Importing something usable by IES from AutoCAD/SketchUP

[Keene Anderson]

Hi all,

I need help and although I was hesitant to post to a forum that I don't contribute to, I am in desperate need. My clients project sits dormant because of our issue.

We have been working to attempt to get a workable model to a colleague to perform the IES analysis and are extremely frustrated at our inability.

Not being a user of IES I don't know what I can do to help my colleague and he doesn't understand why we cannot import the file either. We have tried using SketchUP and AutoCAD but have had no luck (trying it 56 different times and ways) even though I have followed the IES technical support 0029446 .

Any advice? Questions I need to ask? Procedures I can follow?

Thanks greatly for any info you may have.

Keene
keene@greenplan.ca

[PCully]

Hi,

You don't say if it's a brick wall such as an error or if the geometry export to VE just isn't good enough.

If it's the geometry then you should read our guidance papers (there is one for SketchUp and one for Revit but if you are really eager then read both to understand how these models work)

http://www.iesve.com/support/knowledgebase/faq/3051
http://www.iesve.com/support/knowledgebase/faq/3050

In terms of CAD then I guess you are using DXF, you will find some helpful hints in the Modelbuilder section of the user guides http://www.iesve.com/support/userguides

Finally, if using the plug-ins then you could use our free VE-Ware tool to see the geometry that is coming through to VE. It gives you ability to assess the quality of the geometry without needing any licences so would probably improve the workflow with your colleagues and better troubleshoot any challenges.

Phil

[Complex Potential]

Hello Keene

It's nice to be able to put a face to the person I'm talking to for a change (I took the liberty of checking out your company's website).

I have to admit to being one of the old school who build all geometry from scratch in IES since it is quite rare that I get a sketchup model from an architect that is compatible for import (they generally have to be simplified and follow some specific rules). On the odd occasion I have gone with imports I have spent as much time ironing out the kinks as I it would have taken me to build myself.

However, if importing is your only option then installing the IES Sketchup Plugin is your first step and then ensuring that all of the thermal zones are defined should be next before you attempt an import.

That said, most of your projects appear to be large domestic rather than commercial buildings (and some very nice looking buildings they are). For me, I'd expect to spend no more than a day building geometry for a large scale domestic model and perhaps up to 3 days for a medium sized (~5000m2) commerial scale building model. If your colleague is an experienced IES user then I would be tempted to cut your losses and get him to just build from scratch because this should also result in a geometry which is exactly right for IES and therefore more robust.

CP

[Keene Anderson]

Hey guys,

Thank you very much for your input. With your help, we have chosen to have the colleague do the IES modelling himself. With the issues we were having, we couldn't clearly see the solution. We had things that we tried as well as the further instruction from you at the forum but we would have had to continue to 'try' with the end result being that the model would probably need to have the kinks ironed out anyways. It will take more time for him to do the initial modelling but I think it will save us time in the end.

For future projects that aren't as complicated or on the current time crunch, I will definitely be utilizing this site and the links that you shared and get to better understand IES. In addition, the BC Building Code is implementing Energy Efficiency aspects so further understanding going into the future is crucial for me to stay relevant in today's design.

As a forum user I greatly appreciate the response even though I haven't contributed.
I will look to 'Pay it Forward' to first time posters on the forums that I am able to contribute to.

Regards,
Keene Anderson

[RossThompson87]

Hi,

I initially used ModelIT for a very long time, but eventually moved to sketch-up after playing with it at uni.

At first I found none of my geometry would export, but with patience and practice you can get to a level of exporting models almost first time.

Some of the key things to remember are:

The orientation of faces in SketchUp is key. With the default material you need your bright white side facing outwards at all times.

Don't touch the edge of room with a window or opening it needs to be an island in the face.

Keep it simple and break the model down into lots of groups. I keep the complete model in a separate file and then copy a few groups at a time into a blank skp file and export them. The geometry can then be reassembled in IES by exporting and importing GEM files. Otherwise the export will just hang for ages.

Stay away from thick walls - this is much harder to get to work.

You could ask IES for an example SketchUp model that works and study the features they use.

One you master SketchUp to IES you will have more flexibility as you can run scripts - this can take the repetitive and boring elements out of your work. Even if you can't program much yourself other people on SketchUp forums are very generous when it comes to helping you.


I hope this helps

Ross

[Complex Potential]

I agree that using sketchup to build from scratch in place of ModelIT is a powerful option but that's different to importing architectural sketchup models "raw" which can be very messy.

I may have to start playing with sketchup again when I get a chance.