Video Tutorials

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

Tip: Most people learn most effectively by "doing" rather than "watching" so please do 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!

Introductory Tutorials

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

• 000 Introduction to Tutorials: Tutorial concept and freely available resources

• 001 DesignBuilder User Interface – Modelling: Opening screen, loading a model, screen layout, navigation

• 002 DesignBuilder User Interface – Model Data: Site level, model data tabs, data hierarchy and inheritance

• 003 DesignBuilder User Interface – Simulation Screens: Overview of visualisation and calculation screens

Basic Geometry

These tutorials cover the key areas needed to get started, including how to quickly create and edit building geometry, automated adjacency assignment, importing/exporting models from/to other tools, and creating thermal zones using partitions.

• 101 Starting a new project

• 102 Blocks and dimensioning protocols

• 103 Adding blocks and using the measure tool

• 104 Shading using standard component blocks

• 105 Setting adjacency conditions using ground and adiabatic blocks

• 106 Selecting, moving, cloning and deleting objects

• 107 Stretch, drag face and rotate tools

• 108 Add surface, increment snaps

• 109 Adding a roof, construction lines

• 110 Outline blocks, Boolean operations

• 111 Cutting blocks, protractor tool

• 112 Drawing arcs, circles and domes

• 113 Importing drawing files

• 114 Partitioning blocks to create zones

• 115 Drawing holes and merging zones

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.

• 201 Model data hierarchy and inheritance

• 202 Program and Model Options

• 203 Data templates

• 204 Site level data and weather files

• 205 Activity data templates and time schedules

• 206 Construction data

• 207 Create and edit constructions

• 208 Glazing and openings

• 209 Drawing windows and doors

• 210 Creating new glazing types

• 211 Shading via louvres, overhangs, and side fins

• 212 Lighting data and daylight controls

• 213 Simple HVAC Data

• 214 Timings, schedules and profiles

• 215 Compact schedules

• 216 Hourly weather data

Calculations

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

• 301 Model Data Grid View & QA checking

• 302 Heating Design Calculations

• 303 Cooling Design Calculations

• 304 Setting up simulations

• 305 Analysing results in DesignBuilder’s interface

• 306 Simulation Manager and Results viewer

Detailed HVAC

• 401 Introduction to Detailed HVAC

• 402 HVAC zone groups and components

• 403 Adding loops and connecting components

• 404 Editing HVAC loop and component properties

• 405 Chilled water loops chillers and fan coil units

• 406 Condenser loops cooling tower

• 407 Adding air loops and AHUs

• 408 Editing Generic air loop and system components

• 409 Running Detailed HVAC simulations

• 410 Radiant surfaces

Natural Ventilation

• 501 Scheduled natural ventilation and infiltration

• 502 Calculated natural ventilation

• 503 Mixed mode ventilation

Daylighting

• Introduction to Daylighting

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 Training section of the DesignBuilder website and on the DesignBuilder YouTube Channel