|
Folder |
Description |
|
|
.dsb |
Any local folder(DesignBuilder Data folder is default)
Important: dsb files should only be loaded from folders on the local machine as loading/saving on network drives can cause problems. |
DesignBuilder model description file. Note that dsb files are already compressed so don't need to be 'zipped' before sending in emails. |
|
.ddf |
|
DesignBuilder exported component/template data |
|
.dat |
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|
.lic |
Any (DesignBuilder Data folder is default) |
DesignBuilder Licence file for extended evaluation, activating licences when Internet access is not available or for training. |
|
.stat |
EnergyPlus hourly weather data statistics file used by DesignBuilder to automatically load location and weather statistics to the Hourly weather data dialog when the epw file is selected. stat files are supplied with DesignBuilder and are automatically generated by the Hourly weather data translation process when creating custom weather data. |
|
|
.epw |
Weather data folder |
EnergyPlus hourly weather data. a database of hourly weather data is supplied by automatic download or you can create your own hourly weather data. |
|
Compact.idf |
EnergyPlus folder |
Compact.idf is generated when using Compact HVAC. It is the full input data with HVAC in compact form, i.e. prior to being expanded into detailed form. |
|
Expanded.idf |
EnergyPlus folder |
Expanded.idf is generated when using Compact HVAC. It is the full input data with HVAC in expanded form, i.e. after being expanded into detailed form. It is copied |
|
ip.idf |
EnergyPlus folder |
The EnergyPlus input file when using DOE version in EP-Launch - it is necessary because EP-Launch cannot accept in.idf as an input filename. You can make minor changes to ip.idf in EP-Launch and see the effects in the DB results. |
|
in.idf |
EnergyPlus folder |
Temporary file generated by DesignBuilder used as input to EnergyPlus - this file is overwritten before each simulation. Note when using DOE version in EP-Launch, in.idf is generated by EP-Launch. |
|
EnergyPlus folder |
EnergyPlus data definition dictionary (see EnergyPlus documentation for information on this). |
|
|
EnergyPlus folder |
||
|
EnergyPlus folder |
Standard eso Output File - contains detailed results to be read in by DesignBuilder. This file can also be read by the Results Viewer. |
|
|
EnergyPlus folder |
||
|
EnergyPlus folder |
Report Variable Data Dictionary - list all possible EnergyPlus output reports for a particular idf input file. |
|
|
Eplusout.bnd |
EnergyPlus folder |
HVAC layout summary file - shows details about the branches, nodes, and other elements of the flow connections. It is intended for use in debugging potential problems and supports the EnergyPlus diagramming tool. |
|
EnergyPlus folder |
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|
EnergyPlus folder |
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|
EnergyPlus folder |
A one line summary of success or failure used by DesignBuilder to indicate whether the simulation was successful or not. |
|
|
EnergyPlus folder |
From Debug Output object – may be useful to support to help track down problems. |
|
| EPlusmap.csv | EnergyPlus folder | For zones simulated with daylighting controls, an illuminance map will be generated with a user defined grid (max 10 x 10) of daylighting reference points. The resulting map is output as a comma delimited text file that can be imported into a spreadsheet program for rapid visualization of the daylighting illuminance patterns in a zone. |
|
EnergyPlus folder |
Not directly from EnergyPlus - produced by EnergyPlus utility program that reads the .eso file and produces output files for spreadsheet programs. |
Compact HVAC file translation process
When using Compact HVAC, the EnergyPlus input file generation process is as follows:
All above files are stored in the EnergyPlus folder.
|
Folder |
Use |
|
|
DesignBuilder Data |
XP: My Documents\DesignBuilder Data
Vista/7/8: Documents\DesignBuilder Data |
Default location for storing DesignBuilder dsb data files. |
|
DesignBuilder Data\Backup |
XP: My Documents\DesignBuilder Data\Backup
Vista/7/8: Documents\DesignBuilder Data |
Default location for DesignBuilder automatic backup files and file copies made when opening existing files. |
|
EnergyPlus |
XP: C:\Documents and Settings\User\LocalSettings\Application Data\DesignBuilder\EnergyPlus
Vista/7/8: C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\DesignBuilder\EnergyPlus |
Storing files related to EnergyPlus simulations. |
|
Radiance |
XP: C:\Documents and Settings\User\LocalSettings\Application Data\DesignBuilder\Radiance
Vista/7/8: C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\DesignBuilder\Radiance |
Storing files related to Radiance simulations. |
|
Library data |
XP: C:\Documents and Settings\User\LocalSettings\Application Data\DesignBuilder\Data
Vista/7/8 C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\DesignBuilder |
Library data and .dat files currently being used by DesignBuilder |
|
Diagnostic files folder |
XP: C:\Documents and Settings\User\LocalSettings\Application Data\DesignBuilder
Vista/7/8: C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\DesignBuilder
|
|
|
Template projects |
XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\DesignBuilder\Templates Vista/7/8:
Vista/7/8: C:\ProgramData\DesignBuilder\Templates |
DesignBuilder dsb files stored in this folder can be used as templates for future models. Click on the Templates tab on the Create New Site dialog for a list of available template files. |
|
Weather data |
XP: C:\Documents and Settings\User\LocalSettings\Application Data\DesignBuilder\Weather Data
Vista/7/8: C:\ProgramData\DesignBuilder\Weather Data |
EnergyPlus hourly weather data is stored in this folder. The data may have been automatically downloaded from the DesignBuilder website or it can be added manually. |
* The actual names of the folders on a particular computer will depend on the language setting and on your Windows user name. The above locations assume English as the language and are given for Windows XP operating system (XP) and for Windows Vista and Windows (Vista/7/8). The Windows user name 'User' is used as an example.
Tip: the above folders can most easily be accessed from the File > Folders menu group of commands.