[Bldg-sim] 3D Modeling / Energy Analysis Compatibility

Vladimir Bazjanac v_bazjanac at lbl.gov
Tue Sep 3 09:54:14 PDT 2002


You can already import building geometry from ArchiCAD into
EnergyPlus.   At the moment you cannot do it from Revit; if Revit indeed
replaces ADT technology and becomes IFC compatible, it will be possible
to do it from Revit (or whatever it will be called) too.  Also at the
moment, you can import some geometry (not always and not all) from ADT
3.3.  You should be able to do it properly when Autodesk releases ADT 4.

To import building geometry from ArchiCAD, do the following:
1. Install IFC import in EnergyPlus (BS Pro COM Server and IFCtoIDF are
bundled).  Be sure that you are installing the *latest* version.
2. Verify that your installation of ArchiCAD includes the appropriate
IFC utility (IFC_200.apx or IFC_2x.apx in ~Add-Ons/Import-Export); if
missing, contact Graphisoft for the latest version.
3. Save your building file in ArchiCAD as IFC_200 or IFC_2X file type.
4. Run the saved IFC file through IFCtoIDF utility (that will generate
building geometry in IDF format).
5. Run the generated IDF file through EnergyPlus to verify building
geometry input - display the resulting DXF file to visually check the
imported geometry.
6. Manually change the default construction types in the generated IDF
file to what you want in the simulation.
7. Build the rest of the IDF file or splice the geometry into an
existing IDF file.

This describes the basic process.  You can do intermittent checks with
other tools (such as Solibri Model Checker) along the way, but that
should come later after you feel at home with this process.

Most likely, this will not work out for you the first time around. 
Since the existing documentation is way short of what it should be (but
eventually will be), you will probably run into problems you will not be
able to solve on your own.  Rather than getting frustrated, please
contact Rob Hitchcock or myself at LBNL (Rob's address is
rjhitchcock at lbl.gov) and we will help you solve them.

-- Vladimir Bazjanac, LBNL

> "Warren A. Campbell" wrote:
> 
> Is anyone familiar with the progress the industry is making towards
> integrating energy analysis software with some of the leading 3D CAD
> programs (ArchiCAD, Revit)?
> 
> Warren Campbell
> Millennium 3 Design Group
> (704) 333-1965.Ext 22
> 
> ======================================================
> You received this e-mail because you are subscribed
> to the BLDG-SIM at GARD.COM mailing list.  To unsubscribe
> from this mailing list send a blank message to
> BLDG-SIM-UNSUBSCRIBE at GARD.COM


======================================================
You received this e-mail because you are subscribed 
to the BLDG-SIM at GARD.COM mailing list.  To unsubscribe 
from this mailing list send a blank message to 
BLDG-SIM-UNSUBSCRIBE at GARD.COM



More information about the Bldg-sim mailing list