Re: [EnergyPlus_Support] I need advices for choosing a GUI

Yes, but Hevacomp does not have the capabilities of EnergyPlus.

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Emanuele Naboni

per l'Italia: 346.4133337
from US: +39.346.4133337
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MArch, PhD Building Science, LEED AP, EU licensed architect

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2009/10/29 Jackson, Alan <ajackson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

You should look into Hevacomp which is being revamped for the US.

Alan Jackson, LEED AP
KlingStubbins

From: EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Josh K
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 12:00 PM
To: EnergyPlus_Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [EnergyPlus_Support] I need advices for choosing a GUI

Hello;

My feeling is that their currently is not a *perfect* GUI for EnergyPlus, especially if you're interested in interoperability (ie IFC, gbXML, etc). Designbuilder seems to be getting closest in this regard, but when I tested it a while ago I found the modelling interface to be a bit clumsy and restrictive. OpenStudio is not bad, but still needs a little work to be practical for every day use (for instance, to my knowledge there is currently no good way to specify a heat transfer surface's adjacency conditions). I currently use ECOTECT, which had a lot of promise when I started using it three years ago but has progressed exactly zero since then. I don't know much about the other system you mention.

To summarize: the three you mention will all probably work for you, and each have their own advantages and disadvantages. If you're specifically interested in IFC compatibility, I'm not sure about the status of DesignBuilder in this respect, but neither OpenStudio nor ECOTECT currently have this capability.

Josh

On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 7:14 AM, bcavallier <bruno.cavallier@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Hello,

I want to learn EnergyPlus but I need a GUI. As it is a new activity for me, I would like to find the better couple [E+/GUI] regarding my needs. I am mainly interested in building energy simulation, particularly on the topics of energy efficiency and the smart use of solar energy for solar passive designing. I saw a lot of software on the web : Google Sketch Up with Openstudio, Designbuilder (well described at Harvard), Ecotect...

How can I make the best choice? My choice will use the IFC standard. I saw another software : Digital Project of Gehry Technologies which is based on Catia (Dassault Systemes) that works with IFC standards, but has anyone made simulation with [E+/this soft]?

Could you give me advices, please...

Best regards

B.Cavallier

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Josh Kjenner, P.Eng., LEED AP
Manasc Isaac Architects Ltd.
10225 100 Avenue :: Edmonton, AB T5J 0A1
780.429.3977

--
Emanuele Naboni

per l'Italia: 346.4133337
from US: +39.346.4133337
skype: emanuelenaboni
www.emanuele-naboni.com
sustainable design consultant - consulente per la sostenibilita' di tecnologie, edifici e citta'
MArch, PhD Building Science, LEED AP, EU licensed architect

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