ECOTECT v5 offers a number of acoustic analysis options. These range from simple statistical reverberation times through to sophisticated particle analysis and ray tracing techniques.
Statistical Reverberation
Once the form and materiality of a space has been defined, the calculation of internal reverberation times is a relatively simple process. Though based on statistical formula, such curves provide an excellent initial indication of acoustic performance.
Sprayed Acoustic Rays
To accurately position and angle acoustic reflectors, linked sound rays can be sprayed from any point within a space. These rays interactively update as changes are made to either the room geometry or the sound source. This is an excellent way to understand the nature and effect of sound reflectors in any room.
Adjust the sound source, or...
...adjust the geometry to design the ideal reflectors
Animated Sound Particles
To gain an appreciation of sound propagation within any space, you can generate sound rays or particles either randomly distributed, evenly spaced or directed towards specific acoustic reflectors in the model. To understand sound decay you can choose to colour-code each particle as it propagates based on either its absolute level or its potential effect on sound perception within the space. This later option allows you to quickly highlight echoes and other detrimental acoustic anomalies.
Interactive Control Using the Mouse Wheel
In addition to animated displays, you can also control the propagation of rays and particles interactively using the mouse wheel if you have one. This allows you to move the sound backwards and forwards in time as you require. By choosing to display the level or delay of each ray/particle as text, this feature allows you to fully appreciate reflection and propagation effects anywhere in the space and at any time in the decay.
Interactive ray / particle control using the mouse wheel.
Colour-coded display for better visualisation of sound.
Colour-Coded Display
In order to visualise what is happening to the sound rays, ECOTECT offers a range of colour-coding systems based on absolute sound levels, perceived effect and order of reflection. Any coding system can be used in any ray or particle display.
Reflector Coverage
To display the effect of particular reflectors within the space it is possible to display their distribution as intersection points in the model. This can be done for any ray distribution method. If using an even distribution, each ray represents and equal solid angle so that the relative intensity of the reflection is equivalent to the dispersion or density of intersection point. When a single reflector is selected, the points use the current colour coding system. If multiple reflectors are selected, each reflector is assigned it's own unique colour in order for its reflection points to be individually discerned.
Single reflector.
Multiple reflectors.
Acoustic Analysis
Once you have generated acoustic rays, you can visualise the response of the enclosure using 2D analysis graphs. These graphs show the distribution of decay times within the ways. You can also generate large numbers of transient random rays in order to estimate reverberation times for each frequency band and derive average absorption coefficients and the mean free path length of the space. This information can then be fed back in to the statistical reverberation time routines for a more accurate RT calculation.
Relative sound levels.
Absolute sound levels.
Estimated decay times.
Linking Decay Rates to Geometric Path
One very important feature of the acoustic graphs in ECOTECT is that you can click on individual rays in the analysis graphs and see their full reflection path in the 3D model. This allows you to easily discern patterns in the rays that decay either very quickly or very slowly and quickly isolate why.
