[ECOTECT IS AN AUTODESK DESIGN ANALYSIS
SOFTWARE]
CONS:
- Exports directly to .rad
format or you can run
daylight simulations using
ecotect as a front-end to
Radiance
- Analysis grid imports
neatly back into Ecotect
- Imports/exports many
different formats
- It is more difficult to edit
geometry within Ecotect
- It isn’t updated and
maintained as regularly as
other software
- It isn’t free
PROS:
STEP 1:- Open in 3D view, and
check to make sure that
all rooms are fully closed
STEP 2:- Check that all Thermal
Properties of the materials
are defined and change
Analytical Surface
resolution to 3”
STEP 3:- Change Export
Complexity to at least
Complex with Shading
Surfaces and check that
Include Thermal
Properties is checked
- Export gbXML as
Analytical Surface
[FBX IS AN AUTODESK FORMAT THAT STORES ELEMENTS OF
A 3D SCENE]
CONS:
- It is a good option for
complete geometry
- Imports planes listed by
material, which are easy to
organize and apply
materials to.
- Geometry isn’t simplified; it
includes thicknesses and
detail that isn’t necessary
- Importing and back-end
calculations take more
processing power and time
- Window panes are
imported as two separate
planes and must be manually
edited
- Takes an extra step through
3ds Max
PROS:
EXPORT AS
FBX[DRAWING EXCHANGE FORMAT IS A CAD-BASED
GRAPHIC IMAGE FORMAT]
CONS:
- Can be imported within
ecotect or Sketchup Pro
(if exported as a 2010 or
earlier)
- Geometry is generally
complete
- Imports layers, which are
easy to organize and apply
materials to
- Geometry isn’t simplified; it
includes thicknesses and
detail that isn’t necessary.
- Importing and back-end
calculations take more
processing power and time.
- Window panes are
imported as two separate
planes and must be manually
edited.
PROS:
EXPORT AS
DXF[AN EXPORT FORMAT USED FOR ENERGY MODELING IN
GREEN BUILDING STUDIO. IT SIMPLIFIES GEOMETRY
INTO ROOMS OR SPACES FOR THERMAL MODELING.
CONSTRUCTIONS AND BASIC GEOMETRY ARE ALL
THAT IS INCLUDED]
CONS:
- Flattens wall thicknesses
and provides a clean,
simple model.
- Material properties are
also exported/imported
with geometry (with
Ecotect).
- If you’re able to use this
method, the back-end
clean up and calculations
are quick due to simplicity
of the model and the
inclusion of the materials.
- Sets model up for both
energy and daylight
analysis
- Requires changing coding in
Notepad ++.
- Misses random areas of
geometry in complex models
and models without fully
enclosed spaces.
- Results in gaps between
walls & floors/ceilings in large
models because maximum
resolution is 3”, which is a
sizable leak in a daylight
model.
- Takes more effort to
organize by component type
(wall, floor, ceiling, etc.)
because default is to organize
by room/space.
PROS:
EXPORT AS
GBXML
REVIT
ADD-IN’S
STEP 1:
EXPORT FROM
REVIT
STEP 4:
ANALYSIS
PREP
[CLOUD-BASED DAYLIGHT
SIMULATION TOOL WITHIN REVIT]
PROS: CONS:
- Analysis done within
Revit (no need to
export/import).
- Fast & easy.
- Caters toward
compliance with LEED
IEQc8.1.
- Costs money.
- Less accurate than
Radiance.
- Limited inputs: doesn’t
allow for complex inputs
such as complex material
& sky definitions.
- Limited outputs: doesn’t
have the capability to
simulate annual metrics.
REVIT
DAYLIGHT
ADD-IN’S
[AN AUTODESK CONCEPTUAL
MODELING & ANALYSIS TOOL]
PROS: CONS:
- Fast & easy.
- Free beta version.
- Designed to be used in
larger-scaled building
mass and site-level,
typically during the
conceptual/schematic
design.
- Generated toward solar
radiation falling upon
building facades, not
necessarily on work planes
within the building
VASARI
[CLOUD-BASED AUTODESK
SOFTWARE THAT SIMULATES
WHOLE-BUILDING ENERGY
CONSUMPTION]
PROS: CONS:
- Works with Revit.
- Fast & easy.
- Only estimates potential
LEED Daylight credits
based on glazing factor
requirements
- Doesn’t actually run
daylight simulation
- Meant to be used as a
deciding factor on whether
or not to pursue LEED
IEQc8.1
GREEN
BUILDING
STUDIO[RADIANCE IS A SIMULATION ENGINE
THAT USES RAY-TRACING TO
PERFORM LIGHTING CALCULATIONS
WITHIN 3D GEOMETRY]
PROS: CONS:
-Numerous input (materials
definitions, sky definitions)
and output options
(point-in-time, annual
simulations, luminance
images), allowing for
advanced daylight analysis
- Capabilities allow for
greater accuracy
- May be used as a
back-end simulation
engine for other 3D
modeling software
- Requires additional time
and a greater knowledge
of text editing and
capabilities
REVIT
TORADIANCE
REVITEXPORTING
OPTIONS:
STEP 2:
IMPORT INTO A
TRANSFER
PROGRAM(SKETCHUP/ECOTECT)
STEP 3:
MODEL
PREPARATION &
CLEANUP
ELUMTOOLS
IMPORT INTO
SKETCHUP PRO/
OPENSTUDIO
IMPORT FROM
GBXML
STEP 1:
- The Open Studio plugin for
SketchUp must be installed
prior to import
- Import gbXMLSTEP 1:
- Only available in Pro or Pro
trial version of SketchUp
- Import DXF or DWG
IMPORT FROM
DXF DWGOR
IMPORT INTO
ECOTECT
IMPORT FROM
DXF
STEP 1:
- Change Encoding to
UTF-8 within Notepad ++
STEP 2:
- Open gbXML format within
Ecotect and move imported
items onto correct zones
within import window
STEP 1:
- Check the “Remove
Duplicate Faces” and “Auto
Merge Triangles” options,
everything else leave
unchecked
STEP 2:
- Change the units to “Meter
-> Millimeter” and select the
“Zone” button at the bottom
and choose “Zone by Item
Name”
IMPORT FROM
3DS MAX
STEP 2:
- Import the .3ds file into
Ecotect and move imported
items into correct zones
STEP 3:
- Check the “Remove
Duplicate Faces” and “Auto
Merge Triangles” options,
everything else leave
unchecked
- Change units to “Meter ->
Millimeter”
IMPORT FROM
GBXML
- Import FBX into 3ds Max
and export file as a .3dsSTEP 1:
STEP 1:
- Group by layer
geometry by material
properties (interior wall
IRC 70% or glass VLT is
65%)
STEP 2:
- Delete extra pane of
window if imported in as
a DXF or FBX (check that
glass is on separate layer
from frame)
STEP 3:
- Create new materials
and give unique names
STEP 4:
- Select all geometry on a
layer and apply materials
to the geometry using the
paint bucket tool; make
sure both sides of the
planes have same
material applied. Repeat
for each layer.
MODEL PREP/
CLEANUP IN
SKETCHUP
STEP 1:
- Check that components
are zoned by material
properties (interior wall
IRC 70% or glass VLT
65%)
STEP 2:
- Delete extra pane of
window if imported in as
a DXF or FBX (check that
glass is on separate layer
from frame)
STEP 3:
- Create new materials
and give unique names
STEP 4:
- Select objects on a
zone and apply desired
material to that zone;
repeat with each zone
MODEL PREP/
CLEANUP
IN ECOTECT
STEP 1:
STEP 2:
STEP 1:
- Set up analysis grid in
SketchUp and save as an
OSM
STEP 2:
- Run the ModelToRad.rb
conversion application to
convert the OSM to RAD
STEP 1:
- Export with unique
name as RAD
STEP 2:
- Skip the Wizard
- Select Final Render
under Output Options
and check “Save
separate zone files”
STEP 3:
- Check “Include Material
Definitions” and turn lights
off
STEP 4:
- Set Sky definition to “No
Sky” and uncheck RIF
File
ECOTECT
TO
RADIANCE
RDA
REVIT
REVIT
HOW GET FROM
DAYLIGHTING
TO
TO
CONVERSION:
PRESENTED BY: LAUREN HEMLEY
PROJECT SUPPORT: JACOB DUNN
RESEARCHED BY: LAUREN HEMLEY
GRAPHICS BY: CIERA SHAVER
ANALYSIS
REVIT
EXPORT
PROCESS
REVIT
TOOLS
[DraWinG IS A CAD-BASED 2-AND 3D STORING
BINARY FORMAT]
CONS:
- Can be imported within
Sketchup Pro.
- The best option for
complete geometry.
- Imports layers, which are
easy to organize and apply
materials to.
- Geometry isn’t simplified; it
includes thicknesses and
detail that isn’t necessary.
- Importing and back-end
calculations take more
processing power and time.
- Window panes are
imported as two separate
planes and must be manually
edited.
- Takes an extra step through
Sketchup and .obj format,
instead of going straight to
.rad from Ecotect.
PROS:EXPORT AS
DWG
SKETCH UP
TO OBJ
TO .RAD
SKETCHUP
TO
RADIANCE
STEP 2:- Check that the units are
set correctly for where
you intend to import
STEP 3:- Give glazing planes a
unique layer name and
export file
- Open in 3D view, and
export as a DWG
- Turn off or delete all
unnecessary elements
STEP 1:
STEP 2:- Export the file
- Turn off or delete all
unnecessary elements
and give glazing planes a
unique layer name
STEP 1:
[SKETCHUP IS A 3D MODELING PROGRAM AVAILABLE
AS A FREE BASIC DOWNLOAD OR A PRICED “PRO”
DOWNLOAD]
CONS:
- Easy to use, therefore
easy to make post-export
edits
- SketchUp is free,
although some imports
may require the Pro
version
- Exports as .obj, which
can be converted to .rad in
text mode
- Can import .gbXML into
OpenStudio
- Only the Pro version or Pro
trial allows for necessary
import/export capabilities.
- Cannot export .rad files
directly so you must convert
.obj to .rad later.
PROS:
STEP 1:- Open in 3D view, and
export as a DXF, turning
off or deleting all
unnecessary elements
- Check that the units are
set correctly for where
you intend do import
STEP 2:- Give glazing planes a
unique layer name
- Choose 2010 DXF file
type before exporting
WORKFLOW LEGEND:
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5
Revit .DWG `SketchUp .OBJ .RAD
Revit .gbXML O.S. Plugin .OBJ .RAD
Revit .gbXML O.S. Plugin
Revit .gbXML Ecotect .RAD
Revit .gbXML Ecotect
Revit .DXF SketchUp .OBJ .RAD
Revit .DXF Ecotect .RAD
Revit .FBX .3ds Max .Ecotect .RAD
Revit SketchUp Ecotect
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
ECOTECT
INTERNAL
ANALYSIS
MODEL PREP/
CLEANUP IN
OPENSTUDIO
STEP 1:
- Troubleshoot geometry
issues
STEP 2:
- Apply construction set,
with adjusted material
“visible absorptance”
calues (1/va=reflectance)
STEP 3:
- Hardcode individual
surfaces
STEP 4:
- Add illuminance sensors
and maps
OPENSTUDIO
INTERNAL
RADIANCE
ANALYSIS
OPENSTUDIO
TO .RAD - Repeat for each layer or
set of layers
- Within the console,
convert the .obj files into
.rad files
- Export layers one at a
time (or few at a time,
depending on the
complexity) by turning off
all layers except one
(roof, walls, ceiling, etc.)
- Export with a unique
name
IMPORT AS
AGI32
DWG
DXF
gbXML
DXF
IMPORT AS
IESVE
RADIANCE
Capabilities:
- Illuminance/luminance
analysis
- Perspective rendering
- Raytracing engine
- 3rd party visualization
- Extremely flexible
Capabilities:- Illuminance analysis
- Engine not accurate beyond
conceptual design
- Shading and window design
- Good visualization options
Capabilities:- Run annual simulation
- Visualization options in OpenStudio
- Annual metrics enabled
- Modifies electric lighting schedule
STEP 5:
RADIANCE
ANALYSIS
3RD PARTY
VISUALIZATION
SOFTWARE
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