IES-VE User Forum

Is there a way to delete more than 1 contruction at a time, cos I have over 600 as it is very time consuming

Hi,

Sorry there is no way to multi-select Constructions for deletion or even to purge the Constructions Database (some of the improvements we have requested from development). The CDB is currently getting a bit of an overhaul so we should see this kind of basic functionality in the next big VE release (expected start of 2012).

In the meantime you have two options, both with their own pros and cons;
1. Export the geometry as a .gem file from ModelIt then import to a clean new project, it will have all the basic defaults applied but you'd have to redo thermal templates, systems any inputs you've already set up so may end up being more work for you

2. Edit the project Constructions files in notepad to delete the extra Constructions - this is a bit more risky
In your project >> apache folder you will find a file with the extension .dfa. This holds the project Constructions data, have a look at the structure of the file to see where the section of reach Construction starts and ends and then you can delete in a block - you have to be careful not to delete any that are assigned to your model (if you're doing Compliance work then leave the NCM ones alone too).
This is the fastest way but most risky, take a backup of your full project before you start.

Hope one of these methods works for you.

Phil

Phil

I've imported a Revit model into IES and it has uploaded 100s of NCM templates which is really slowing things down. On the plus side it ha simported all of the constructions I need. Is there a way of adjusting a dfa file to remove some of the templates in my project as it I'm having to remove each one manually?

The dfa file doesn't hold templates, .mtd file does but I don't think it's as easily modifiable. Use the tabular BTM to delete the templates you don't want quickly and easily.

You can't delete NCM Templates manually but if they are not assigned in the model or referenced in thermal templates then they will be automatically removed from the project. that's how to tackle this project, delete the plug-in thermal templates you aren't using and the AVE will tidy up the NCM for you.

Phil

Hi Phil,

about the .dfa file, is it possible to edit it to add, for example, a new wall definition or a whole construction set?

you could as long as you stick to the format of the file so the VE can read it, make sure you reference materials that are properly defined in your materials database and give the new Constrcution a new unique ID.

Having said all that I really don't recommend it unless you are at last resort trying to fix some corruption and the Tech Support team won't support you with troubleshooting a model should you do any real damage.

If you are modifying any project files outside the VE interface then please be sure to take a copy and backup of the project first so you can easily revert back.

In my experience if you do introduce any problems to your project, two quick ways to check are

1. Close the project and reopen it - if anything is missing then VE will inform you and try to fix it. For example if a system is missing it will be highlighted to you and then a replacement system assigned in its place

2. Run ApacheSim, the most stringent checks and validations in the VE are performed by Apache (obviously things need to be tight for a sim to run properly) so if anything is wrong it will tell you. Sometimes the errors it throws up aren't easiest to interpret (we're working on making this better) but at least you know if it worked before you went messing up project files and now it doesn't it is likely one of the changes you made introduced a problem

Phil