Tutorials

DesignBuilder video tutorials are provided on demand to all registered DesignBuilder users free of charge. They mostly last about 10-20 minutes.

Tip: You will probably learn most effectively by "doing" rather than "watching" so make sure to try out the techniques shown in the tutorials while they are fresh in your mind before moving on to the next tutorial.

Getting Started

The Getting Started tutorials provide an overview of how to create DesignBuilder models and run simulations.

• Basics of creating a building model
• Basics of running simulations

Basic Geometry

The Basic Geometry series of tutorials explain how to create and modify the blocks used to define building geometry in DesignBuilder.

• Introduction to the DesignBuilder user interface
• Creating a model - adding buildings and blocks, drawing guides and snaps
• Adding, moving and cloning blocks, deleting objects, increment snap, check dimensions of existing objects
• Rotate, stretch, drag face and construction line tools
• Adding roofs basics: roof angle conventions, pitched and extruded roofs
  
• Cut block, use of protractor tool and outline blocks
• Zoning blocks by drawing partitions, zone types and zoning protocols
• Drawing holes, merging zones and creating an atrium
• Adding shading and adjacency modification using component blocks
• Drawing arcs, circular shapes and domes
• Importing 2-D floor plans from DXF and bitmaps to help draw blocks and partitions
• How to create a room in roof
• How to draw dormer windows
• How to model a smaller zone within a larger zone (e.g. an office in a warehouse)

Basic Model Data

The Basic Model Data tutorials show how to set up data on the Activity, Constructions, Openings, Lighting and HVAC model data tabs for EnergyPlus simulations.

• Overview of the model data tabs and of data inheritance
• Starting a new project, adding a building and use of learning mode
• Activity data
• Constructions data 1
• Constructions data 2
• Drawing windows, doors and sub-surfaces, editing openings at building level
• Openings model data
• Shading data
• Lighting and daylight control data
• HVAC data (heating, cooling, ventilation, DHW)
• Timing, schedules, profiles and holidays
• Hourly weather data

Calculations

The Calculations tutorials explain how to set up DesignBuilder EnergyPlus simulations and analyse results.

• Heating design calculations for sizing heating systems
• Cooling design calculations for sizing cooling systems
• Setting up and running simulations
• Analysing simulation results
• Exporting data and compiling reports

Natural Ventilation

• Scheduled natural ventilation and infiltration
• Calculated natural ventilation

Daylighting

• Introduction to Daylighting

Detailed HVAC

• Introduction to Detailed HVAC

• Activity setpoints, fresh air settings and HVAC Zone groups

• Adding zone equipment

• Introduction to HVAC loops
• Hot water and plant loops, Boilers
• Generic air loops, AHUs
• Refrigeration cycle

• Chilled water loops, Chillers and Fan Coil Units

• Condenser loop, Cooling towers
• Heated floors

CFD

• Introduction to External CFD analysis

Other Video Learning Resources

• Demo of DesignBuilder Simulation capabilities
• Getting started tutorials
• DesignBuilder Webinars

Note: These Tutorials and Webinars are also available on the Learn section of the DesignBuilder website and on the DesignBuilder YouTube Channel