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Batch Operation

CadnaA allows you to automatically perform a grid or receiver calculation for several projects in succession. This is particularly useful for long calculations, e.g. if calculations are to be carried out over the weekend or overnight.

The steps required to use batch mode are explained below.

Batch directory

In this directory and its two subdirectories, /IN and /OUT, the files for batch processing are organized. The files stored in the /IN directory are loaded, calculated, and then saved in the /OUT directory by CadnaA (in batch mode).

To set up a directory for batch processing, select the command Choose Batch Directory from the menu Calculation | Batch. Once a folder is selected, CadnaA automatically creates the IN and OUT subdirectories (if they don’t already exist). By default, the directory C:/batch is used.

Starting CadnaA in Batch Mode

To initiate the calculation, CadnaA must be started in batch mode, which is indicated by the text "(batch)" in the title bar of the main window. The batch mode can be started in the following ways:

  • Starting from the Menu: If CadnaA is launched in "normal" mode (non-batch mode), batch mode can be activated via the menu Calculation | Batch | Batch Mode.
  • Starting with a CALC License: When using a CALC license, which is is used for calculations only, CadnaA will automatically start in batch mode.

  • Starting via Shortcut: Create a shortcut that includes the additional parameter /batch=1 in the "Target" field. See the steps below:
    • Create a new shortcut for CadnaA.
    • For this file, select „Properties“.
    • In the Target field, add a space and then the text "/batch=1" after the path to the CadnaA application, as shown in the graphic below.
    • In the Target field, add a space and then the text "/batch=1" after the path to the CadnaA application, as shown in the graphic below.
    • When you double-click this shortcut, CadnaA will start in batch mode.

Input box „Target“ extended by „ /batch=1“

Calculation in batch mode

When CadnaA is started in batch mode, it checks every 30 seconds to see if a .cna file is present in the IN folder. If a file is found, it is opened, calculated, and saved in the OUT folder.

Calculation options

When using batch mode, specific calculations can be set for each file to be processed. This is defined through the menu „Calculation | Batch | Batch Calculation“.

Current Variant/All Variants Selection

This setting specifies which variants are to be calculated. When using the "Selection" option, the calculation type can be defined after selecting one or more variants.

Calculation Types

The following calculation types are available:

  • Receivers / Building Evaluations
  • Grid
  • Continue grid calculation (only for "current variant")
  • Air Pollution Calculation (only for "current variant")

Information regarding the variant and calculation type is stored in a local text block called CNABATCH. If this text block is not present, the grid for the current variant will be calculated by default.

Batch Calculation with multiple PCs

When calculations are to be distributed across multiple PCs, the batch directory can be created on a network drive. Each computer then designates this directory as the batch directory. Every computer (or the CadnaA instance running on it) checks every 30 seconds for files to be processed and initiates calculations accordingly.

Access by multiple computers to the same folder in batch mode is unambiguously regulated. When a computer initiates a calculation by opening a file, the file extension is changed from .cna to .cnc, preventing other computers from processing the same file. Upon completion of the calculation, the file is renamed back to .cna and moved to the OUT folder.

In this context also pay attention to the comprehensive facility of PCSP (Program Controlled Segmented Processing) - (see PCSP - Program Controlled Segmented Processing).

Processing Order

If multiple CadnaA files are present in the IN folder, they are processed in order of their file date, with the oldest file processed first.

Message after finishing the calculation

A message can be displayed by CadnaA when a calculation has terminated. This requires that a message software (e.g. WinPopUp) is installed to your computer and that a local text block CALC_MESSAGE has been defined in the CadnaA file. In this text block, the PC‘s path or the PC‘s name which should receive the message must be defined.

PCSP

Refer also to PCSP (Program Controlled Segmented Processing) option (see PCSP - Program Controlled Segmented Processing).