## File Management and Errors Modeling Tools ## Viewing Model Data Information Tool Object Information Window Outliner (Native SketchUp Feature) Surface Search (New) Set Default EnergyPlus Constructions (New) ## Running Simulations/Help Rendering Options OpenStudio Menu Items ### Information Tool The Information Tool command activates a cursor-like tool that hovers over information about the face. A tooltip momentarily shows the EnergyPlus object text for that face. The status bar shows the position of the cursor in world coordinates. The following screenshot shows the information tool being used on a base surface of a zone. The data tool will work on all surfaces and subsurfaces, but will not identify data for objects such as Daylighting Controls or Illuminance Maps. You can see the same information for these by opening the Object Information Dialog box while the object is selected. (See the next subject for a screenshot of this.) (Credit: David Goldwasser/NREL) Back to Top ### Object Information Window The Object Information command displays a dialog window with information about the currently selected EnergyPlus object. The content of this dialog changes based on the type of object selected. Select a zone group to see object information about the zone. Double click on a zone group for editing and select a face to see object information about that heat transfer surface. Open a shading group for editing and select a face to see object information about that detached shading surface. With no selection, you see object information about the Building object. Changing selections with the Object Information dialog open will dynamically update the contents with information about the new selection. The contents of the Object Information dialog window are divided into three sections: Object Inputs, Object Summary, and Object Text. The fields in the object inputs section enable you to directly change the fields of the corresponding EnergyPlus input object. The list of fields depends on the type of object you select. For example, for a typical BuildingSurface:Detailed object you can easily assign a new name, set the surface type, set the construction, set the boundary conditions, etc. All other objects that reference that object will update automatically. Your changes are not committed until you click on the dialog outside of the text field. Coordinates for surface vertices cannot be edited from this dialog. You must use the standard SketchUp tools to modify the geometry. The object summary section displays number of vertices, gross area, net area, percent glazing, etc. Like the input fields, the content of the summary depends on the type of object you select. The Object Text section displays the actual text of the input object as it appears in the EnergyPlus input file. You can select and copy the text, but you cannot edit it directly. Use the input fields in the Object Inputs section to make changes. All changes are made instantaneously and will show up immediately in the object text. Original comments and formatting of the input file are preserved. (Credit: David Goldwasser/NREL) Object Information Window while Zone is selected (Credit: David Goldwasser/NREL) Object Information Window while surface is selected (Credit: David Goldwasser/NREL) Object Information for Building (while nothing is selected) Back to Top ### Outliner (Native SketchUp Feature) The Outliner shows a hierarchy of all the top-level and nested components and groups in your model. You can filter what is shown, collapse or expand it, and make selections in the model by clicking on these objects. You can select objects that may be hard to otherwise select, such as a zone with no surfaces in it. It is also a powerful search tool on large projects with many zones. If you consistently name your zones, you can make better use of this. (Credit: David Goldwasser/NREL) Back to Top ### Surface Search (New) OpenStudio Surface Search tool picks up where the Outliner leaves off. This powerful surface search tool enables you to search most parameters of your surfaces. It selects and visually isolates the results by hiding all other surfaces. When you are finished, you can click "Unhide All" on the Surface Search dialog to unhide the rest of the surfaces. Before searching on a large IDF, you can close the Outliner and Object Information windows to expedite the surface matching. (Credit: David Goldwasser/NREL) See Searching Data in OpenStudio Models for a more extensive tutorial. Back to Top ### Set Default EnergyPlus Constructions (New) This powerful tool enables you set default constructions for different types of EnergyPlus surfaces. Default Constructions are used to set constructions on new geometry as it is drawn. (Credit: David Goldwasser/NREL) See Setting Default Constructions Preferences for a more extensive tutorial. Back to Top

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