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Best practices for tracing over CAD file

asked 2020-12-07 19:31:45 -0500

kwchia's avatar

updated 2020-12-15 10:56:27 -0500

Hello, I am new to Openstudio and would appreciate advice for building models from CAD floorplans.

Currently, I have imported a CAD (dwg) floor plan into Sketchup. I am now tracing over it and will then use the Openstudio plugin to "create spaces from diagram".

When drawing the spaces, is there a certain convention to follow with regards to including walls with certain rooms (should I be drawing down the center of a wall so that it is shared between adjacent rooms? Also, there are empty spaces along the main hallway. Should those just be included with the hallway?

Here is a screenshot: image descriptionhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/2opad1nVULP...

thanks very much for any advice!

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personally, I've always preferred to trace in AutoCAD using snap to grid with the grid set to 1' for walls, and something smaller (3" or so) for windows. then importing the resultant lines into Sketchup. i also always copy one floor to the next and then change it as necessary so that any walls that can line up do so perfectly. this approach seems to minimize surfaces and leads to the fewest issues down the road. there is an extension i use (not sure what its called) to add surfaces to all the lines in Sktechup.

WJGSON's avatar WJGSON  ( 2020-12-14 17:10:16 -0500 )edit

thanks for the tip!

kwchia's avatar kwchia  ( 2020-12-22 15:10:53 -0500 )edit

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answered 2020-12-14 16:50:34 -0500

Please see here from Tips and Tricks for Using EnergyPlus.

I suggest to use external dimensions, in order to take into account a sort of thermal bridging effect.

About empty spaces along the main hallway it up to the degree of accuracy you want to pursue. Basically you can put them a half in a zone and a half in the other (or the while in the hallway if not conditioned)

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Thanks for the tip!

kwchia's avatar kwchia  ( 2020-12-22 15:11:14 -0500 )edit

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Asked: 2020-12-07 19:31:45 -0500

Seen: 581 times

Last updated: Dec 14 '20