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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Belgium
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    Free Software, Bèta vers.: Designbuilder



    Dear Peter

    DesignBuilder version 0.6 beta was released October 22 and can be downloaded
    at no cost from:

    http://www.designbuilder.co.uk/downloads

    This new beta release is a significant improvement on previous publicly
    available versions (0.3.x and 0.4.10) and is much closer in functionality
    and appearance to the first production release which will be ready towards
    the end of the year or early next year.

    We would appreciate your help in testing DesignBuilder. In particular we
    need to know:

    - Does it meet your modelling needs (now and with proposed improvements)
    - Are there any errors?
    - What can we do to make it better/easier to use?

    Further information

    DesignBuilder 0.6 provides an easy-to-use yet powerful interface to most of
    the EnergyPlus envelope, solar, ventilation and daylighting capabilities as
    well as heating and cooling load modelling. It uses the latest EnergyPlus
    version 1.2.1 simulation engine to generate its data. The software comes
    with summer and winter design data for over 1400 locations and access to
    over 500 hourly simulation weather files.

    New Features in version 0.6:

    * Based on EnergyPlus version 1.2.1 and provides faster simulations because:
    - Surfaces with more than 4 sides are modelled without triangulation
    - Faster solar initialisation
    - Faster COMIS solution
    * External and internal surface editing - user definable windows, doors,
    vents and holes
    * Undo/redo for geometric operations
    * Sloping walls
    * More control options for COMIS natural ventilation modelling
    * Save components to library
    * Improved stability

    A full list of features can be found at:

    http://www.designbuilder.co.uk/products/Features.htm

    To be included before version 1:

    * Tools for block geometry editing
    * Undo/redo of model attributes
    * Design bookmarks to allow comparison of design options
    * Report generation and printing
    * Online Help
    * UK Part L2 building regulations compliance checking

    Features in the pipeline (probably for version 1.1)...

    * More HVAC systems
    * CAD interface (DXF import,...)
    * Visualisation walk-through and animated output

    And looking further ahead, major features planned (probably for version
    2.0)...

    * CFD simulation
    * Interface to a wider range of EnergyPlus HVAC systems
    * Admittance calculation method
    * High speed simulation

    I will keep you updated with information on any significant new
    developments/releases and in the meantime hope that you find DesignBuilder
    useful and that you can find time to help us improve it.

    Thanks
    Andy Tindale
    DesignBuilder Support

    PS The DesignBuilder version 1 EnergyPlus module will cost approximately 800
    USD for a single seat license. This includes e-mail support and software
    updates for versions 1.x.

    Please send your questions/comments to support@designbuilder.co.uk

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    --

    You have received this e-mail because you either expressed an interest in
    testing DesignBuilder or because you downloaded a beta test version from the
    web site. If you do not want to continue receiving e-mails during the beta
    test period, please let us know by sending an e-mail to:

    mailto:unsubscribebeta@designbuilder.co.uk


    It's better to keep your mouth shut and give the impression that you're stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Fife, Scotland.
    Age
    65
    Posts
    1,199
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    Re: Free Software, Bèta vers.: Designbuilder

    thanks Peter, just downloaded it, will have a go later
    <img src=http://www.refrigeration-engineer.com/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=1&dateline=1296159097 border=0 alt= />

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    In a 2 bedroom unit. Why's That? :)
    Posts
    314
    Rep Power
    19

    Re: Free Software, Bèta vers.: Designbuilder

    Hi guys,

    Came across this web site

    http://www.arch.hku.hk/research/BEER...et%20Resources

    If you guys think it has value, can you post it in the appropriate area?


    Cheers fellas




    dogma

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