[Equest-users] 3.65 - new feature?

Tim Johnson timj at ctagroup.com
Thu Oct 31 07:52:19 PDT 2013


I haven't used 3.65 that much, but I like the new airside summary and
.sim viewer, they are quite a bit easier to use.  You can also batch
plot your reports, which will save a lot of time for LEED submittals. 
The other thing I noticed from my first real attempt at 3.65 the
building shade definition.  You can now use polygons for building
shades.  This will come in handy on occasion.  I haven't seen big
differences in modeling capabilities, but the interface improvements are
appreciated.
Tim

>>> R B <slv3sat at gmail.com> 10/31/2013 8:42 AM >>>
I am just now finishing up with a project using the new version -
haven't come across anything different (could be that none of the
updates are relevant to my project). Could you please describe some of
the nice features that you mention? 
Here is the stuff that looked different at the wizard level (haven't
used it) -
1. Something about data center in the wizard - I think it helps with
data center modelling? Also allows the location of thermostat in the
zone vs return air
2. Humidity can be set at the wizard level.
3. Allows water side economizer input
4. A database related button at the zone level?
Don't think I saw anything new in the detailed level.
Thanks,
-Rohini


On Thu, Oct 31, 2013 at 9:14 AM, Tim Johnson <timj at ctagroup.com>
wrote:


Hopefully these bugs can be worked out. There are some nice features
with the new version, but with the autocad issues and the hourly report
issues, I am with you, Brian. Jeff, I appreciate the update. We will be
looking for the updates.
Thanks,
Tim

Tim JohnsonMechanical Engineero 208.336.4900 ( tel:208.336.4900 ) | d
208.577.5645 ( tel:208.577.5645 ) 
>>> Brian Smith <brians at murraypc.com> 10/30/2013 10:49 AM >>>

Nathan's suggestion is the only one that I have been able to make work.
It should be easier than this. I have tried re-installing and running in
compatibility mode without much luck, backsaving and even saving as a
.dxf, but the layer list continually remains empty after supposedly
uploading. Might sit this update out unless I'm losing out on something
huge


Regards
Brian Smith, Mechanical Design Engineer
Murray & Associates, P.C.
T/907.780.6151 ( tel:907.780.6151 ) F/907.780.6182 ( tel:907.780.6182
)
www.murraypc.com




From: Nathan Miller [mailto:nathanm at rushingco.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 1:46 PM
To: Tim Johnson; 'Bruce Easterbrook'; 'Nick Caton';
ssavich at systemswestengineers.com
Cc: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org; brians at murraypc.com
Subject: RE: [Equest-users] 3.65 - new feature?


We have had the same issue, absolutely no success in getting an autoCAD
file to show up in 3.65 despite multiple attempts at file format, file
simplification, etc. 

So far we have resorted to creating the building geometry in 3.64 and
importing that into a “blank” 3.65 project. It is an awkward work-around
at best. 


Nathan Miller - PE, LEED®AP BD+C, CEM
Mechanical Engineer/Senior Energy Analyst 
RUSHING | D 206-788-4577 ( tel:206-788-4577 ) | O 206-285-7100 (
tel:206-285-7100 )
www.rushingco.com



From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Tim
Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 2:24 PM
To: 'Bruce Easterbrook'; 'Nick Caton';
ssavich at systemswestengineers.com
Cc: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org; brians at murraypc.com
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] 3.65 - new feature?



Did anyone come up with a solution for this issue? It doesn't seem to
be an issue with origin, file complexity, or AutoCAD version. If I use
AutoCAD 2014 it tells me I have an invalid file version. Older versions
act like they are working, but the layer list is empty. It doesn't
matter where I set my origin or how I set up the AutoCAD files. I use a
separate eQUEST layer for all my new model imports as previously
described. Could this be an issue with the installation? I have eQUEST
3.64 installed on my machine as well and the file import works just
fine. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Tim



Tim Johnson, PE, BEMP, LEED APMechanical Engineero 208.336.4900 (
tel:208.336.4900 ) | d 208.577.5645 ( tel:208.577.5645 )
>>> "Steven Savich" <ssavich at systemswestengineers.com> 10/10/2013 9:31
AM >>>
I use basically the same process to set up my CAD file for import.
Can’t stress enough how much time & headache you can save yourself in
the Wizard CAD import process by taking some extra time up front to do
exactly what Bruce describes below, especially resetting coordinates and
making an equest layer.

If I’m working on a building with multiple floors that have different
footprints or zone types/sizes, I also consolidate all of the zone
outlines in one autocad file, with a separate layer for each floor, and
match up the origin points.

Steven

From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Bruce
Easterbrook
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2013 8:41 PM
To: Nick Caton
Cc: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org; brians at murraypc.com
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] 3.65 - new feature?

Ditto, AutoCad is getting more complicated and the way it is used is
much different than a decade ago. I always double check the origin of
the AutoCad drawing and reset it to 0,0. I also set eQuest to 0,0 as
well. File sizes can be huge. I always make an eQuest layer in AutoCad
to simplify the co-ordinates and snap points, just a line diagram. On
big files I will dump everything except the layer I created. When equest
was created the CAD files were 500k, now they run 5M to 15M or more, 70
layers, xRefs. I don't think eQuest was set up to get whacked like that.
It is just like an excel box when the number is too big, you just get
number symbols. AutoCad files used to be slim and trim, it amazed me
what was on a drawing and how little file space it took on the hard
drive, this is not the case now. A big key is matching the origins on
both programs. For me the bottom left of the building or buildings is
always 0,0. There was an inquiry a week or so ago about a second
building import overlaying the original building. Same problem. eQuest
allows you to manipulate the origins. You can set other buildings down
where you want if you pay attention. Computers have zero intelligence.
They do what you tell then, they have limitations. If it doesn't fit in
the box things explode in unintended ways.
Bruce Easterbrook P.Eng
Abode Engineering
On 09/10/2013 5:21 PM, Nick Caton wrote:


I’ve had good luck so far with a 3.65 project currently importing… 6
different CAD references… more to come however.

When you import a new file, are the origin coordinates wildly off? If
that is the issue, your “invisible” reference might appear far on the
periphery if you zoom way out. I did notice that occurring a few times
in this project (although this issue happened with previous versions of
eQuest) and corrected to match the coordinates of previous imports. 

I have no idea exactly what causes this behavior & how to prevent it in
the first place. Still, to sync coordinates I think the easiest way is
when you first see the prompt on locating x/y coordinates for a new
import, the CAD file name in that same dialog is a dropdown you can
toggle to view the other imports you already have. By reference you can
edit/correct the new file’s settings to match the others.

Hope that helps!

~Nick



NICK CATON, P.E.
SENIOR ENGINEER

Smith & Boucher Engineers
25501 west valley parkway, suite 200
olathe, ks 66061
direct 913.344.0036 ( tel:913.344.0036 )
fax 913.345.0617 ( tel:913.345.0617 )
www.smithboucher.com 

From: Patrick J. O'Leary, Jr. [mailto:poleary1969 at gmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 09, 2013 3:25 PM
To: brians at murraypc.com
Cc: Nick Caton; equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] 3.65 - new feature?

any difference if using a different autocad version to import? 2004,
2007, 2011? 2004 had always worked best for me since it was less
complicated than newer versions.

On 10/9/13 12:19 PM, Brian Smith wrote: 
In the new format I have been having trouble uploading a CAD drawing
for a custom footprint. I'll go through the normal process of uploading
the CAD, hit apply to add the CAD drawing background, and nothing will
show up. I check the layer visibility and no layers are shown to check
or uncheck. So I'll try to add a drawing again, same result or just
outright freeze of eQuest. Anyone experiencing these problems


Thanks
Brian Smith, Mechanical Design Engineer
Murray & Associates, P.C.
T/907.780.6151 ( tel:907.780.6151 ) F/907.780.6182 ( tel:907.780.6182
)
www.murraypc.com



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