These “get you started” tutorials cover the latest key features in DesignBuilder, and are produced in short sessions so that you can quickly and easily dip into specific topics of interest. They provide a valuable resource for existing DesignBuilder users to refresh their knowledge on areas of the software they may not have used for a while. Also, for those new to DesignBuilder, the tutorials will provide a nice logical way to learn the software basics. Please note that although the tutorials use SI units you can easily change to IP units in Program Options. You must be logged in to view these tutorials, if you do not have a username and password, please click here to register.
You may find it helpful to cross-reference the tutorial you view with the content in the Program Help. People generally learn most effectively by “doing” rather than “watching”, so please do try out the techniques shown in the tutorials while they are fresh in your mind before moving on to the next tutorial. And above all, we hope you find the tutorials useful and fun!
1. Introductory Tutorials
- 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
2. 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
We will be progressively releasing new tutorials in the months ahead. The new tutorials will be added to the list above and will ultimately replace the legacy tutorials below.
The legacy tutorials below are not up to date and miss some important functionality. In general we advise not using the legacy tutorials, but you may still find them useful as an introduction if a newer tutorial on that topic is not available above. If the content you need is not yet available in a new tutorial, we highly recommend you read the relevant program help topic. Also, our new on-demand online training is based on the latest software and provides step by step guidance on the fundamentals of modelling in DesignBuilder. You can find more information on this training content here.
3. 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 – templates, selecting constructions
- Constructions data 2 – adding new constructions, performance, applying to surfaces
- 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, Domestic Hot Water (DHW)
- Timing, schedules, profiles and holidays
- Hourly weather data
4. Heating Design, Cooling Design and Simulation
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
5. Natural Ventilation
6. Daylighting
7. Detailed HVAC
- Introduction to Detailed HVAC
- Activity setpoints, Fresh air settings and HVAC Zone groups
- Adding zone equipment
- Introduction to HVAC loops
- Hot water plant loops, boilers
- Generic air loops, air handling units
- Refrigeration cycle
- Chilled water loops, Chillers and Fan Coil Units
- Condenser loop, Cooling towers
- Heated floors
8. CFD
Other Video Learning Resources
- Demo of DesignBuilder Simulation capabilities
- DesignBuilder v4 SBEM Update tutorial
- DesignBuilder Webinars
- DesignBuilder on-demand online training content.
- You can find all of these tutorials and our other videos on the DesignBuilder YouTube channel.
