Re: [EnergyPlus_Support] IFCtoIDF and IFC HVAC Interface Questions

[Rob Hitchcock <RJHitchcock@xxxxxxx>]

Christopher,

IFCtoIDF is a utility that imports building geometry from an IFC data 
file and exports an EnergyPlus IDF with an energy simulation view (i.e., 
thermal view) of that geometry.  IFCtoIDF has been developed using the 
BSPro middleware for IFC import.  We are currently working with the 
developer of BSPro to iron out problems in IFCtoIDF in using the latest 
update of BSPro.

Since IFCtoIDF is designed to work with the IFC data format, independent 
from the CAD environment that generates an IFC data file, it is intended 
to work with any IFC data file from any CAD vendor.  In reality, this is 
problematic since different CAD vendors implement their IFC export in 
different ways.  This issue becomes important when you also have to 
transform what might be called the "architectural view" created in the 
CAD environment, into a "thermal view" necessary for energy simulation 
(e.g., subdividing a floor/ceiling slab covering the entire building 
footprint into surfaces bounding thermal zones above and below the slab).

With this background in mind, I have appended responses from a colleague 
to your specific questions below.

Rob Hitchcock
-- 

Robert J. Hitchcock, Ph.D.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
1 Cyclotron Road, Mailstop 90-3111
Berkeley, CA  94720

RJHitchcock@xxxxxxx

______________________________________________________________

Q: Am I correct in understanding that the IFCtoIDF utility is one 
directional?
A: Yes.

Q: And you cannot convert back to IFC from IDF??
A: Correct - you cannot rewrite building geometry without an appropriate 
CAD tool.

Q: Has anyone had success moving information from Revit to E+?
A: Yes, but only on an experimental basis.

Q: If not Revit are there other CAD style or IFC editors anyone has had 
luck using?
A: You need to use a model based CAD tool that can output a valid IFC2x2 
file.  ArchiCAD 9 is one such example.

Q: IFCtoIDF only deals with building geometry?
A: Yes.  Another tool is under development that will do more (e.g. 
import construction material layers defined in CAD).

Q: Am I looking for the wrong name of the ["IFC HVAC interface"] software?
A: The full, correct name is "IFC HVAC interface to EnergyPlus."

Q: Has anyone used this software?
A: Only in testing.

Q: Does anyone know how/where to get this software?
A: A beta version based on IDD versions 1.1.0 and 1.1.1 is available 
from LBNL upon request - contact this writer.

Q: Does it actual[ly] work as described (Convert IFC mechanical 
information into and back out of IDF format)?
A: It does in tests performed so far.

Dr. Vladimir Bazjanac
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
vlado@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
______________________________________________________________


mcdonaldce05 wrote:

> Howdy,
>
> I have a number of questions and if you can answer any of them that
> would be of great help. I am interested in the IFC to IDF file
> conversion capabilities mentioned on the DOE website. I've downloaded
> the IFCtoIDF utility and installed the BSPro COM server. I also have
> Autodesk Revit installed on the machine and am trying to convert
> simple buildings over to Energy Plus.
>
> Am I correct in understanding that the IFCtoIDF utility is one
> directional?
>
> And you cannot convert back to IFC from IDF?
>
> Has anyone had success moving information from Revit to E+?
>
> If not Revit are there other CAD style or  IFC editors anyone has had
> luck using?
>
> IFCtoIDF only deals with building geometry?
>
> I've read about a utility called the "IFC HVAC interface". However, I
> could not nail down if it was even released. Here are some questions
> about that.
>
> Am I looking for the wrong name of the software?
>
> Has anyone used this software?
>
> Does anyone know how/where to get this software?
>
> Does it actual work as described (Convert IFC mechanical information
> into and back out of IDF format)?
>
> Can anyone share experiences using this?
>
> If you have any information or experiences with any of the questions
> above or are also interested in this type of information re-use using
> IFC please feel free to contact me.
>
> -Christopher
>
>
>
>
>
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>
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>
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



The primary EnergyPlus web site is found at:
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