Re: [EnergyPlus_Support] Re: Running simulation using VB

Const SW_SHOW = 1

Public Declare Function ShellExecute Lib "Shell32.dll" Alias "ShellExecuteA" _

(ByVal hwnd As Long, _

ByVal lpOperation As String, _

ByVal lpFile As String, _

ByVal lpParameters As String, _

ByVal lpDirectory As String, _

ByVal nShowCmd As Long) As Long

'Simple subroutine to run eplus batch file. Pass in three arguments: Path to batch file, Input File Name (if it is in the example files folder), and the working directory (directory containing batch file)

Sub RunYourProgram()

Dim RetVal As Long

On Error Resume Next

RetVal = ShellExecute(0, "open", "C:\EnergyPlusV3-0-0\RunEPlus.bat", "PlantLoadProfile", "C:\EnergyPlusV3-0-0\", SW_SHOW)

End Sub

On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 6:16 PM, gadolio2002 <gadolio2002@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I tried the first option but it keeps telling me that it can't find the Energy+.idd file although its in the same directory.
Here is the code,

Private Sub CommandButton1_Click()
Dim RetVal
RetVal = Shell("C:\EnergyPlusV3-0-0\RunEplus.bat plant LasVegas", 4)
End Sub

Upon execution, a command window appears instantaneously then disappears, and no results are stored.

Appreciate your help.

--- In EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Edwin Lee <leeed2001@...> wrote:
>
> I guess there's a couple options.
> 1) Modify your macro to run the EnergyPlus.exe directly and avoid the batch
> file. This would require setting up the input file and renaming it to
> in.idf, as well as copying your weather file to in.epw. Then you would
> post-process as necessary.
>
> 2) When you use the shell command, you have to be careful with your quotes
> if you are passing paths with directories and spaces. I have run batch
> files and such from VBA in the past, and I remember having some issues with
> the shell function, but that stuff's long gone with a reformat. If your
> issue is directly related to the shell function, you may have better luck
> hitting a vba forum. If you'd like to post a brief snip of your vba routine
> (only the relevant variables and calls), I'll have a look at it.
>
> Edwin
>
> On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 5:51 PM, gadolio2002 <gadolio2002@...> wrote:
>
> > Thanks for the response Edwin. I've already tried to follow the
> > documentation, but it seems that when I execute the command to run the
> > simulation using the Shell function, it doesn't pass the input file name to
> > E+ batch file (the simulation initiates but stops soon sfter because no
> > input file was specified)?
> >
> > Thanks Again.
> >
> >
> > --- In EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<EnergyPlus_Support%40yahoogroups.com>,

> > Edwin Lee <leeed2001@> wrote:
> > >
> > > To run E+ from a VBA macro, you'll probably just be starting an
> > executable
> > > through the shell. This can be found all over the place with google:
> > >
> > http://www.computing.net/answers/programming/vba-shell-function/2677.html
> > >
> > > for one.
> > >
> > > There is information in the AuxillaryPrograms.pdf documentation that
> > comes
> > > with E+ about how to run E+ directly, without a front-end. Just search on
> > > 'Running EnergyPlus by Hand'.
> > >
> > > Good luck...
> > > Edwin
> > >
> > > On Tue, Mar 17, 2009 at 5:03 PM, gadolio2002 <gadolio2002@> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hi All,
> > > >
> > > > Can someone guide me through how to run an EnergyPlus Simulation using
> > > > Microsoft Visual Basic Macro (from Excel)?
> > > >
> > > > Thanks
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>