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Script/automation to add windows [closed]

asked 2016-04-12 02:21:37 -0500

FSilenzi's avatar

updated 2017-08-05 08:00:09 -0500

I need to add a lot of windows to model a building, and I tryed to add them manually in Sketchup. For the southern facade there was no problem, I could freely draw, copy and then project lots of windows at a time. For the rear facade I encountered several problems. First, when I drew and copy my windows the "project loose geometry" simply failed, deleting the windows or just projecting one of the 4 surface line. I decided then to draw them manually 1 by 1 and to project them in small groups. Apparently this worked most of the times, but still I could not draw any windows on certain surfaces.

Frustrated by many unsuccessful tries, I decided to resort to the WWR script built in in Sketchup. This allowed me to overcome the problem, but in this way I totally neglected the presence of a portion of wall between the windows, as well I reduced the total amount of windows metallic framework and thus the infiltration. So my question is, does a script exist to automatically add windows (just as the classic WWR script) in "rows" but keeping them divided into singular elements and not merging them into a single big "glass stripe"?

edit: I have forgot to mention that I followed the best practices illustrated here.

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Closed for the following reason the question is answered, right answer was accepted by FSilenzi
close date 2016-04-12 09:28:39.812091

Comments

Just an aside questions, and your surfaces perfectly planar on the rear facade?

(Please tag your question with 'openstudio' and in the future refrain from using greetings per our convention)

Julien Marrec's avatar Julien Marrec  ( 2016-04-12 07:13:11 -0500 )edit

I created them from autocad layers, using the "create space from diagram" function, so I am pretty sure they are perpendicular with respect to horizontal plane. I have also checked them to be sure that the angle is 90°, which is. So there is no reason for them not be planar with the windows I have drew.

FSilenzi's avatar FSilenzi  ( 2016-04-12 07:21:27 -0500 )edit

I usually redraw on top of autocad layers, I'm really paranoid with geometry (ran in too many bugs that were super time consuming down the road that now I'm just extra careful)

Julien Marrec's avatar Julien Marrec  ( 2016-04-12 07:23:38 -0500 )edit

I did this too, I have used the layer as base to draw from scratch the geometries, using two different sketchup istances.

FSilenzi's avatar FSilenzi  ( 2016-04-12 07:43:01 -0500 )edit

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answered 2016-04-12 07:20:26 -0500

The Building Science Group at University of Maryland has developed such a measure. The measure can be found here, and a description can be found here. Note: it will only work for vertical surfaces.

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This is very nice to hear. I will try this measure asap.

FSilenzi's avatar FSilenzi  ( 2016-04-12 07:43:56 -0500 )edit

Uhm, I just figured I have no clue on how to add this measure to my library. Is there a guide I can follow?

FSilenzi's avatar FSilenzi  ( 2016-04-12 08:21:43 -0500 )edit
1

Probably easiest is to create a new measure (from the 'Measures' tab in the app, click the button on the lower right to 'Create a measure from template and add to My Measures'), name the new measure "WWR Script Modified" and click 'Create New Measure and Open for Editing'. Then replace the contents of measure.rb with all the code in SetIndividualWindows.rb. Save, and the measure should be available in your library to use in the model.

ericringold's avatar ericringold  ( 2016-04-12 08:35:33 -0500 )edit

This is a follow-up question and it probably shouldn't be in a comment but I am wondering if there is a way to download the script. I have been selecting all the text then copying and pasting into a new measure document. It would be convenient to press a download button but I don't see one on the page?

Chris Jones's avatar Chris Jones  ( 2016-04-14 12:28:36 -0500 )edit

@Chris Jones you can click the 'Raw' link, and then right click and 'Save As' to save the text file (note: I'm using Chrome, might be different for other browsers). Otherwise you can navigate to the repository root and download the whole thing as a zip.

ericringold's avatar ericringold  ( 2016-04-14 12:36:01 -0500 )edit

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Asked: 2016-04-12 02:21:37 -0500

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Last updated: Apr 12 '16