Openstudio plugin in sketchup changes zone coordinates when exported to energyplus IDF format

asked 2024-03-01 04:15:14 -0600

updated 2024-10-18 11:50:36 -0600

Hello

I've started to use sketchup with Openstudio plugin in order to create geometry for a building which I would like to simulate in EnergyPlus. When I export geometry with two thermal zones to IDF, there does not seem to be any issue at first glance. Once I however check IDF geometry either using Python module Geomeppy or using online Spider idf viewer, zones seem to completely disrupted. For example when I make a model of 2 story building with two identical zones on top of each other, after export to IDF it becomes only one story building despite making sure that 2 separate thermal zones are created - one for each space.

Weird thing is that if I open same IDF in Openstudio app, geometry is without any problems and looks exactly like in SketchUp.

Is there a way to export model from sketchup to IDF without compromising model geometry? It is possible that this question has been asked before, unfortunately I could not find similar question.

Thanks a lot

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Comments

@harnimic, when you open both your original OSM file and the exported IDF file with a text editor, are you noting that surface vertices (e.g. floors/ceilings) don't match? You should check this first. If they match, then the issue lies elsewhere (e.g. space-specific XYZ origin, version incompatibility). The best would be to share the .OSM file (e.g. via an accessible Google Drive)?

Denis Bourgeois's avatar Denis Bourgeois  ( 2024-03-02 15:07:05 -0600 )edit

@Denis Bourgeois, comparing osm and idf files in text editor shows that coordinates are same for both types. I guess there might be some error with export to osm/idf. Btw I've checked compatibility and it should not be an issue in my case. Likewise spaces also appear to have same origin in both idf and osm. Essentially what always seem to happen is that two story building is converted into one story.

Here is a link to an example of two story building - I hope it's gonna work: https://drive.google.com/drive/folder...

harnimic's avatar harnimic  ( 2024-03-03 06:28:46 -0600 )edit

Ok, I have managed to solve the problem. When creating zones in sketchup, it is necessary to create every single zone from same origin. This step was not clear to me since many video tutorials on youtube show that you can easily copy zones and move them wherever you want - thus modifying their origin and displacing actual x,y,z coordinates. Once I made sure that every new zone starts at same origin, export is not an issue any more.

harnimic's avatar harnimic  ( 2024-03-05 12:24:12 -0600 )edit

I don't have OpenStudio v1.14.0 and/or compatible SketchUp versions, but could open the shared OSM file with:

  • OpenStudio App v2.9.1
  • OpenStudio App v1.6.0
  • SketchUp Plugin v1.6.0

Steps:

  • open the shared OSM file with all 3 of the above ... updates the OSM to either v2.9.1 or v3.6.1
  • export to IDF (either E+ v9.2 or v23.1)
  • import the generated IDF with compatible App/Plugin above

Can't reproduce your issue - I see the same 2-storied model in all cases. BTW, I could not import the shared v8.6 IDF with any of the applications (File is not valid to draft strictness error).

Denis Bourgeois's avatar Denis Bourgeois  ( 2024-03-05 12:26:35 -0600 )edit
1

@harnimic it sounds like you might be using Relativecoordinates in the OpenStudio plugin, but geomeppy and/or spider IDF viewer assume World coordinates instead.

There is a 3rd way to view IDF geometry with another SketchUp plugin -- Euclid. That will allow you to apply Relative coordinates as well.

Aaron Boranian's avatar Aaron Boranian  ( 2024-03-06 09:12:31 -0600 )edit