Starting with Equest

6 posts / 0 new
Last post

Hello!

I've just downloaded Equest and started playing with the options of this software.
First, I thought of drawing the whole architecture of my building and then include all the energy-related parameters, as I used to do in another software.
For one thing, I imported a cad file (with SI units) to Equest, I read that so far it's not possible to work with SI units in Equest, but it really doesn't matter (at least so far).
Then, I've noticed that there is no way to click exactly on the vertices of my drawing (I think one way to solve this problem is to decrease the grid resolution in the 'Poligon View Properties' dialog box) even selecting snap CAD as first.
Also, my building has different floors, and so far I just know how to draw one specific floor and replicate as many times as floors my building has. However, how can I draw different floors for the same building? I mean, from the first to the fifth floor are the same, and from the sixth to the eleventh is another structure.

I really appreciate your help!
Thanks in advance.

Billy C?ndor Romero

BillySonny's picture
Offline
Joined: 2012-09-17
Reputation: 0

Billy,

To snap to the CAD file you have to set the snap priorities. See below:
[cid:image004.png at 01CDD7B7.A66A6530]

Different floor plates - this can get tricky. Use the DD wizard instead of the SD wizard. You need good model management to pull this off.

Vikram Sami, LEED AP BD+C

Sami, Vikram's picture
Offline
Joined: 2011-09-30
Reputation: -1

Billy:

I know sometimes it is impossible to line up the vertices to the CAD using a
mouse. You can alternately edit the vertices in the X-Y table on the left in
the screenshot that Vikram shows below. Reviewing the table is also a good
check to see if things are perfectly square and plumb.

I try to draw using a mouse and if I am off a bit, then I edit the X-Y
coordinate and that squares up the space.

Paul Diglio, CEM, CBCP

Paul Diglio's picture
Offline
Joined: 2011-09-30
Reputation: 400

As far as modeling different floor footprints, you do that by creating multiple shells, and there are various properties in the shell's wizard that you set that define the relationship between the multiple shells. The properties that come to mind deal with spatially locating one shell on top of another and ground floor exposures.

So in your example, you create two shells. The first shell has 5 floors with the same footprint and the second shell has 6 shells with a different footprint. You then locate shell 2 above shell 1.

-- Jon

Jonathan Bowser, MCPD

Jonathan Bowser2's picture
Joined: 2011-09-30
Reputation: 0

I often create a new layer in the AutoCAD drawing and trace out the building outline and interior zones in AutoCAD. It?s easier for me to get the lines the way I want in AutoCAD than it is in the eQUEST interface. It simplifies the process in eQUEST to have only the layer with my lines without all the clutter of the other layers.

Keith Swartz, PE, LEED AP

Keith Swartz's picture
Offline
Joined: 2011-09-30
Reputation: 0

Hello. once you have draw your building plant on equest how you chose
which space is office or meeting etc. I know you can assign perimeter or
core zones afterwards but is there a way to select each space?

Thanks

Oscar Buchely L.'s picture
Joined: 2012-04-23
Reputation: 0