions

since it provides access to your various Project files, to the Import/Export module and to the Main

Speaker Base and Main Material data bases. Note that it also provides shortcuts to projects you

have recently viewed or worked with. These shortcuts appear as #1 to #7 in the screen. Your screen

will not list any projects unless you opened one or two projects before starting the tutorial.

Notice that the File menu also includes a Pack Project command. This command is used to gather

all the individual files associated with a particular project into a single file that can be easily Zipped

and copied onto a disk for storage or backup or for e-mailing around the world. We’ll work withPack

Projects later.


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Part 1. Overview

The Options command provides access to the program's primary set up menus. Clicking on Options

will open a typical Windows Option folder. Select the Data Tab

The Data tab folder controls the manner in which data is uploaded and downloaded between the

program modules. Note that placing the cursor over one of the Options produces a brief explanation

of the Options function.

Users familiar with 3.0 will be pleased to learn that the data exchange between Modules in 4.1 is

more organized and automatic. For example, if after opening one of the Mapping or other post

processing modules you make a change in the model under Edit Project, EASE will warn you

a change has been made before it permits you to run a new simulation. The warning takes the

form of a yellow frame around the simulation screen if the changed project data was checked

but not acquired by the simulation module. If the data wasn’t checked, the frame is red.The

Acquire Data icon in the Tool Bar section, Ctrl O or the File menu option Acquire Project Data will

download the new data if it is Checked.

EASE automatically creates a Temporary Project file whenever you open the Edit Project program

module. One of its purposes is to protect you against losing a lot of work, if you inadvertently close

the Edit Project program without having saved your work.


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The Delete Temporary Projects section of the Data window allows you to decide whether you want

to automatically delete this file whenever you exit the program, to always save it, or to have the

opportunity to decide on an individual basis. When Auto-Apply is checked, the Temporary Projects

file is updated whenever you Check Data.

Note that this feature does not protect against computer crashes, unless you have saved

(applied) your work as you proceeded. Your best protection against crashes is to routinely

and regularly Apply and Save your changes by using the Ctrl + F6 key command.

The User tab window allows you to identify yourself as the user and provides you with a place to

store your User ID number as protection against the original identity label being lost or misplaced.

The Font tab provides control of the fonts used by the program. We suggest using the Default

setting. It seems to work the best.

The Default Paths tab shows you the various default paths the program has established. We suggestleaving them as they are unless you have good reason to change them.

The Setting tab allows you to select Metric (m) or English (Ft.) as the Default measurement system.

The default setting is Metric, so change it to English (Ft.) if most of your work will be done in feet.

This window also gives you the opportunity to change the way the program looks and sounds. Note

that Animated Messages is not checked. Many users enjoy these, so you may want to put a check

mark in the Animated Messages box so you can hear them.

The Video Adapter tab provides a means of quickly checking your Video Drivers ability to handle

Open GL renderings. When it first opens, both of the white fields are blank. The Run Check button

will look for your system’s Video Driver and then display its parameters in the left field. Load Database produces a listing of Video Drivers whose Open GL performance has been checked by

ADA. It allows you to quickly scan the list to see if your Video Driver is listed and, if so, how it

handles Open GL


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PART I. A BRIEF TOUR

Before we begin to model a new room, lets take a short walk through the program. Warning, if

before starting the Tutorial you explored the program and changed some of the settings, you

may not see the exact screens shown in the Tutorial. If you experience graphic problems or Open

GL warnings during the tour, the chances are you have a video driver problem.

Opening a Project

EASE offers you three ways to open a Project, Open Project under the File pull down menu, the

Open Project icon (the file folder icon) in the Tool Bar or the Start Working icon on the Desk Top.

Either method will take you to the Projects Folder where you can select the desired project. We want

to review the Theater 1 project. It should be stored in the EASE40Data/Projects40/Examples folder

on your C: Drive. We’ll use the Open Project icon in the Tool Bar to open the project.

Note: If during installation you elected to store the EASE40 Data on another drive, it will be

located there instead of on the C: Drive

Click on the icon, then select Theater1 and Theater1.frd . This will bring up (upload) the Theater 1

files, change the appearance of the screen and produce a Loading Complete: Draw Room prompt.


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Answering Yes to the prompt will open the Project Editor program module and produce a new screen

with a 3-D view of the Theater 1 project. The Edit Project window probably opened in a normalized

size and occupies only a portion of the screen. Use the Maximize button in the upper right hand

corner of the window to maximize the window size so that it occupies the entire screen. Then

minimize the window. Before we go on, we want to take a close look at the tree in the left panel.

Project Data Files

The tree in the left panel represents a quick way to review the data files associated with the project

and then, if you want, print a hard copy for your files. Selecting Loudspeakers, for example,

produces in the right panel a listing of all the loudspeakers used in the project, complete with their

locations and their aiming angles.

Selecting Send Picture To from the File pull down menu will give you the choice of sending the

window to the Clipboard , to File in a number of different file formats, or to the EasePage Designer .The EasePage Designer allows you to customize the graphic by adding notes and then either save or

print the graphic.

Saving the window to the Clipboard allows you to copy the window into another program such as

Word or PageMaker, customize it and then file it away or print it.


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Part 1. Overview

No matter how you save it, you end up with a hard copy list of the Loudspeakers being used in the

project and their location that you can turn over to your installation crew. It takes all the guesswork

out of where to hang the loudspeakers and how to aim them.

Now return to the Edit Project Data window.

Note the intersecting red, green and blue lines. They identify for you the 0, 0, 0 point of the model

and the X, Y, and Z axis to help you keep your orientation while viewing the model from different

angles. Green is the +Y axis, Red the +X axis and Blue the +Z axis. The purple lines show the

loudspeaker aiming points and can be easily turned off.

The areas outlined in green are the Audience Areas upon which most of the performance mapping

will take place.

The red chairs are Listener Seats that have been placed in the model for use in detailed electro-

acoustic simulations.


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Project OptionsBefore we go on let’s take a look at another EASE 4.1 feature, Project Options. Return to the Main

Window by minimiziing the Edit Project screen and select Project Options from the File pull down

menu to open the Project Options window shown below.

Note that the Project Path field shows you the location of the Theater 1 folder. If you were creating

a new project and wanted to store the folder in another location, on a network server for example,

this is where you would set up the folder location.

This window also lists the wide variety of files you will be creating while using EASE 4.1 and gives

you the opportunity to select the file structure that will be used for this project. You can choose

between the default Beginner structure or the more detailed Advanced structure.

Try it out. Clicking on Trace File - (*trc), for example, will display the default file location for all

Trace files in the Default to folder field. Under Beginner , the initial default location, Trace files will

be stored in a Raytracing folder. Clicking on Advanced changes the location to a Trace folder. The

choice of which structure to use is yours.

Close the Project Options window and reopen the Edit Project window.


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Part 1. OverviewViewing a Project

As you can see, the top portion of the Edit Project screen is devoted to the Main menu bar and a

number of Tool Bars. The left side of the screen has two Tool Bars, the ones most often used in

constructing a model. These Tool Bars place within easy reach the most frequently used tools needed

to Edit (construct or change) a model. Don't worry about having to memorize their use; dragging the

cursor onto any tool brings up its description. Try it, it works.

It should be noted here that many of the Tool Bar commands can also be initiated with Key com-

mands. If you know the Key commands, it’s usually easier and faster to use them. Most, if not all of

the commands can also be accessed by using the pull down menus.

The Tool Bars can be moved to any spot on the screen by grabbing the Move bar on their left side

and dragging them to a new location. They can also be deleted and then restored at a later time using

the Modify Toolbar command under the File pull down menu.

The scroll bars on the sides and bottom of the screen allow you to turn, rotate and resize the room

drawing. They make it easy to view the room from any angle, a very important feature. Try out thescroll bars. Its fun, and you need to become familiar with them. Note that the model turns or rotates

around the center of the image. You can change this by using the cursor and left mouse button to

select a point on the model. The model will then rotate or turn around that point.

Another way to turn and resize the room is the Turn icon in the Tool Bars. Use the left

Mouse button and cursor to turn the drawing and the right Mouse button to zoom in and

out on the drawing.

It should be noted that the model itself does not rotate or turn. What is actually rotated or turned is

your point of view of the model. By moving the scrollbars, you are virtually moving yourself around

the model for better viewing.

To help you understand some of the tools and their use, a brief description of EASE parameters and

terminology follows. The key words are highlighted in bold type.

In EASE Rooms are constructed from Faces formed by joining 3 or more Vertices together to define

the boundaries (Edges) of the Face. A Face can have from 3 to an unlimited number of Vertices.

Rooms can be Open or Closed. A Closed Room is one whose Faces completely surround (en-

close) the Room. EASE needs a Closed Room before it can calculate the total surface area and

room volume figures needed for many of its simulations.

Faces normally have only 1 side of interest to the simulations (the reflective side) and it must be properly oriented (having the reflective surface facing into the Room) in order for the Room to be

closed, e.g. have boundary walls

Two-Fold Faces have two sides that are of interest to the simulations. They are used to add barriers

and reflective/absorptive panels into the room as well as to paste (Coat ) one Face on top of another.

Audience Areas are imaginary planes above a room surface, usually the floor, onto which EASE


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maps many of its acoustical simulations. They are traditionally placed 1.2 m (3.94 feet) above the

floor or at approximately the same height as the ears of seated listeners.

Note: Seating Areas different than Audience Areas. They are areas modeled into the room, usually by

pasting (Coating) aTwo-Fold Face on top of a floor Face. They make it easy to change the Room’s

acoustical properties to reflect various size audiences by placing materials having absorption charac-

teristics similar to those of the “public” on the exposed side of the Two-Fold Face.

Listener Seats are specific locations (points) within the Room. They are identified by a chair

symbol.

Objects are items that have been grouped together to form a single item or Object that can be

duplicated, saved or moved as a single item. Objects can be created from items of different types; for

example from Faces, Loudspeakers and Audience Areas.

Traditional EASE colors assignments are used in the Theater 1 example.

The background is gray

Vertices are shown in red

Faces are outlined in black

Audience Areas are outlined in green

Loudspeakers are blue

Listener Seats are red

Lamps are yellow

Other color assignments are possible to suit individual needs or preferences. Note that in the model

we are working with the Vertices are visible. This can be changed by clicking on the Show Vertices

icon in the Tool Bar section.

When you were practicing with the scroll bars, you may have noticed that when you picked a spot on

one of the Faces, its border changed from black to either white or yellow. This is the programs way

of displaying the orientation of that Face. A white outline on a picked Face means that you are

looking at the outside (the non exposed side) of that Face. Yellow means you are looking at the

inside of that Face (the reflective side), the side that should be facing into the room. Learn this.

Its a crucial point.

Now, let's continue our exploration of EASE. Return to the Main menu by clicking on it (you may

have to first shrink the Edit Project screen) and select the View pull down menu and choose Standard

Rendering.

Note: Choosing Architectural Rendering would have opened the Vision Module. We’ll explore this

feature in the Vision Module section of this manual.

Notice that selecting Standard Rendering opens a new program called Eyes and that the Edit Project


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program remains active. The choice of whether to leave the Edit Project program open or to close it

is yours, depending on whether or not you want to change the Room properties or the Loudspeaker

settings, etc. during simulation.

A new graphic with a new set of Tool Bars also appears. See screen below. Notice that all of the

walls are solid, except for the ones the program removed to allow you to look into the room.

Note that the isometric view you are looking at may not be the same isometric view you were seeing

in the Room Editor. If it isn’t, use the 3-D icon in the Tool Bars to change its orientation. Each click

on the icon will turn the view by 90 degrees around the Z-Axis

The Eyes program module provides a number of different eye-catching and illuminating ways of

looking at the room. Go to the View pull down menu and turn off Solid Rendering by clicking on it

to produce another room graphic.

Next, go to the Item pull down menu and turn off Outline all Faces. This will produce the viewshown on the next page. Some users prefer this view, while others prefer to have all the Faces

outlined as they feel it helps them visualize the room better. Its your choice. Try selecting Colored

Outlines, too. You may like this look even better.


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Now, let's try out the various ways to color the room surfaces. To do this we must first return to

Solid Rendering. Open the View pull down menu and select Solid Rendering. Then, go to the Dye

pull down menu to try out the various ways, especially the Material Alpha, Alpha Spectrum and

Random Color options. The Material Alpha view allows you to look at the surfaces based on their

absorption characteristics at a specific frequency. The Alpha Spectrum view paints the surfaces

based on their average absorption over the entire frequency range. Random Color paints each

surface a different color and makes it easy to distinguish one surface from another.

You may feel that the green Audience Areas detract from the appearance of the Room. If you do, turn

them off by going to the Items pull down menu. Turn the Audience Areas “Off” by clicking on

Audience Areas. Note that you can also turn “Off” the Listener Seat and Loudspeaker symbols.

You also have a choice of showing the Loudspeakers as symbols or as Case (wireframe) drawings.

To make your choice, right click on the screen to open the Options Folder, select the Items Tab and

make your choice. It should be noted that Case drawings for the loudspeakers being used must be

available in EASE before the program can display them. In Speaker Base, you can create Case

drawings for ones that are missing from the database in the EASE.

So far, we have looked at the Room from an External point of view. There are also several ways to

look at the room from the inside. Selecting the Look From Loudspeaker icon in the Tool Bars (the

default position is in the right secion of the top row of Tool Bars) will open a selection menu giving

you the opportunity to choose the Loudspeaker you want to use to look at the room. Selecting one

(Main, for example) will produce an inside view of the Room from that loudspeaker. See next page.


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You can also look at the room from any one of the Listener Seats by clicking on the Look From

Listener Seat icon and then selecting one of the seats.

Using the Walker

No tour of an actual room would be complete without walking around the room and EASE allows

you to do just that with the Walker . All you need to do is click on the Walker icon

The Walker Icon.

If the Walker screen is obscuring the graphics, use your mouse to move it. Notice that a small X, Y,

Z icon has been added to the room graphic. It shows you the location of the Walker . You can change

the location, by changing the coordinate information, by using the arrow buttons, or by using the

mouse cursor to grab the X, Y, Z icon and physically move it.


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If you decide to physically move it, you may have to first change the operating mode of the Mouse.

Use key command “p”.

The arrow buttons in the Walker control panel above and below the Go To button (the pointing finger

icon) allow you to move up and down. The other 4 buttons allow you to move to the right or left and

forward or backward in the room; use the scroll bar on the bottom of the screen to turn your head and

the right scroll bar to move up or down.

To view the room from the Walker location, click on the Eye icon. It toggles between the Walker

(Orthographic and Perspective) viewpoints. If all you see is a blank wall, it's probably because your

head is turned and you are looking at the rear of the room instead of the front. Use the bottom scroll

bar to turn your head until you can see the front of the room. Take a walk around, you'll enjoy it.

Note: Even if you do not have EARS, you can also initiate a direct sound auralization by clicking

on the Ear icon. This is true for both EASE and EASE JR. If you have EASE, you can also activate

the Acoustical Probe from the Walker control menu by clicking on the Microphone icon.

EASE users can, by pressing the Lightning button, also initiate a Ray Tracing Impact study at the

Walker location. For users having AURA, the Aura button opens AURA for a monaural Impulse

study at the Walker and Listener Seat positions.

Calculation Setup Menus

The bottom row of Tool Bars associated with the Eyes program module also provide direct access to

the mapping functions.

First, find the Direct SPL button and turn it on. This will initiate the mapping routine by bringing up the following setup window.


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Part 1. Overview

All EASE simulations are based upon a number of setup parameters. For example, the program

needs to know what loudspeakers will be used and at what frequency the simulation should be run.

The setup window on the previous page and the two that follow take you step by step through the

points that need to be considered.

We’ll review all of the setup parameters in detail later on in this tutorial. For now, since we are just

taking a quick tour we’ll accept most of the default settings. The only change we need to make in

this window is to select the Loudspeakers we want to use.

Clicking on the Lspk button will bring up a selection menu. Right click on OK to select all of the

Loudspeakers and then left click to approve the selection.

Now press Next to open the second setup tab.

For our first simulation we want to map on all the Audience Areas, so no changes are necessary in

this window. All we need to do is press Next to go on to the third setup window.

Note: If you turned Off the Audience Areas in the previous exercise, you will need to go to the

Items pull down menu and turn them back On. EASE will not map on an area that is turned Off.


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The only change we need to make in this setup window is under Calculations. The balcony in this

Theater does shadow those seated under it from the main cluster and we certainly want the

program to take this shadowing into account in the simulation. Put a check in the Map With

Shadowing box and then click OK to start the simulation. When it is complete the following screen

will appear.


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We’ll explain its purpose later. For now, either minimize it by clicking on the Minimize icon or

close it entirely, so you can see the results of the simulation..

Notice the level variations caused by lobing in front of the front cluster. Also note that the scroll

bars are active and you can turn, enlarge and rotate the graphic to get a better look at the results.

At this point you might try running a simulation with Shadowing turned Off to see the difference

shadowing makes. An intelligibility check would also be interesting. Click on the ALcon’s Icon to

run it.

EASE will also Map on any or all of the room surfaces. Let’s look at the amount of energy the Main

loudspeaker is placing on the walls and ceiling. Click on the Direct SPL icon again and when the

Calculation Parameters (Mapping) window opens turn Off all but the Main Loudspeaker; hit OK .

Hit Next and when the second (Settings) setup window appears turn Off On Areas and turn On On

Faces. Then press the Face button and select Faces F1, F4, F5 & F6. Hit OK to run the simulation

(hold down the Ctrl key while using the left Mouse button to select the Faces).

The results are shown at the top of the next page. Notice the surprising amount of energy that is being placed on the walls. To see how much is hitting the ceiling, use the scroll bar to turn the display.

If you look closely at the display, you will also notice that there are colors in the rendering that are

not included in the Color Legend . The reason is that the Color Legend has a range of only 20 dB

while the level variation in the display is greater.


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If this presents a problem, go to the Utilities pull down menu and click on Show Legend. This will

insert a color legend with a scroll bar that enable you to identify all the colors.

You probably noticed that your screen includes the setup Parameters on the left and a Color Legend

chart on the right. You can turn these Off if you desire. To turn them Off , go to the View folder in the

Options menu [F9] and turn Off Auto Insert Parameters and Auto Insert Legend . This gives you the

choice of including or not including them in the display.

Calculations Menu

This leaves us with the Calculations pull down menu to investigate. Close the Eyes program module

and select Calculations from the EASE Main menu. Opening it gives you a choice of selecting either

Area Mapping or Room Mapping. The Room Mapping module accessed from here is the same

module you accessed from the View menu. Area Mapping maps the systems performance onto the

Audience Areas. See graphic on the next page. One advantage of using Area Mapping is that the

Audience Areas can actually be moved on the screen to eliminate one Audience Area from partially

overlapping or completely blocking your view of another area. Note that in this graphic the Balcony

Audience Area (the Audience Area at the bottom of the screen) has been moved so that it doesn’tobscure the two Main Floor Audience Areas.

To experiment with this, go to the Edit Project Module and select Area Layout from the Edit pull

down menu. Then select Move from the Edit pull down menu and move the Audience Areas from

one spot to another by grabbing then with the pliers tool.


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Part 1. Overview

The same simulations are offered in Area Mapping as in Room Mapping; the only difference is in the

manner of presentation. The graphics are just as informative and just as colorful. Try them out; use

the Tool Bars on the left of the screen to change the presentation methods; use the scroll bars to

expand, rotate and turn the graphic; become familiar with the way the program operates. A typical

Direct SPL (direct sound) simulation appears below.


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Ray Tracing, a feature of EASE available only on a limited basis in EASE JR, can also be accessed

from the Calculations menu. We'll spend more time on the various simulations provided by EASE

and their meaning later on in the Tutorial.

EDIT Project Menu Tool Bars

Now let's return to the Edit Project menu and prepare to build a room. Close all the open windows

except for the EASE Main menu and select Project Data to return to the Edit Project screen. First,

we'll review the various Edit Project menu tool bars and their purpose.

The tool bar shown here includes Open/Acquire Project Data, View

Options and Save Project Data buttons.

The Open/Acquire Project Data button allows you to open a project from this programwithout having to first open the project in the Main program.

“F9” The View Options button opens the Edit Project Data Options folder shown

below and allows you to change the various setup options to suit your taste. Please note

that these options govern only the Edit Project program.

"F6" The Save Project Data button is one you should be using often. It both saves any

changes you have made and sends them to the Main Project file and other associated

program modules. It's the one that protects you against computer crashes.


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We suggest you take a quick look though the Options menu folders to become familiar with the

options available. While looking at theView Tab make sure the Render System Axes box is checked.

This turns on the X, Y, Z Axis icon that helps you keep your orientation while viewing or modeling a

room. We also suggest opening the Grid Tab and checking all 3 of the Omniview Grid boxes. This

adds grid lines to the X, Y, & Z views, a useful feature.

"Hot Keys" are available for many of the Tool Bar options. They are shown in Italics beside their

tool icon.

This tool bar provides easy access to several printing functions.

This button sends the picture to the EASE Page Designer for printing.

This button copies the picture to the Clipboard.

This button allows you to save the picture in a number of different electronic

formats.

This tool bar controls the views that appear on the screen.

Become familiar with these buttons and Hot Keys as you will be using them a lot.

"O" The OmniView button divides the screen into 4 sections and simultaneously

displays 3D, X (side), Y (end) & Z (top) views of the room. It is a toggle control that

turns the 4 section multiview display On and Off.

This button starts the drawing spinning. It is a toggle control that turns “spin” on and

Off.

"x" This button activates a view of the room looking down the X axis, i.e., a side

view of the room.

"y" This button activates a view of the room looking down the Y axis, i.e., an end

view of the room.

"z" This button activates a view of the room looking down the Z axis, i.e., a top or

overhead view of the room.

"3" This button initiates the traditional 3-D view of the room.

"Home Key" The Full View button shown here adjusts the display to fit the screen.

It's one of the most popular buttons and you'll find yourself using it often.


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Note: "Shift" plus the X, Y or Z key command both activates the appropriate view and

opens the Editing folder in the Options menu to allow you to set the Editing Plane

value. Users who like to do most of their modeling graphically use these commands

often. Don't overlook them.

This tool bar is referred to as the Mouse tool bar.

"p" This button turns the cursor into a pointer that can be used to "Pick" (select)

drawing items, such as Faces, Vertices & Loudspeakers. Turn it on and use it to select

various items. Note that when items overlap the Pick will sequence through the over-

lapping items as you continue to click using the left mouse button. This feature is extremely useful

at times. There are times, however, when you may want to change the way the Pick feature works to

eliminate the need to Pick several times before you get to the item you want. The Pick folder under

the Option menu allows you to make this change.

Now, try selecting an item using the Pick cursor and the left mouse button. Then hit the right mouse

button. As you can see, this automatically opens a pop up Mouse menu listing all the options

available on the selected item. You'll be using the right mouse button a lot as you work with EASE.

"c" This is the Center button. Selecting it and then clicking on any spot in the drawing

and move that spot to the center of the screen.

"d" This is the Drag button. Select it and then grab the drawing and move it to any

where on the screen by holding down the left mouse button and "dragging" the

drawing.

“t” The Turn & Zoom button. Select it, then use the right mouse button to choose the

area you want to rotate and turn the drawing by holding the right mouse button down and

moving the cursor. Note that you can also Zoom In and Zoom Out by holding the left

mouse button down and moving the cursor.

"F11" The Zoom button. Select it and then use your mouse to drag a box around the

portion of the room you want to zoom in on.

"F12" The Unzoom button. Select it and then use your mouse to draw a box on the

screen. The program will then shrink the room to fit into the box.

Another useful toolbar.

In EASE, a Property Sheet represents the data file on a specific item, such as a

Face. A typical Property Sheet for a Face appears on the next page


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This New Item button represents a shortcut to opening a Property Sheet for a new item,

one way to add a new item to the room drawing.

The Properties [F4} button is a quick way to open the Property Sheet on a selected

item.

The Undo and Redo buttons do exactly what you would expect them to do.

The tool bar shown here serves a variety of functions.

The Move Item tool allows you to grab an item, such as a Face and move it. It is most

useful when modeling in the Omni View mode.

"F2" The Assign button is used to quickly and easily change a Face' s surface mate-

rial or to change loudspeaker models. It opens either the Wall Material or the Loud-

speaker data files, depending on which type of item is picked.

The Change Color button opens the color library so the color of the picked item can bechanged in all screens that allow for different colors.

EASE requires that all Vertices in a Face must be in the same plane. The Flatten Face

button attempts to flatten any Face that is not perfectly flat, i.e. is non-planar. Use this

option with care as it can create more problems while solving one problem. Another

way to correct a non-planar condition is to break the Face into triangles.


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The Invert Face button does exactly what its name implies. It inverts a Face. EASE

requires that all Faces be properly oriented before a Room can be Closed . It's easy

while modeling a Room to put a Face in backwards.

The Invert Face button makes correcting this a snap; simply Pick the offending Face and

then click on the Invert Face button. Notice that the color of the Face changes. If it was

a single sided Face, the edges were either white or yellow when you first picked it and

then changed to the other color when you hit the Invert Face button. The default colors

for Double Sided Faces are orange and blue.

In EASE, a white outline on a picked Face means that you are looking at the outside (the non-

reflective side) of the Face; yellow means you are looking at the inside or reflective side of the

Face, the side looking into the Room. Memorize this, it's one of the rules you need to know to

work with EASE.

This tool bar provides a quick way to take a look at the room model from the viewpoint of a

loudspeaker, a listeners seat, a light source or an IR emitter. Just click on the appropriate icon and

select the desired item.

The default position for this tool bar on the left side ot the Edit Project window. It is used to insert

(add) items to a drawing. Clicking on the Loudspeaker button and then on the drawing screen, for

example, will add a loudspeaker to the drawing and open the Property Sheet associated with it for

editing.

"v" Insert Vertex button. Note that in EASE 4.0, Faces can have an unlimited num

ber of Vertices.

"e" Insert Edge button

"f" Insert Face button

"l" Insert Loudspeaker button

"a" Insert Audience Area button


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"s" Insert Listener's Seat button

“m” Insert Lamp button

“i” Insert IR Emitter button (if special Infrared module is available)

The remaining icons in the vertical tool bar are used to quickly

add 2D and 3D items to a drawing.

Insert Square button

Insert Rectangle button

Insert Polygon button; used to insert multisided Faces having irregular shapes.

Insert Regular Face button; used to insert multisided Faces having a regular or sym

metric shape, such as octagons and hexagons.

Create Shape 3D button; a shortcut to the Create 3D Shapes function is used to quickly

insert 3D shapes, such as cylinders and cuboids, into a model.

We'll be working with these tools in a few minutes as we begin to construct a room.

The last three tool bars are all associated with the basic EASE elements; Vertices, Edges, Faces,

Loudspeakers, Audience Areas, Listener Seats, Lamps and, if available, the IR Emitters.

This tool bar turns off the display for the associated items. There are times, for example, when a

clear print of the room is needed and showing the Vertices and Audience Areas only detracts from

the display. The buttons are toggle controls and turn the individual items On & Off.


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The Label Item tool bar adds to the screen the name (label) for all of the selected items; The Vertex button, for example, adds the "P" numbers to the screen.. The Vertex numbers are useful information

to have, but they tend to clutter up the screen when the room is small. Accordingly, most users

will turn them on only occasionally.

The buttons on the Show Item tool bar open the Tables associated with each item. The Tables are a

summary listing of the element selected; , for example, the Vertex button brings up a detailed listing of

all the Vertices used in the project.

Note: The Ctrl + Shift + _ key command works in a similar fashion; with for example, Ctrl + Shift

+ v brings up the detailed listing of all the Vertices used in the project.

VISION

The last stop on our tour of EASE 4.1 will be the all new Vision program module. Vision allows you

to enhance the visual aspects of a model by adding light and shadows to the room and Textures to the

surfaces. Let’s see how it works.

Close the Theater 1 project and open Vision 1 (go to File/Open Project and select Vision 1 or use the

desktop icons). When the Loading Complete/Draw Room prompt appears answer No; then select

Standard Rendering from the View pull down menu. (Since you are not familiar with this Model,

we’ll take a look at it in Standard Rendering before we proceed to the Vision module.)

Selecting Standard Rendering may bring up another prompt asking you Check Data. If the prompt

appears , OK it and press F5 or select Check Data from the Edit pull down menu. Then click on

Standard Rendering again.

This will open the screen shown on the next page. The first thing you will notice is that a large Face

has been placed outside the room model. We’ll see its purpose when we open the Vision module.

First, use the techniques you learned earlier to take a good look at the Room. Click on the Walker

icon and use it to walk around the Room.


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When you have finished with your tour, close the Standard Rendering module and return to the Main

menu and select Architectural Rendering. This will open the screen shown below.


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Note that except for a few color changes, it looks pretty much the same as the Standard Rendering

version. Vision has 4 rendering modes and opens in the OpenGL Simple Map mode which doesn’t

show reflections, shadows and variations in color or shade.

For a better display, open the Calculations pull down menu and select OpenGL Texture Map. OK

the setup parameters. Be prepared for the rendering to a minute or two. This model has 899 Faces

and the rendering takes time. You can watch the progress in the Process Tile readout above the Tool

Bar. The same readout area will post the file size as soon as the rendering is completed.

The first thing you’ll probably notice is that the large Face outside the model is a Mountain scene.

It’s purpose is to add realism to the model by allowing you to look out the windows while inside the

model and see scenery. We’ll do that later.

You probably will also noticed the model is dark. The reason is that the lights are not turned on. In

Vision, as in real life, you need light to see. Click on the Bulb icon and when the Bulb listing appears

turn on all the lights (right click on OK to select all the items and then left click to OK the selection.)

OK the Recalculate prompt when it appears and the Calculation Setup Parameters.

You’ll notice a big difference when the rendering is completed.


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Both the OpenGL Simple Map and OpenGL Texture Map rendering modes allow you to move

around the model. Select the Walker and take a walk around the room. You should also try out the

Turn & Zoom feature. Select the Turn & Zoom icon. Then use the right mouse button to turn right

or left and the left mouse button to move forward, backward, right and left in the room. Its a quick

and easy way to move around the model once you get the feel for it.


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Notice that the rendering is blurred and jagged in some areas. This is primarily a matter of resolution.

To go to a higher resolution rendering, go to the Calculations pull down menu and select Scanline.

Notice how the rendering improves (see below.)

Raytracing, the 4th renderin

EASE4.1_-_Tutorial_Complete.pdf

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