[Equest-users] eQUEST v3.65 build 7163 released Mar 18 2014

[Chris Balbach]

Hello fellow modelers!

As someone who is very familiar with OpenStudio ecosystem of tools (PSD is an NREL  licensed provider of OpenStudio training, support services and consulting),  I'd like to take a moment to elaborate on a few issues being discussed in this thread:


1)      OpenStudio / SketchUp  - Licensing issues

a.       The current  Trimble website for SketchUp (http://www.sketchup.com/download/all) still offer users a choice of either free (SketchUp Make 2014 or SketchUp v8.0) or pay (SketchUp Pro 2104 or SketchUp Pro 2013) versions for download.

b.      The licensing terms for SketchUp Make 2014 (the currently available free version) clearly list the software as for non-commercial use.

c.       The licensing terms for SketchUp 8.0 (released by Google in September 2010, prior to the Trimble acquisition) are much looser and allow for it to be used for commercial use.

d.      Versions of the OpenStudio SketchUp plugin will function correctly in ANY of the SketchUp versions mentioned above

e.      Trimble could remove the download link for SketchUp 8 (and stop supporting it) at any time.  Users will likely be able to find SketchUp 8 installation executables (from mirrored sites) for a long time.

f.        The OpenStudio roadmap (https://openstudio.nrel.gov/openstudio-roadmap) refers to an item for FY 2015 and beyond titled "Support for additional (simpler) geometry editing alternatives". This is clearly roadmap speak for development of an alternative (to SketchUp) geometry editor for OpenStudio.



2)      OpenStudio / SketchUp object models - integration



a.       The OpenStudio SketchUp Plugin is attempting to maintain two different object models simultaneously - i.e. in parallel. One object model (defined by objects contained in the .skp file) contains SketchUp objects such as dimension lines, views, patterns, surfaces, etc.  The 2nd object model (.osm) contains objects related to OpenStudio (OpenStudio surfaces, subsurfaces, surface properties, schedules, etc.).  The two models, while sharing a common workspace, are not linked in a way that they know that the other exists. In other words, they are independent from one another.

b.      With a little practice / training, it can be clear when working in the SketchUp workspace, which objects you are creating and when (you can easily go back and forth, but not so easily undo the creation of OS objects in SketchUp).

c.       When one is authoring OpenStudio models in SketchUp, they need to save the files (.skp and .osm) independently. Then, when opening/reloading - the users should open each independently and in reverse order, as well.



3)      OS SketchUp Plugin / OpenStudio Application linkages

a.       A 'loose' (one-way notification of changes) connection between the two applications exists. If a user has a file open in both SketchUp Plugin and  the OS Application open at the same time, this needs careful management.

                                                               i.      One can 'launch' the OpenStudio Application from within the SketchUp Plugin environment, thus having the same .osm file opened for parallel editing inside two different applications at the same time.

                                                             ii.      Changes / updates saved to a file while in the OpenStudio Application will notify the SketchUp plugin to be reloaded, thus resynchronizing what the user is seeing.

                                                            iii.      Changes / updates saved to a file in the SketchUp Plugin will not notify the OpenStudio Application to be reloaded, preventing synchronization and requiring a re-launch.



4)      OS - Lack of field descriptions  (user help)

a.       Many data object and properties in OpenStudio map 1:1 to a corresponding EnergyPlus object. In these cases, referring to the (*well documented) EnergyPlus Input/Output reference and/or Engineering reference can be very helpful. Our friends at Big Ladder software have converted these enormous pdf documents to searchable and hyperlinked text here: http://bigladdersoftware.com/epx/docs/. I have found this to be an extremely useful resource.


IN the next few weeks, PSD will be opening registration for a free OpenStudio webinar to demonstrate some of the new features available in OpenStudio V1.3. While still an interface that some might call 'rough on the edges' - it offers access to some innovative modeling capabilities that are difficult to find in other software tools. Look for the invite to learn more.

All the Best,

_Chris

Chris Balbach, PE, CEM, CMVP, BESA
Vice President of Research and Development
Performance Systems Development of NY, LLC
124 Brindley Street, Suite 4, Ithaca, NY 14850
http://www.psdconsulting.com
ph: (607)-327-1647







From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Charles Hoes
Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2014 12:42 PM
To: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] eQUEST v3.65 build 7163 released Mar 18 2014

Sketchup is still "free." (At least the version that I am using is.)  They now call it Sketchup Make and there is a free and a fee version. As an frontend to OpenStudio/EnergyPlus the free version is just fine.  All you really need (or want) to do is run the EnergyPlus plugin.  In fact, if you get fancy and attempt to save your file as a sketchup file you will run into lots of terrible problems.

A hint, if you intend to try OpenStudio/EnergyPlus for a spin using the Sketchup interface, DO NOT open, save or do anything else with the Sketchup "File" menus for those actions.  The OS plugin has buttons that take care of those functions.  I spent weeks building models that would look great and work, only to have them "explode" and fly into disjointed pieces at unexpected times.  That happened because I thought that the Sketchup file management tools worked - they don't.  Since I weaned myself off of accidentally using the "File" drop-down menu that problem went away.  It was a hard habit to get away from since we are so used to using those Windows menu items for "Save", "Open", "Save As" etc.

Another hint has to do with the way that the Sketchup plugin and OpenStudio share files.  They both use the same file  (*.osm) which is neat because they are always identical.  However, they don't always update the file before switching back and forth between the programs.  If you have both programs open at the same time (and you will do this) you need to remember to save the file before switching, and then to open the file again once in the other application.  The reason is that the applications (OpenStudio for example) don't actually use that file when running, they use a temporary files.  If you don't manually open the newly changed file from Sketchup OS will use that temporary file rather then the newly modified one.  The programmers included a built in a pop-up window to prompt for this when going from OS to Sketchup, but not the other way around.  You can use the OS button in Sketchup Plugin to launch the OS application, but if you already have OS open it creates another version.  Pretty soon you end up with lots of versions open - not a good thing.

Good luck with OS.  I find it to be powerful and useful, but extremely difficult to use because of a lack of descriptions of the various fields.  Unlike eQuest, the field names just sit there and dare you to figure out what they might be asking for - there are lots of information hidden away in the voluminous manuals and things - all written for use in the "native" EP+ front end.  You are left to guess at what might be appropriate in the OpenStudio application and plugin.  Another problem for me is their plethora of default values for lots of things that are named in ways that don't make any sense to me (they are just references to various sections of a bunch of standards).  I finally gave up using those and made my own constructions and things that I know about.  I just deleted all of their defaults and started from scratch.  It worked much better for me that way.

It is an interesting tool, but very much still a research project.

Charlie


On 3/29/2014 8:14 AM, Bruce Easterbrook wrote:
I'm a little disappointed to hear Sketchup is no longer free.  I was planning on doing some experimenting/learning with energy plus and from what I know sketchup was an integral part of the new graphical front end for that program.  It doesn't do the energy efficiency movement much good if the free analysis engines require $5,000 to $10,000 in associated software to use them.  This is fine for the power users because they have this software already and use it extensively throughout their normal business.  Google has made some other moves in this area by buying Nest and shutting down another free monitoring/control system they had in their stable.  It does make it tough for the little guy to need a $4,000 AutoCad seat to get a basic 2D DWG footprint to start an eQuest analysis.  Then M$ comes along with a new OS and with a little collusion your $4,000 program is obsolete.  Luckily DWG is no longer proprietary.  DraftSight is a free 2D DWG program released by Dassault.  Now they aren't entirely benevolent either as it is a lead in to their SolidWorks 3D but don't look a gift horse in the mouth.  It is great, stable and supported with free updates.  There is a version that runs on Linux.  It will give you a free DWG footprint to get started in the eQuest wizards and keep you out of the proprietary software wars.
I suppose I should conclude this with 4 pages of legal boilerplate identifying all the trademarks mentioned, legal disclaimers, economic disclaimers, etc, etc, etc.  That stuff makes my head hurt.  I need to get back to engineering and trying to make our planet a safer, better place.  So basically, a free tip in the running battle of conflicting business models.  BTW support ends for XP April 8, 2014.
Bruce Easterbrook P.Eng.
Abode Engineering
On 28/03/2014 2:44 PM, Chris Baker wrote:
I have not used equest until about 2 weeks ago but I've experimented with some of the other platforms and equest is by far the most reasonable to work with.

The older release of version 3.65 was a little buggy but those have since been worked out from what I've seen so far.

But I will say that it depends on what your existing design files are (Autocad or Revit).

If you have your project already drawn up in revit there is a revit add-on that  you can install for energy plus that will recognize windows, zones, building shell, etc.. (you have to specify each with the add-on).   You then export a file to energy plus and continue the energy modeling process.

There is also an add-on for "Sketchup" that does the same thing.  If you already have a 3d model in revit, sketchup is unnecessary.  If you have a 3d model in Autocad, you can export that to sketchup, then use the sketchup add-on to specify the shell, zones, windows and doors, you would then use the add-on to create the file for energy plus.

Sketchup (which is by google) would require you to draw the building in 3d from scratch if you don't have a 3d model drawn yet.. I wasn't happy with that.

Plus, sketchup is no longer FREE as it was in the past.  The newest version of the Sketchup allows you to install and use the energy plus add-on.  However, Sketchup now has a brief trial period after which you are required to pay a few hundred dollars to purchase the software (which you would likely only use once for the purpose of exporting to energy plus).  I didn't like that either!

Thus, If you have a 3d model or BIM drawn up in Autocad, energy plus is probably the easiest way to go.  Otherwise, eQuest is probably the best alternative.

eQuest is very straightforward and easy to use.  It does have its quirks!  But any issues I've had were quickly resolved through this usergroup.  And this is my first time doing the energy modeling.

Chris Baker
CCI CAD Drafter
Fort Wainwright, Alaska

From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org<mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org> [mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Demba Ndiaye
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 2:42 PM
To: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org<mailto:equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org>; Building Sim Forum
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] eQUEST v3.65 build 7163 released Mar 18 2014

Our team has so far resisted to make the switch to the new version eQuest 3.65.

For those experiencing this new version, do you think that it is sturdy and stable enough? Any irritating issue you see?

Thanks,

Demba Ndiaye |  Senior Energy Analyst/Mechanical Engineer
demba.ndiaye at setty.com<mailto:sierra.nguyen at setty.com>
Voice: 703-691-2115

From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org<mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org> [mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Brian Fountain
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2014 11:42 AM
To: equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org<mailto:equest-users at lists.onebuilding.org>
Subject: [Equest-users] eQUEST v3.65 build 7163 released Mar 18 2014 - fixes hourly report viewer

I was visiting doe2.com this morning (as you do from time to time -- you know) and found that there was a relatively recent release of a new v 3.65 build.  From the "what's new" document:

eQUEST v3.65
build 7163 - public release ~ 18 March 2014 - w/ DOE-2.2 v48r
Fixes:
* Fixed issues with the simulation detailed results viewer application (D2SimViewer.exe) that
prevented the viewing of hourly results in some instances (all appeared as zero values) when
the correct results were located on the simulation output file (the .sim file).
* Fixed issues with the installation procedure sometimes failing in cases where the installation is
directed to a drive mounted from a network location.

Since I just sent this to the whole mailing list, you may wish to wait for a few days before downloading the new build.  I don't want to cause an unexpected flood of download requests on the doe2.com site.

If others notice a new eQUEST release, please post a note here.  I tend to miss them.

Cheers,
Brian

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