In what sense?
If you mean it doesn't have every single capability of modeling like the
IDF or Text editor would, yes. But nothing does. It's hard to keep up
with the E+ developer cycle ;-)
If you mean it doesn't run off Energyplus 3.0. It does.
I don't use it because it's too expensive. I prefer OpenStudio and the
IDF Editor/Textpad because you have access to all the capabilities that
E+ has to offer, but it took me years to become even semi comfortable
(read: confident) with modeling through a txt file.
Either way maybe this should be moved over to BLDG-SIM.
Alan Jackson, LEED AP
Free sketchup is not going to support dwg importing for much longer.
The current version of free sketchup (as of this month I believe) does
not support .dwg importing, actually. If you continue using any older
version - it shouldn't lose this functionality (keep your installation
files). The Sketchup development team has been clear on their intent to
continue .dwg and other proprietary format file support in the Pro
version.
**A moment on my soapbox**
Our office took this as a cue to recognize that the free version of
Sketchup is explicitly intended for educational/trial purposes, however
powerful it may be - not for professional design use. Our office
purchased a Pro license in response to ensure continued support of
import/export of .dwg and other formats we use. I'd encourage others on
bldg-sim to consider this carefully. The cost:benefit ratio of the free
version of Sketchup, for many of us, is pretty extraordinary. To top it
off it's actually fairly inexpensive as far as professional design tools
go.
**Stepping off the soapbox**
On a Sketchup-related note - I haven't mentioned this on [bldg-sim] yet,
but Sketchup-savvy users using a version with .dwg export support can
actually export their models into AGI32 for photometric and rendering
lighting/daylight studies after a little work in CAD to ensure a clean
import. I might write up an illustrated guide or post the full scoop
here at some point in the future, but for those interested in learning
immediately I'll just say to head over to the AGI32 forums to find a
lengthy post (intended to troubleshoot other AGI32-specific issues)
where I composed a pretty decent outline of the process to start.
NICK CATON, E.I.T.
Hi
What is the difference between the prerequisite Energy ant Atmosphere in LEED for Homes Mid-rise and single homes or LEED NC? is the 14% better than code a perquisite and does it have to be above the ASHRAE 90.1-2004 , Appendix G.
Any help is greatly appreciated
Nick et al,
I still think DesignBuilder offers good value for money when you compare it
to the cost of the pro-version of sketch-up. It imports dxf, pdf, tiff,
bmp, jpg (for 2d extruded modelling) & gbxml (for 3d importing). Ok,
perhaps it isn't quite as pretty as SketchUp in places, but let's face it,
as building physicists we're generally not interested in architectural
fancifulness. We are interested in boxes (well more or less) that make the
maths quicker. DesignBuilder does all that just the same. It also has the
advantage of the CFD tool module that allows you to look more closely
airflow distribution based on the results from your EnergyPlus simulations
which are directly linked if you want them to be and produces mean age of
air results, that you could use for other ventilation & comfort analysis.
Just my tuppence/2 cents worth.
Cheers
Dr Paul Carey
Paul et al,
Apologies if my comments were misconstrued either as a bash against
Designbuilder or a sales pitch for Sketchup. My post was and is
intended to clarify Sketchup's current .dwg file support and the related
cost implications. I personally am in full support of any and all
options/progress/market competition as necessary to advance the science
of building energy modeling.
Both Sketchup (in tandem with a variety of plugins and external
software) and Designbuilder are unique and powerful tools that each do a
variety of specific things very well.
"...but let's face it, as building physicists we're generally not
interested in architectural fancifulness. We are interested in boxes
(well more or less) that make the maths quicker. "
To be fair, sometimes the task-at-hand does call for a bit of
"architectural fancifulness," such as when presenting results of
preliminary massing studies to an architect/client! From my
perspective, Sketchup and Designbuilder both have a definite advantage
over some of the "for-cost" competition in this regard.
I'd also like to kindly clarify for any newer subscribers: you don't
have to be a hardcore physicist with zero aesthetic inclinations to
participate in [bldg-sim] or other onebuilding.org mailing lists! I've
only been subscribed for a year, but it's apparent that experienced and
inexperienced energy simulation enthusiasts alike are welcome from all
walks of the academic world and design industry.
NICK CATON, E.I.T.
Nick,
Sorry if I gave the impression I'm not interested in or appreciate
aesthetics. I actually see my role as marrying architecture and engineering
so I need to understand both. I was just trying to think about the maths
side of it. Many times I have received a sketchup model from an architect
and it is nigh-on impossible to use for modelling and simulation use as it's
just too fancy (for want of a better phrase).
I agree everyone welcome here. I was just making some comments too.
Cheers
Paul
So which is the Best ,Hevacomp,DesignBuilder,Ecotect,Openstudio...? for IDF files of E+
?Regards,
Sanjay Cholekar
Sanjay Cholekar
Kristin Shewfelt in our office has been working with the USGBC on the
mid-Rise and Homes LEED versions. Her response to the posting is below.
Ellen
Hi Ellen -
The energy prerequisite for mid-rise buildings (EA Credit 1.1: Minimum
Energy Performance for Mid-Rise) is a 15% improvement in the proposed
building performance rating per ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004. THE EPA MF
Building Performance Simulation Guidelines must be followed.
For single-family homes, the energy performance credit (EA Credit 1.1)
is tied to the U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR requirements, meaning a 15%
improvement vis-a-vis IRC 2004.
Please let me know if this is sufficient.
Thanks.
Kristin Shewfelt
Hi Kristin,
This question was posted on Bldg-sim. Can you answer it?
Ellen
Hi
What is the difference between the prerequisite Energy ant Atmosphere
in LEED for Homes Mid-rise and single homes or LEED NC? is the 14%
better than code a perquisite and does it have to be above the ASHRAE
90.1-2004 , Appendix G.
Any help is greatly appreciated