[Equest-users] SU for eQUEST

Heinrich IB Bauklima heinrich at ib-bauklima.de
Sat Jan 7 15:01:20 PST 2012
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Karen,
 
I am interested in your plugin.
I use eQUEST, energyplus, TRNSYS for building design.
So having one 3D-Builder for all 3 would be nice.
So what do you think about fee.
 
Regards Heinrich

  _____  

Von: Karen Walkerman [mailto:kwalkerman at gmail.com] 
Gesendet: Mittwoch, 4. Januar 2012 18:22
An: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
Betreff: Re: [Equest-users] How to import 3D model


I have also struggled with this issue.  In addition to setting up complex
geometry (pitched roofs, cathedral ceilings, floors that are partially
underground, etc) one of the other challenges of the eQuest workflow is the
requirement to re-define all custom windows if a zone line changes.  I
actually wrote a SketchUp plugin to help me get geometry from Sketchup into
eQuest (and EnergyPlus).  In eQuest, I also have the ability to set up space
types with global parameters so that all "office" spaces are named "office"
and their occupancy, lighting and equipment loads reference global
parameters named "office_occ", "office_lpd" and "office_equip".  This way
it's easy to make changes to large parts of the model when you're in
detailed edit mode. 

The Sketchup model is a dedicated model created for the energy model, but
the geometry is MUCH easier to create in SU than in eQuest, and my export
method creates a much cleaner inp file than the wizard.  If there are 5
floors, there is only one exterior wall construction type, and only one
office_occ schedule.

Sketchup geometry:  http://imgur.com/eQHWq 
eQuest geometry:  http://imgur.com/SU7oo 

If there is enough interest, I can clean up the script and make it available
for a fee.  I spent too much time creating it to make it available for free.

--
Karen


On Wed, Jan 4, 2012 at 12:14 PM, Neil Bulger <nbulger at integralgroup.com>
wrote:


Try looking at GreenspaceLIVE. This plugin for google sketchup for exporting
gbXML file formats. The light weight plugin can rapidly decrease the time to
draw geometry for use in multiple programs. I have exported files from here
to eQuest, EnergyPro, Trace and EnergyPlus.  The tool is not without its
flaws and we have been working to best understand the errors Autodesks GBS
throws at us with the translation process to inp.

 

The big draw of this workflow model is the ability to push geometry to
several tools and setup skill sets that can grow as energy modeling shifts
to energyplus. The tool was free for a while but now has a monthly fee. 30
day trials are available though.

 

http://openrevit.com/2011/08/green-spaces-live-free-gbxml-tool/

 

 

Neil Bulger 

________________________________

I N T E G R A L

                          GROUP

 

From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Wolfe,
Brian
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 8:19 AM
To: Matthew W. Higgins; Peter Hillermann; 'Sami, Vikram'; 'Adam Barker'; 'm
zahid'; 'e quest'


Subject: Re: [Equest-users] How to import 3D model



 

I appreciate the comments that everyone has posted concerning this model
importing issue.  There's  been some great discussions revolving around what
others have tried and the pitfalls that have been dealt with till now.  I
had no idea about the translation issues with .gbxml.  This is good to know,
as it always seems to pop up as the saving grace in model export/importing.
I do know from discussions with model developers that this issue is
understood.  But like what Patrick stated, it makes since that the different
software companies aren't going to want its programs to be compatible with
its competitors despite the demand that is obviously there.  (This thread is
a great example.)  

 

I know that this has been a beneficial discussion for me, and hopefully
beneficial to others.  I would appreciate any updates that teams run across
in this effort to bridge the gap between the design model and the energy
model.  It will only benefit our industry.   

 

Brian Wolfe, CDT, LEED AP BD+C 
Sustainable Design Coordinator 

HKS  |  Enhancing the Human Experience 

If you are sending large files, please use my
<https://hks.thruinc.net/drop_box.asp?toemail=bwolfe@hksinc.com> Thru
dropbox.
 <http://vcard.hksinc.com/?email=bwolfe@hksinc.com> vCard 

 

From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Matthew W.
Higgins
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 9:36 AM
To: Peter Hillermann; 'Sami, Vikram'; 'Adam Barker'; 'm zahid'; 'e quest'
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] How to import 3D model

 

Though I was hoping to hear differently when opening this thread, I have to
agree with the common opinion here, it's still easier to create a model in
eQuest. I've tried Ecotect and GreenBuilding Studio and the results have
been the same, too much information in the BIM model, and the import either
doesn't happen or does not look at all like the building in question.

 

One thing I have been trying, for very large projects, is to use Revit's
"Model Review" plug-in, in Revit MEP, to check the model before I export the
XML. This tool is often pretty helpful, detecting glass types and rooms and
other heat-transfer objects that will create errors. In a perfect world, the
architects we work with should run this before they send us the model.
because many of these errors have to do with the way they're creating the
architecture in Revit.

 

One caveat that I have is that large models often have a lot of errors after
"Model Review," and time remedying them often is longer than just creating
the model in eQuest. I too would like to hear how DrawBDL works, I've been
thinking about purchasing it for some time now.

 

Regards

 

Matthew Higgins, CEM, HBDP, LEED-AP (BD+C) 

Energy Project Manager

 

Bridgers & Paxton Consulting Engineers, Inc.

4600-C Montgomery Blvd. NE

Albuquerque, NM  87109

505-883-4111

505-888-1436  Fax

mwhiggins at bpce.com 

 

www.bpce.com

 

 

 

From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Peter
Hillermann
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 8:08 AM
To: 'Sami, Vikram'; 'Adam Barker'; 'm zahid'; 'e quest'
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] How to import 3D model

 

I like this conversation cause it is one that I have battled with for a long
time.

 

I'm going to respond on top of the previous comments in saying that it all
depends on your comfort with software and 3D modeling. As below I agree with
Vikram that at the moment it is easier to just model the project directly in
eQuest and not import at all. Let me however tell you that I have built
models in eQuest, Vasari, REVIT and Ecotect and they all work fine as long
as you understand the basic principles of computer modeling. Vasari is
definitely not ready for prime time however you can use it as your
integrated modeler between eQuest and REVIT.

 

The one main issue that I have run into and it is working as an architect
and coordinating with our engineer that I have found out that architectural
REVIT models with gbXML information looks totally different than the zoning
model for an HVAC layout used in eQuest. The ways these models are
constructed are total different even though the exterior skin might look the
same.

 

I've done this before but I have attached images of all the softwares to
show the model.

 

Just stick with the wizard for now unless the geometries are extremely
complex.

 

Thanks,

 

PETER HILLERMANN

 

peterh at westallarchitects.com

 

westall

architects

3404 pierce drive

chamblee, georgia 30341

 

o 770.458.4113

c 678.898.2936

 

westallarchitects.com

Description: Description: Description: e-signatureDescription: Description:
Description: USGBC-Logo

 

 

 

From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Sami,
Vikram
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 9:23 AM
To: Adam Barker; 'm zahid'; 'e quest'
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] How to import 3D model

 

// all things considered it seems that importing 3D geometry is not that big
of a timesaver compared to the design wizard//

 

I agree. The argument is that with importing from Revit there is already a
3d model available. The issue normally is that there is too much information
in the Revit model and most often it needs a LOT of clean up. Its
potentially easy if you are a person with really fantastic model management
skills (I haven't met one yet).

 

 

Vikram Sami, LEED AP BD+C

Sustainable Design Analyst

1315 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

t: 404-443-7462    f: 404.892.5823       e: vikram.sami at perkinswill.com
<http://www.perkinswill.com/> www.perkinswill.com

Perkins+Will.  Ideas + buildings that honor the broader goals of society

 

 

From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Adam Barker
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 9:13 AM
To: 'm zahid'; 'e quest'
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] How to import 3D model

 

One potential workflow is Revit > Ecotect > eQuest. 

 

If you google exporting Revit to Ecotect there are several videos / step by
step instructions to show you what you need to do to prepare the model. It
mainly has to do with how you define rooms, which become your thermal zones.
However, Ecotect to eQuest I haven't been able to do very successfully.
There seems to be some problems with exporting the geometry and zones
properly (which is really the major and some would say only benefit). The
only thing I was able to import were wall constructions, which I would
rather define in eQuest anyways. I haven't been able to find a thorough
explanation of what to do in Ecotect to prepare your geometry for eQuest.
FYI, Ecotect also exports to gbXML, Energy Plus, Radiance, etc.

 

Another workflow is Vasari > eQuest. Vasari is an, as of now, free Autodesk
program in trial stages that is basically Revit combined with some basic
DOE2 based energy modeling capability, really just for comparing different
scenarios in early design. In my opinion this software is not ready for
creating more complex models as I found creating the zones lacks the
flexibility most models would need - The software will automatically create
zones based on ASHRAE 90.1 perimeter set backs, 1 per floor, etc. Unless you
have an open office plan, this is probably not what you need. You can define
your zones manually, but not easily in my opinion.
http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/vasari/ - if you're interested.

 

I've tried to look into this a few times now, and all things considered it
seems that importing 3D geometry is not that big of a timesaver compared to
the design wizard, if at all. If anyone has experience with these workflows,
I would be grateful to hear it.

 

  _____  

From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org
[mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of m zahid
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 2:46 AM
To: e quest
Subject: [Equest-users] How to import 3D model

 

hi  
 
Happy New Year to All. Does anybody know the any software from which we can
import 3D model into eQuest.   

 

thanks 


zahid 

 


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